Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 Instruction Manual

"I've got to get my things packed so I'll be ready when Aunt Marge comes to pick me up," said Brian, sliding off his chair after supper. He was excited about spending a whole week with his uncle and aunt on their farm.

When Aunt Marge arrived later that evening, Brian was waiting, and soon they were on their way. Brian looked at the clock in the dashboard of the car. "Aunt Marge, your clock is wrong," he said as they drove down the street. "It says it's only six o'clock, but it's really seven o'clock already."

"I know!" said Aunt Marge. "Nobody changed the clock when the time changed this spring. I always intend to do it, but somehow I never get at it."

"Can I fix it?" asked Brian. "How do you do it?"

"Actually, I don't know," said Aunt Marge. "I haven't had this car very long yet, and I'll have to get out the instruction manual to see how it works." She glanced out the back window, then over toward Brian. "Brian, will you please roll down your window and adjust that side mirror?" she asked. "It needs to be tilted up a little."

"Don't you have a button to move it from the inside?" asked Brian as he opened the window.

Aunt Marge shrugged. "I don't know that, either," she said.

Brian grinned. "You better read your instruction manual, Aunt Marge. It sure won't do you any good in the glove compartment," he teased as he adjusted the mirror.

Aunt Marge grinned. "That's true," she agreed. "Instruction manuals are meant to be read and followed, not just stashed away. Our pastor pointed that out just last Sunday."

"He did?" asked Brian. "He talked about cars?"

"Not the instruction manuals for cars," replied Aunt Marge. "He talked about our 'manual for living.' Do you know what that is?"

"The Bible," guessed Brian. "That must be why Dad makes us read it every day."

   Aunt Marge nodded. "It gives operating instructions for our lives," she replied. "Now, there's a manual I have had time to read!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you listen carefully when God's Word is read? Do you read it for yourself? Do you do what it says? It's important to follow the instructions God gives. Use your Bible regularly so that you will know how God wants you to live. Then do what He tells you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2

[Soldier4Christ]

 The First Tomatoes

"I don't see why I always have to put some of the money I earn in the church collection," grumbled Amos. He fumbled in his pocket and reluctantly took out some coins, which he set aside. "I've got only a couple of dollars left now," he complained. "It just doesn't seem fair!"

"Amos," began Mom, but before she could continue, the kitchen door jerked open and Tara dashed into the room.

"Mom!" squealed Tara, holding her hands behind her back. "Guess what?"

"We give up. What?" Amos asked.

Tara flashed a triumphant grin at her mother and brother. "Look!" she exclaimed, holding out both hands. In each one lay a big, red tomato! "My very first tomatoes are ripe already!" She looked at her brother and laughed. "I told you they were getting ripe fast, and you said they wouldn't be ready for a long time yet. But here they are!" She set the tomatoes on the table.

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Mom. "They look delicious? Shall we have them for dinner tonight?"

"Yeah," said Tara.

Amos frowned at his sister. "Grandma gave you those plants, and Grandpa helped you plant them and taught you how to take care of them," he said, "so I think it's only fair for you to give these first two tomatoes to them."

"Oh, that's a cool idea," agreed Tara. "Grandma and Grandpa get these! Okay, Mom?"

Mom smiled and nodded. "That was a good idea, Amos," she said gently. "Here's something else to think about . . . God has given you everything you own, right?"

"Sure, Mom," replied Amos easily.

"Then," said Mom, "don't you think it's only fair for you give something back to Him?"

"Oh," murmured Amos. He touched a tomato with one finger. "It's fair and right to give these to Grandpa and Grandma since they provided the plants-and the help-for Tara, and it's fair and right to give some of what I have to God since He provided it for me in the first place." He nodded. "I'll work hard to remember that," he promised.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you give a portion of your allowance or earnings to the Lord's work? Do you give it willingly and cheerfully, or do you do it grudgingly? Remember that everything you have is God's good and generous gift to you, and when you "give" to Him-to His needy people, or to His work here on earth-you are only "giving back" what you received from Him in the first place.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. 1 Chronicles 29:14

[Soldier4Christ]

After school, Daniel took his Bible from his locker and looked around a
little nervously. He knew that if certain kids saw him with a Bible, he'd have
to listen to some taunting remarks. "Hey! Daniel!" called James, a boy from his
church youth group. "You dropped something." As Daniel looked down, James called
"April fool!" and the boys laughed together. "Want to meet at the park and shoot
a few baskets with me and some of the guys?" asked James. Daniel hesitated, and
James noticed the Bible in his hand. "You're not going to that Bible club again,
are you?" asked James.
 

Daniel nodded. "Why don't you come with me?" he asked.

