Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Tommy, a Native American, was the new boy at school. "I hate this school!"
he decided. "The kids are so dumb! They think we wear war paint and feathers and
say, 'Ugh! How! Me Big Chief Tommy Hawk.'"
 

"Someone's teased you, I see," said Mom with a smile.

"It's not funny," replied Tommy, almost in tears.

Mom was sympathetic. "I'm sorry, honey. I do know what it's like," she assured him. "I'm a Native American, too. I'm proud of my heritage, but no matter were you live, there will be people with prejudices." Mom put an arm around Tommy. 

"Prejudices," said Tommy. "What's that?"

"Prejudices are opinions people form before the facts are known. People who are prejudiced often dislike those who are different from themselves," Mom told him. "Now . . . tell me about the kids in your class."

"Well, except for their dumb ideas about us, they're just regular kids," said Tommy. "There's one girl, though, who's different. Her name is Marta, and every day, a chauffeur in a big Cadillac brings her to school and picks her up. She's a snob! She goes around with her nose in the air and never speaks to anyone."

"You don't even know Marta," scolded Mom, "but you're judging her like others judged you."

"But, Mom . . ." began Tommy.

"There are prejudices besides racial ones," said Mom. "Some people are prejudiced against other religions or against the disabled. Some are prejudiced against the rich or the poor. All prejudices are wrong -- they poison the mind of the person who has them."

Tommy knew Mom was right. "Okay. I'll talk to Marta and try to be her friend," he said slowly.

"Good," approved Mom, "and try not to be too sensitive
when others tease you. After all, everyone is laughed at sometimes -- for being too
fat or too skinny or redheaded or freckle-faced or too smart or too dumb. If you
can laugh when kids tease you, it will be much easier for you, and you'll show
them that you're very much like they are."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tease or avoid someone who is different from you? This is not pleasing to God. Ask Him to forgive you, and determine to treat those people you think are "different" just as you like to be treated yourself.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 2:9)
But if you show favoritism, you sin.

[Soldier4Christ]

Nick was passing the kitchen door when he heard his little brother's
voice. "Dad, can I ple-e-e-ease have those shoes? They're the kind Jerome Ford
wears."
 

Nick grinned as he went into the kitchen. "You think that since Jerome Ford is a basketball star, those shoes will automatically make you into a great basketball player, too. Right, Scott?" Nick shook his head. "Wrong!" he added.

Scott fidgeted. "Well . . . they might help," he said.

Nick laughed. "Hey -- if you buy a Princeton Heroes shirt, too, maybe they'll invite you to play on their football team!" he teased.

Dad smiled. "Instead of teasing your brother, maybe you can help him understand that effort, not a fancy pair of shoes, will help make him a good basketball player," he suggested.

Nick nodded. "Dad's right," he said. "If you practice every day, Scott, you'll get better and better, no matter what kind of shoes you wear."

Scott looked a bit disappointed. "Guess I'll start practicing then," he said with a sigh as he headed for the backyard basketball hoop.

Nick grinned at his dad. "I was going to our Junior High Bible study," he said, "but maybe I'll go help Scott with his basketball practice instead."

Dad motioned toward Nick's Bible. "Is that the Bible Grandma gave you last Christmas?" asked Dad.

Nick nodded. "Yep. It's a nice one, isn't it?"

Dad nodded thoughtfully. "Nice shoes and nice Bibles are great, but by themselves, they don't make you a good player or help you grow spiritually, do they?"

It took a moment before Nick realized what his dad was
driving at. "Scott needs to practice to become a better basketball player," said
Nick slowly, "and I need to study the Bible and practice the things it teaches
in order to become a stronger Christian, right?" He picked up his Bible and
looked at it. "Guess I'd better be on my way to Bible study after all," he
decided. "I don't want to be late for 'practice'!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to become a stronger Christian? To be good at sports, you need to learn the rules and spend time practicing. To learn to live as a Christian should, you need to use your Bible and put into practice the things you learn.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:9)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

[Soldier4Christ]

With his books scattered all around, Austin hunched over the library
table. "May I sit here?" asked his sister Shelly. Austin nodded and kept
reading. "Isn't this rain yukky?" Shelly whispered, looking out the window.
 