"I get enough of Bible lessons on Sunday," replied James. "Don't you?"

"Not really," said Daniel. "Besides, Pastor Drew said last week that if we attend Bible club, it might encourage other kids to come, too. He said it was one way to be a testimony for God." Daniel hesitated. "I don't always do so good at telling kids about Jesus," he admitted, "so I made up my mind that attending Bible club was one thing I was going to do." The boys headed for the door. "Why don't you come along?" urged Daniel. "You're a Christian, too, aren't you, James?"

"Yeah, sure," mumbled James, "but I don't think it's necessary to talk about it all the time." Actually, he felt rather guilty. "What I mean is . . . well . . . some of the guys already tease me about going to Sunday school. They'll think I'm really a fool if I go to Bible club instead of playing. I bet they'd tell me so, too!"

Daniel thought it over. Then he shrugged. "It's funny," he said. "All day we've been playing jokes and having jokes played on us, and we haven't minded being called an 'April fool.' Well . . . Pastor Drew said we're always somebody's fool-either the world's or Christ's. As for me, I'd rather be a fool for Christ." He turned at the next corner. "We're meeting at the Drews' house today, in case you decide to come," he said. "Otherwise, I'll see you tomorrow." 

James was thoughtful as he watched Daniel hurry down the
street.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid to let others see that you're a Christian? Afraid of being considered a fool? Would you rather be considered a fool by the world or by God? Do things that are wise in God's sight. Live to please Him, not the world. Be a witness and share the Gospel with others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 4:10)
We are fools for Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

One day, Greg went to take some freshly baked cinnamon rolls to Grandpa
Wells. As they sat down at the kitchen table to visit and eat a roll, there was
a knock at the door. "More company?" wondered Grandpa.
 

"Carrie!" exclaimed Greg as the door opened. "What are you doing here? Mom is going to be mad at you! She sent me over here."

"Me, too," said Carrie. "Mommy said I could come, too."

Greg frowned. "Well, at least you didn't just follow me without asking her this time," he said. He turned to Grandpa. "Carrie thinks she has to go everywhere I go and do everything I do," he complained.

 "I reckon that's the highest compliment she could pay you," Grandpa told him. "She looks up to you-you are her example. Where you lead, she will follow."

Greg sighed. "I suppose she does look up to me," he said, "and she follows me like a shadow. She copies everything I do. Every time I sigh, she sighs and says, 'Me, too.'"

Grandpa smiled. "Then you'd better be careful how you sigh," he said.

"Me, too," announced Carrie.

Greg and Grandpa laughed. "Well, Greg and I are having a cinnamon roll, so I think you'd better have one, too," said Grandpa. "Here you go." He placed a roll in front of her, and they enjoyed them together.

"I love Mom's rolls," said Greg.

"Me, too," declared Carrie.

Greg grinned. "Oh, come on, little 'Me, Too.' We've got to get home," he said.

"'Bye, kids," said Grandpa. "Remember, Greg, you're setting an example. Ask God to help you set a good one."

Greg glanced at Carrie as she thrust her hand into his
and trotted along beside him. He had never realized what a responsibility he had
to be a good example. All right, he thought, I'm going to be the best example I
can possibly be. He knew Grandpa was right-he would need the Lord's
help.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Everyone is both a follower and a leader. You follow someone, and someone follows you. That gives you a great responsibility. Ask God to help you be a good example for those who look up to you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 4:12)
Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Gayle strolled toward the counter and picked up a container of dirt. She
frowned as she looked at it. "I planted pumpkin seeds in here nearly three weeks
ago, Mom. I want them to get a real early start, but the dumb things still
haven't sprouted!" she complained.
 

There was a knock at the door, and Gayle went to see who was there. "Hi, Gayle," said Katie, who lived a few houses down the street. "Can you come out and play?"

"No, not today," replied Gayle. "Maybe another time." She shut the door abruptly and went back inside. "That was just Katie," said Gayle when she returned to the kitchen. "She can't get it through her head that I don't want to play with her anymore."

"Honey, I know Katie called you a bad name a couple of weeks ago," said Mom, "but she did apologize. Don't you think it's high time you forgave her?" Gayle shrugged as she again picked up the container of dirt. She poked around in it and pulled out a seed-just as she had done several times during the past weeks. "Gayle, if you want God to make those seeds grow, stop digging them up," said Mom.

"But I . . ." began Gayle. She sighed. "Okay," she said as she covered the seeds with dirt. "I'm not going to even check these again-I'm just going to bury them and forget about them!"

"Good," said Mom. A minute later she added, "You need to do the same thing with your anger toward Katie-bury it and forget about it!"

"But she . . . she . . ." muttered Gayle as she thought about her mother's advice. Then she grinned. "If I bury my anger and forget about it, will God make it grow?" she asked mischievously.

"Gayle Johnson! You know better," scolded Mom, but she grinned, too. "Okay, I know my illustration isn't perfect, but you know what I mean. Forgetting your anger and forgiving Katie is important to your growth-your spiritual growth."

Gayle nodded, and headed for the door. "I know," she
admitted. "I think I'll go play with Katie for a while."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are "seeds" of anger and "seeds" of unforgiveness keeping you from growing in Christ? Talk to God about them. Ask Him to help you bury them and forget about them so that you can grow spiritually.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Eph. 4:26-27)
In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Karl walked across the room, he bumped his leg on the coffee table. He
muttered something and rubbed the sore spot. Mom looked at him sternly. "Karl!"
she exclaimed. "Did I hear you say 'gosh'?" Karl shrugged and nodded. "Just
yesterday we discussed the seriousness of taking God's name in vain," said Mom,
'and already you're back to your old habits.'
 

"I didn't use God's name," protested Karl. Dad spoke up. "I think you had better get the dictionary," he said. "Look up 'gosh' for us, Karl." 

Reluctantly, Karl did so. "Let's see . . . it says, 'An exclamation of surprise; a euphemism for God. ' What's a euphemism?" he asked.

"Why don't you look that up, too?" suggested Dad, so Karl once again opened the dictionary.

"Here it is," he said after a moment. "It says, 'The substitution of an inoffensive expression for one that may offend. '"

Mom nodded. "It's one word substituted for another. In other words, 'gosh' is a substitute for 'God. ' You'll find that the dictionary says the same thing for 'golly' --  and that 'gee' is a substitute for 'Jesus. '"

"You mean kind of like a nickname?" Karl asked. "Right," answered Dad, "and God has no nicknames. He has many holy and precious titles, but no nicknames."

"But . . . but I don't mean God when I use those words," objected Karl.

"Maybe not, but remember that God holds you responsible for the words you use," said Mom. "These days, many people don't bother with the euphemisms. They come right out and use 'Oh, God' or 'My God' as a form of expression. They may not really mean God, either, when they say those words. Do you think that makes it okay?"

Dad shook his head. "God intends for His name to be used in prayer and praise, not in anger, quarreling, joking, disgust, or even surprise," he said. "Always remember that."

Karl sighed. "Okay," he said. "I'll try to do
better."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Words such as 'gee' and 'gosh' are called 'minced oaths' substitutes for God's name. God's name is holy and is not to be used thoughtlessly. If you're guilty of this sin, confess it to God. He'll help you overcome it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Exodus 20:7)
The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

[Soldier4Christ]

Zack bolted into the kitchen where Mom and Dad were already at the table.
"Sorry I'm late," said Zack as he went to wash his hands. When he returned, he
grinned at his parents. "In football practice today, I ran the ball for a
twenty-yard gain," he said. "I faked left, then I cut to the right . . ." He
grabbed a melon off the counter and zigzagged across the kitchen to demonstrate.

 

Zack sank down in his chair with a happy sigh. "I love football," he said. "Coach says you gotta make it Number One in your life if you really want to be good. He says it can't be just talk. It's got to be practice, practice, practice. Otherwise, when the big game comes, you'll end up just watching from the sidelines." "Practice," murmured Dad. "Practice, practice, practice. That's kind of like what the Lord expects of you. Only He expects you to give Him -- not football --  first place in your life." "

God expects us to practice something?" asked Zack. "What do you mean?" "Well, it takes just as much effort to become the person God wants you to be as it does to become a good football player," said Dad. "To become that kind of person, you need to give God the number one spot in your life. As the coach would say, it can't be just talk. You really have to give Him first place in your life and practice living the way He wants you to live." 

Zack frowned. "Are you saying there's something wrong with football -- and God expects me to give it up?" he asked. He didn't like that idea at all. "I really love football!" he added. 

"There's nothing wrong with football unless you put it
ahead of God," Dad assured him. He grinned at Zack. "In the 'game of life,' God
wants you to be busy playing -- or maybe I should say 'working' -- for Him, whether
you're doing schoolwork, a Sunday school lesson, helping with chores, or playing
football. Be sensitive to what He wants you to do and say, no matter where you
are."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What's the most important thing in your life? Is it sports or clothes or hanging out with your friends? God wants the number one spot in your life. Give Him the best of your time, your talents, and your energy.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:33)
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Oh, no! That bird flew into the glass! exclaimed Chris after hearing a
thud at the window. He turned to his father. "I hope he's okay!"
 

Dad and Chris got up from the table and went over to the large plate glass window in the living room. "I don't see him," said Dad as they looked down at the ground. "I guess he must be okay-apparently okay enough to fly away, anyhow." 