Austin jumped as a clap of thunder startled him. "Uh huh," he muttered. "Now leave me alone."

"This rain will ruin our family reunion," Shelly complained. "We'll be stuck inside listening to Uncle George's stupid jokes. We . . ."

"Will you shut up?" Austin demanded loudly. The librarian gave him a stern look. "Can't you see I'm working?" continued Austin, speaking softer, but with a threatening glare.

At the supper table that evening, Shelly's complaining increased. She listed all the problems the rain caused her. "I wish it never rained!" she declared.

"Places where it never rains are called deserts, dum-dum," Austin told her. "That's what my report is about. Deserts are so dry that hardly any plants can grow there. The mesquite tree sometimes sends its roots hundreds of feet into the ground to search for water. When it does rain, the barrel cactus swells with water and then shrinks again as it uses the water. And the . . ."

"Austin told me to shut up at the library," tattled Shelly, interrupting her brother. Austin kicked her under the table.

"Austin! You know better than to talk like that!" scolded Mom. 

"Well, she's always a pest," grumbled Austin.

Mom frowned. "Watch your tongue, Austin," she said. "I've noticed that you've been having trouble with it lately."

"Austin, maybe you need to be more like that mesquite
tree and barrel cactus you told us about-maybe you need to 'drink' more deeply
from God's Word," suggested Dad. "In fact, we should all have a thirst for His
Word. It would be nice if we were as motivated to read the Bible as those desert
plants are to get water. If we were swelling up with God's Word, good words
would be coming out of our mouths and we'd have a desire to get along with one
another."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of words come from your mouth? Your words reflect what's in your heart. Read God's Word, think about it, and ask Him to help you understand and obey it. As His Word fills your heart, good thoughts, words, and actions will come out.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 12:34)
Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

[Soldier4Christ]

Shelly secretly gloated because her parents had pointedly reminded her
brother Austin of his need to learn to control his tongue. "Austin is always
nasty to me," she complained aloud. She looked out the window. "He's almost as
bad as the rain!" she added. "I hate rain! I wish . . ." Her words were
interrupted by Dad's voice.
 

"As for you, Shelly," said Dad, "you need to quit complaining so much. Remember what Austin said? Places where there is little or no rain are deserts." The smug, self-satisfied look disappeared from Shelly's face. "Without rain, you wouldn't have enjoyed the mashed potatoes that we had for supper tonight," Dad added.

"Or the apple pie we're going to have for dessert," said Mom.

"But rain always ruins our plans," whined Shelley.

"It doesn't ruin God's plans," said Dad.

Mom nodded. "It isn't always easy to accept what God has for us," she said, "but I think those desert plants have a lesson for you, too. Dad reminded us that we all need to 'drink' deeply from God's Word, remember? When we do that, it helps us to accept the 'rain' that falls in our lives, as well as the rain that falls outside."

"Rain in our lives?" asked Shelly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the disappointments and difficult circumstances that we all must face at one time or another," replied Mom. "We need to accept what God allows to happen to us, and realize that He is working all things for our good."

"Someone put it this way, 'Every cloud has a silver
lining,'" said Dad. "God said it even better. In Romans 8:28, He says, 'We know
that all things work together for good to them that love God.' Whenever it
rains-whether it's literal rain coming from the sky or difficult times in our
lives-we need to remember that God is in control and knows what is best. When we
remember that God uses rain to bring good things, we can stop
complaining."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your difficulties seem like "rain"? Do you complain and grumble? Let rain remind you that God truly does know what is best for you. God uses rain to bring good things.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 147:7-8)
God . . . supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

[Soldier4Christ]

Derek frowned as he listened to his Sunday school teacher. "Each person
makes his own choice as to where he'll go-to heaven or to hell," said Mr.
Jackson.
 

Derek wasn't so sure. "Who would ever choose to go to hell?" he asked.

"If you fail to accept Jesus, who is the way to heaven, you're choosing your own way, which is the way to hell," explained Mr. Jackson. Derek just shrugged.

A few days later, Derek and his friend Eliot went to the Natural History Museum. While they were looking at fossils, the fire alarm rang. Immediately a security guard yelled, "Fire! Come this way-follow me!" He headed for a nearby door.

The people hurried after the guard, but Derek saw another door that was closer. "Let's go this way. We can get out faster!" he said.

"No!" replied Eliot. "The guard knows the way to the fire escape. Come on!"

Derek hesitated. There may not even be a fire at all, he thought. Just then, another museum employee came along, making sure everyone was moving in the right direction to leave the building.

The next Sunday, Derek and Eliot told their teacher all about the excitement they had experienced. Mr. Jackson nodded. "Suppose you hadn't believed the guard, or suppose you had chosen to try a different way out," he said. "What would have happened?"

"We'd have been in trouble . . . big trouble!" said Derek. "In fact, I almost didn't follow the guard." 

"If you had failed to follow the guard to safety, you would have been choosing to stay in the burning building, right?" asked Mr. Jackson.

"Right," agreed Derek. "It's a good thing I followed him."

"That's an example of how failure to believe Jesus and
follow Him to heaven is choosing to follow Satan to hell," said Mr. Jackson.
Derek was startled. As he thought about it, he had to admit that Mr. Jackson was
right-and he decided to talk to him about it some more.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Which way are you heading-to heaven or to hell? The choice is yours. If you haven't trusted in Jesus as your Savior, you've chosen to continue on the way to hell. If that is true, won't you choose today to give your life to Jesus?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 12:30)
(Jesus said) He who is not with me is against me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ellen was pouting when she and her mother returned home from shopping one
day. "What's the matter, sourface?" asked her brother Jake.
 

"Oh, shut up!" Ellen growled. "Mom gets you everything you want, but she wouldn't buy a thing for me. All I wanted was a 'smile' shirt."

Jake howled with laughter. "A smile shirt on you?" he asked. "That would be a joke! Besides, who wears those things? But then, you never do know what's 'in' and what's not. Ow!" he yelled when his sister hit him. He promptly hit her back.

Dad stepped in. "Break it up," he said. "The place I'd like to see a smile is on your faces for a change."

The next Sunday, Jake and Ellen got ready to go to Sunday school. They attended church regularly, and both had accepted Jesus as Savior, but their parents were not Christians. "Why don't you come to church with us today?" suggested Jake hopefully.

"Count me out!" exclaimed Dad. "You two fight constantly. If that's all the good your religion does you, I want nothing to do with it." Jake and Ellen didn't know what to say.

"We've got to quit fighting," Ellen told Jake later. "If we don't, Mom and Dad will never listen when we try to tell them how to be saved." 

Jake nodded. "Let's try really hard," he said.

They did try hard, and they asked Jesus to help them. It wasn't long before their parents noticed the difference. A vase was broken one day, and instead of blaming each other, both Ellen and Jake admitted that they were at fault. Dad was amazed! "I never thought I'd see the day!" he exclaimed.

The next Sunday, Dad surprised them all. "I don't suppose your mother and I are too old for church and Sunday school, are we?" he asked.

"You mean . . . you'll go?" Jake asked.

"If your mother would like to," Dad replied, and Mom
nodded. Jake and Ellen cheered. "Look!" Dad laughed. "That brought smiles to
their faces!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your actions and attitude show that you're a Christian? Each day ask Jesus  to help you be cheerful and pleasant to those around you. Let others see that you no longer let Satan have his way in your life.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Conner jumped from the car and hurried over to the dugout, eager to play
in his weekly baseball game. "Conner, I want you to take right field," said
Coach Norton. As the boys ran out to the field, the coach called,
"Remember-teamwork!"
 

Conner's team was ahead by one run when he headed out to right field in the last inning of the game. The first batter for the other team hit the ball on the second pitch and ran safely to first base. The second batter bunted, getting out but successfully advancing the runner to second base. The third batter took a few practice swings and then positioned himself inside the batter's box. He struck the ball hard, sending it high into the outfield.

Conner reached for the ball as it flew toward him. Thud! He caught it! He heard the people in the stands scream in unison. "Third base! Third base!" Quickly Conner threw the ball. It reached Chad, the boy at second base. Chad caught it and threw it to third base. The player at third caught the ball just in time to tag the runner who was sliding into third base. "Out!" shouted the umpire. The people in the bleachers responded with whistles, clapping, and hollering.

Teamwork, Conner thought to himself, and he smiled broadly as he ran to the dugout.

"Good job!" said his dad as they drove back home.

"It took three of us guys to get that last player out, but we got him," said Conner with a grin. "Like my coach said, it took teamwork."

When they reached home, Conner hurried into the house. "I have to change my clothes and get over to church to help my Sunday school class clean up the church yard," he said. "Some of us will do that while the rest of the kids paint our classroom."

Dad nodded. "Teamwork!" he said. "Christians need to
work as a team, too. We're all part of the Body of Christ, yet each person has a
different position to fill. Some people might think that cleaning is a small,
unimportant job, but we each need to do our part-whether it means witnessing in
the streets, teaching Sunday school, or cleaning up the church
yard."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a faithful "team member" of the Body of Christ? Teamwork is simply doing your part, whether it's helping a friend, witnessing, praying for someone, or obeying and helping at home. God honors teamwork.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Cor. 12:27)
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

[Soldier4Christ]

That was Max, Damian told his sister as he hung up the phone. "He wants me
to help him get even with Mr. Riley for chasing us off his property, but I'm not
helping. I keep remembering that verse Grandpa Horne taught us-'Love does no
harm to its neighbor.'"
 

Patty nodded. "Let's go tell Grandpa," she said, so they got out their bikes and rode to their grandfather's house. 

When Grandpa finally opened the door, they greeted him eagerly, but he didn't invite them in. "I can't visit with you today," said Grandpa slowly, "but I hope you've learned that verse-Psalm 22:11. You go on home and study it some more. That's Psalm 22:11. You can say it to me another day." He quickly closed the door upon the two puzzled children.

"I wonder why Grandpa wants us to learn Psalm 22:11," said Damian as they started off on their bikes.

"Yeah." Patty nodded. "I wonder what it says. Let's look it up-I still have my Bible in my bike bag." They stopped and quickly looked up the verse. After reading it, they gasped and hurried to get help.

About an hour later, they were again at Grandpa's house, this time with their mother. A policeman was there, and he explained that two thieves had broken in. They had kept a gun pointed at Grandpa while he answered the door. Then they had tied him up, and they were hunting for all the valuable things they could find when they were interrupted by the police. "How did you kids know there was trouble?" asked the policeman.

"Grandpa acted funny, and he sent us away with a Scripture reference," explained Patty. "When we looked it up, we knew he must be in trouble." She grinned. "The verse said, 'Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.'"

Damian spoke up. "Grandpa, one of the verses I learned helped me do the right thing today. If the thieves had God's Word in their hearts, maybe they would have wanted to do the right thing, too. Then they wouldn't have broken in here."

"That's right," Grandpa agreed. "The Bible is sharper
than a two-edged sword. It's our weapon against sin-and a mighty weapon at
that!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you using your "weapon "-the Bible? Read it. Memorize it. Then, apply the lessons you learn from it to your daily life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 4:12)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.

[Soldier4Christ]

Maybe my stomach will feel better if I lay a different way, thought Sara
as she very carefully rolled onto her side.
 

"Do you think you could handle a little soup?" her father asked.

Sara shook her head. She closed her eyes and tried again to get comfortable on the couch.

"I'm sorry you have to miss Nicole's party," said Dad.

"Me, too," murmured Sara, "but I told Nicole she could come over here next weekend. We could have a late birthday celebration-just the two of us." Sara rolled over onto her back. "Dad, could you get me another blanket?" she asked. "I'm cold."

"Sure, honey," replied Dad "Got one right here."

Sara smiled as her dad covered her up all the way to her chin. "It's kind of nice having you take care of me while Mom is gone to her meeting. When I feel better, can we play a game?"

"Now, that's a good idea." Dad sat on the end of the couch and rubbed Sara's feet gently. "Know what, honey? I appreciate the fact that you're not fussing about missing Nicole's party. Her mom always fixes a big feast for you kids, and you always enjoy it."

"Yeah," said Sara, "but it sure doesn't sound good today."

"Well, you and I are having a feast right here at home," said Dad.

Sara opened her eyes in surprise. "Not me," she said, "and all you had was soup. That's no feast."

"When we have a cheerful heart, Sara, we have a continual feast," responded Dad. 

"Did you make that up just because you think it will make me feel better?" asked Sara.

Dad shook his head. "That's from God's Word," he said. "I said that because you have a good attitude about getting sick and missing the party."

"And that's a feast?" asked Sara.

"A feast for our spirits," said Dad. He covered Sara's
toes and turned out the light. "Now rest. Before you know it, you'll be able to
give your stomach a feast, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you trust God even in times of disappointment? Or are you quick to complain and fuss when things don't go as you want? If you're truly trusting God, you can have a cheerful and hopeful attitude.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 15:15)
The cheerful heart has a continual feast.

[Soldier4Christ]

I miss Grandma so much, said Lindsey one day shortly after her grandmother
died. "I wish she had gotten to see Josie's baby, but now she never will-at
least not on this earth!" Josie was Lindsey's older sister. She lived far away,
and she had a brand new baby girl.
 

"Try to remember that God knows best, honey," encouraged Dad, "and time helps to heal wounds, too." That was true, and laughter did return to Lindsey's home.

Lindsey was at a friend's house one evening when her father phoned to tell her to come home. "Can't I stay here a little longer?" begged Lindsey.

"Not today," said Dad. "I want you to come home right away."

Reluctantly, Lindsey headed home. When she got there and opened the door, a familiar voice called out, "Surprise!" It was Josie and her husband, with Baby Jane!

"Ooohhh!" breathed Lindsey. "Let me hold the baby! She's so cute! Don't you think she looks like me?"

Lindsey's brother laughed. "You both have red noses, if that's what you mean. Only resemblance I see," he teased.

What a happy time they had-visiting, admiring the baby, and just being together! "I still wish Grannie could have seen Janie," said Lindsey wistfully.

"I know, but I think having Josie and her family come home is a little like the homecoming that took place in heaven when Grandma went to her heavenly home," said Dad. "It had been eight years since she was with Grandpa. And then there was her baby who died when he was six months old, and her brother who was killed in the war . . . and lots of other relatives and friends who went to heaven before she did. But best of all, she's now with Jesus."

Lindsey was thoughtful. "You mean God called her home to
heaven like you called me home tonight?" she asked. Dad nodded. "Well . . . I'm
glad you said I had to come home right away-especially since Josie won't be here
very long-and I'm sure Grandma's glad to be home in heaven, too," murmured
Lindsey. "I know she's even happier there than we are here with our family all
together."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone you love gone to heaven? When it hurts, remember how happy he or she is. God knows what is best. Trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 1:21)
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

[Soldier4Christ]

It seems like Mom and Dad have been away forever! said David one day. "Why
are they gone so long?"
 

Hannah smiled at her little brother. "Dad's firm is opening an office in Florida, and we're all going to move there. You know that, David," she said. "Dad had to go ahead to attend some business meetings, and Mom went along to check out housing and the school situation."

"They shouldn't be gone too much longer now that they've found a house," said Grandma, who was staying with the children while their parents were away.

"You know what Jenny Simpson said today?" asked Hannah. "She said Dad and Mom left us for good and that they're never coming back for us."

"You didn't believe a word of that, did you, honey?" asked Grandma.

Hannah shook her head. "Nope. I know they'll come back. They said they would. They promised!"

"That's right," said Grandma, "and when they get here, we need to be ready for them. Since you'll be moving soon, there's a lot that needs to be done."

"Let's have everything in tip-top shape when they get back," said Hannah, and everyone got busy. 

"Can you think of anyone else who's getting a place ready for His children?" asked Grandma.

"Ah . . . who?" asked David.

"I can't think of anybody, either," said Hannah.

"Jesus is doing that," said Grandma, "and we don't know when He's coming, either, but we know He will come because He said He would." She smiled. "We're working hard to be ready when your parents return, and we should be working hard to be ready for the Lord's return, too. We should be doing our best to live the way He wants us to live-loving and serving Him, avoiding sinful things, getting along with one another, and telling friends about Jesus."

"I wonder who will come first-Mom and Dad or Jesus," said Hannah. She looked anxiously at Grandma. "I kind of hope Mom and Dad do," she added, "and that we'll all be together when Jesus comes. Is that bad?"

Grandma shook her head. "It's natural," she said, "but if
Jesus comes first, you won't be sorry. You'll be glad!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that Jesus is coming back? He went to prepare a place for His children, and when the time is right, He'll come back for them. Get ready for His return. Do the things that please Him. Remember-it could be today!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:3)
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

[Soldier4Christ]

Nate walked into the house and plopped down on the couch next to his dad.
"Why so gloomy?" asked Dad as he put the newspaper down.
 

"I tried to be friendly to Paul-the new boy in my class," said Nate, "but he hardly talked to me. I asked if he wanted to sit with me for lunch. He said, 'No.'"

"Any idea why he acted that way?" asked Dad.

"Mike says Paul had to change schools because his dad is in jail and his mom had to sell their house and move to an apartment." Nate sighed. "I tried to be kind, like the Bible says, but it didn't work."

"So Paul has a lot of things on his mind," said Dad.

"I know, but doesn't he need a friend?" asked Nate.

Dad folded the newspaper. "Remember the day you broke your leg?" he asked. "Your friends came over with some books and games to cheer you up, right?" Nate nodded. "As I recall," said Dad, "you weren't much interested in them that day. Your pain medicine made you sleepy, but if you didn't take it, your leg hurt so much! You didn't feel good enough to do anything, so Mom asked the kids to come back when you were feeling better. Remember?"

Nate nodded. "Yeah, that was a bad day," he said.

"You just wanted to be left alone for a while," said Dad, "and Paul may feel like that, too. With all the difficult things that have happened in his life recently, he must be hurting. Maybe he doesn't have energy to put toward making friends right now."

"Maybe not," agreed Nate. As he went to his room and got ready to study, he had an idea. He took a piece of paper and wrote this note: "To Paul-I'm sorry if I bugged you today. I won't do that anymore. How about if I be your silent friend? If you want to play with me, just let me know, okay? Nate."

The next morning, Nate saw Paul standing alone on the school playground. Nate walked over and handed him the note. "What's that?" asked Paul.

Nate decided to remain a silent friend, so he just
smiled. As he left, he glanced back over his shoulder. Paul was reading the
note, and Nate thought he saw a small grin appear on Paul's
face.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you glad when other kids do well- and sorry if they're hurting? God wants you to be sensitive to the feelings of others. Be friendly, but don't be upset if someone seems to prefer being left alone. Don't try to force anyone to do things with you. Pray about the situation, and help whenever you can.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:15)
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

[Soldier4Christ]

Judy cringed as she sipped her lemonade. Finally, she pushed the glass
away. "This isn't as good as usual," she complained. "It's awfully sour."
 

"That's odd," said Mom. "It's the same brand we've always used. Maybe you didn't put enough sugar in it."

Judy frowned and crossed her arms. "This lemonade is like Megan," she said. "They're both sour."

"Megan is sour?" asked Mom. "You mean Megan Jones from church? She always seems like such a sweet Christian girl to me."

"She may be a Christian, but she's not sweet anymore," said Judy. "Ever since she didn't make the cheerleading team, she's been really nasty."

"Really! Well, don't be too hard on her, honey," said Mom. "Disappointment is painful, but I'm sure she'll come around."

Judy shrugged her shoulders and again took her glass and sipped a little of the lemonade. She glanced at the pitcher standing on the table. Then she snapped her fingers. "I've just figured out why this lemonade is so sour," she said. "I put sugar in the pitcher, but then I didn't stir it! Look! You can see the sugar in the bottom!" Judy got out a spoon and stirred the lemonade. Then she tried it again. "That's much better!" she exclaimed.

Mom smiled. "You were right when you compared Megan to that lemonade," she said. "All the sugar was at the bottom of the pitcher, so the lemonade was sour-like Megan-until you stirred the sweetness through it. I believe Megan is a Christian, so the sweetness of God's love must be hidden at the bottom of her heart right now. It needs to be stirred up, too. Maybe the Lord can use you to bring some of her sweetness to the surface again."

"How would I do that?" asked Judy.

"First of all, pray for her," suggested Mom. "Be kind and
understanding. Remind her that God loves her, and let her see that you're
concerned about her, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know Christians who get upset or "sour" at times? Instead of reacting with indifference or anger, be kind and patient. Pray for them, and let them see that both you and God care for them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:12)
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

[Soldier4Christ]

Bud, who was a new Christian, came home one day with a swollen lip and a
black eye. "Bud!" exclaimed Dad. "Have you been in a fight?"
 

"We-e-ll, yeah," admitted Bud.

Dad frowned. "What happened?" he asked. "Who started it?"

"Tyler did," said Bud quickly, "and besides, the Bible tells us to fight. I know there are verses about putting on armor, and I read one the other day about fighting a good fight of faith. This was a real good one!"

Dad sighed. "I thought you knew that those Bible verses were talking about things like defending your faith-and about boldly witnessing for Christ," he said.

"That's what I was doing!" said Bud. "See . . . Tyler heard me say I was a Christian. He told me-right in front of all the kids-that Christians are sissies. I told him he was a liar, and to take a swing at me if he dared. The next thing I knew, he hit me! But I won. He's got two black eyes and a bloody nose!" Bud grinned. "I sat on his back and twisted his arm and made him apologize for saying Christians were sissies. Then I asked him if he wanted to be a Christian, too, and I twisted his arm till he said he did."

"Oh-h-h," moaned Dad, "you didn't, Bud! I'm sure you know better than that!"

"Well, I was fighting for Jesus," insisted Bud. "Like I said-I even got him to say he wanted to be a Christian."

"You know you can never force anyone to be a Christian," said Dad. "A person has to decide of his own free will that he wants to be saved. God's Word says, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit'! The Spirit of Christ was that of meekness, love, and kindness. Christians are to be like Him."

"You mean . . .  just be nice to Tyler when he makes fun of Christians?" asked Bud.

Dad nodded. "People made fun of Jesus, and He died in
shame for them-and for us," he answered. "Is it asking so much that we take a
little teasing for Him? Try apologizing and being Tyler's friend. Then maybe you
really can win him to the Lord."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you fighting battles for Jesus with the right weapons? Today's Scripture does not mention fists. It mentions truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. Use those things to win even your enemies to Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Zechariah 4:6)
'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.

[Soldier4Christ]

Brian was sprawled on his bed with a book when his big brother came into
the room. "Guess what, Brian? Brett Klein was just here, and he accepted the
Lord as his Savior," said Seth. "Isn't that great?"
 

"I guess so," Brian answered halfheartedly. He frowned. "But what happens if he sins again? Or even you-what if you sin again?" he asked. "I mean . . . right now you're a good Christian, but what if you start doing things like smoking pot or stealing? Would you still belong to God then?"

"You mean you think I don't sin?" Seth asked with a smile. "Wow! Go on thinking that!" Then he became very serious. "I'm God's child forever," he said. "When I do something wrong, I'm not in good fellowship with God until I confess and repent of my sin, but that doesn't mean I'm not saved any longer."

Brian still wasn't so sure. "I'm going to wait to accept the Lord till I'm sure I can live right," he said, and none of Seth's arguments could change his mind.

One day, Brian's family learned that a boy from their neighborhood had run away from home. "Mr. and Mrs. Phiefer are so upset," Mom told the boys. "They're hoping and praying they'll hear from Bobby soon. I told them we'd pray about it, too."

Seth nodded. Then he turned to his brother. "Hey, Brian, too bad Bobby's not a Phiefer anymore, isn't it?" he asked.

"What are you talking about?" asked Brian.

"Didn't you hear what Mom said?" asked Seth. "Bobby ran away-he left the Phiefers."

"Sure, but he's still their son," said Brian. "They still love him, and they want him to come home."

Seth grinned. "I'm just teasing you," he admitted, "but I'm doing it to point out something. I want you to see that just like Bobby still belongs to the Phiefer family, a Christian who sins still belongs to God's family. He can't enjoy the privileges of being God's child until he makes things right with God. God may have to discipline him, but he still is God's child."

Slowly, Brian nodded his head. He was beginning to
understand.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you put off accepting Jesus because you think you can't live the way a Christian should? You'll need God's help, but don't forget-once you're born into God's family, you are His child forever. Nothing can change that.    Become a child of God today.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 10:28)
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.