"Well, I think we should put up a poster or something to warn the birds that there's a window here," said Chris. "They can't see the clear glass."

Dad smiled. "What should it say?" he asked.

"Dad! You know they can't read," protested Chris. "It would just have to be something big and bright on the glass."

"Yes. Well, I'm afraid your mother would object to that kind of sign on her front window," said Dad.

Chris nodded. "I guess so," he agreed.

"You know, Chris, we're like that bird sometimes," said Dad thoughtfully.

"We are?" asked Chris. "How?"

"There are dangerous things in life that we don't see, either," replied Dad. "There's a difference, though-we don't know quite how to warn those birds, but someone does warn us of many dangers. God often warns us." Dad smiled at Chris. "Do you know how He does that?"

"Well . . . ah . . . my Sunday school teacher warned us about some bad shows on TV," said Chris. "!n fact, he was pretty worked up about it. Is that how God warns us? Through our teachers?"

"That's one way," Dad replied. "What else?"

Chris was ready this time. "Last week, Pastor Grey preached about hell," he said. "He gave a strong warning."

"Right," said Dad. "Those were a couple of examples of
what we might think of as 'big, bright' warnings. God often uses people to warn
us, but He also speaks to us through His Word-the Bible. He quietly impresses
something upon our hearts and minds as we think about what He has said. Always
remember that when God warns you, you need to pay attention!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pay attention when God uses parents, teachers, or His Word to warn you about something? God sees dangers that you can't see. Avoid hurt and heartache by listening to His warnings and obeying Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 19:11)
By them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

[Soldier4Christ]

With a big sigh, Jenna dropped her books on the table and flopped into the
chair beside her mother.
 

"Something wrong, honey?" asked Mom.

Jenna nodded. "It's Marla," she said. "You know-that annoying girl in my class. I can't help it-I just don't like her at all, let alone love her. The best I've been able to do is to stop making fun of her."

"Well, I guess that's an improvement," said Mom.

"But it's not enough!" replied Jenna. "My Sunday school teacher says that Jesus expects us to love people-even those who hate us-and to do good to them. I don't think I'll ever be able to love people the way I'm supposed to!" She sighed. "God must be getting pretty annoyed with me," she added.

"Ask Him to help you," said Mom. "Pray for Marla and keep working on your attitude toward her. Dad and I will pray about it, too."

"Okay," agreed Jenna. She stood up. "Can I make some cookies, Mom?" she asked.

"Sure," said Mom. "Need any help?"

"Nope! I can handle this," said Jenna. As she reached for the recipe book, her four-year-old brother burst into the kitchen. "Hey, buddy! Want to learn how to make cookies?" asked Jenna.

"Can I?" asked Jimmy eagerly.

Mom smiled. "Teaching Jimmy to make cookies will take some patience," she warned.

"That's okay," said Jenna. "I won't expect him to do them alone-I'll give him all the help he needs for as long as he needs it."

Mom nodded. "You know, from your comments about the problem you're having with Marla, I get the impression that you think God is less patient than we are," she said.

Jenna was silent. "I think I get it," she said after a moment. "It will take some time for Jimmy to learn to make cookies, but I'll help him as long as he needs me. And it's taking time for me to learn to love Marla, but God will help me as long as I need Him."

"Which is always," added Mom.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you impatient with your spiritual progress? Don't give up. Jesus knows you have a lot to learn. He loves you, and He won't give up on you. Ask Him to give you strength to keep on learning to do the things He wants you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Thess. 3:3)
The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mom, I don't understand my memory verse, said Alec one afternoon. "It's
Second Corinthians 5:21." He quoted it. "'God made him who had no sin to be sin
for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' I know it's
talking about Jesus, but what does it mean when it says He was made to be sin
for us? Jesus was sinless, wasn't He?"
 

"Yes, He was," answered Mom, "and being made sin for us is what caused Him to suffer so much. It involved more than just the physical pain from the crucifixion. Let's see . . ." She reached for a book from the bookcase. "Here," she said, "look at this picture of a leper. It was taken by some missionaries-years ago they often saw people in this kind of condition."

Alec frowned as he looked at the picture. "That man sure looks awful," he said. "He hasn't got any fingers or toes! Just ugly little stumps!"

"Yes," Mom nodded, "and he's blind-and so thin! You're a Christian, Alec. If you saw someone like this, what could you do for him?"

Alec thought about it. "I could give him a drink of water and some food," he suggested.

"But he's dying," answered Mom. "Could you love that poor man enough to get down on your knees beside him and take him into your arms and tell him that if he will trust in Christ, he will go to heaven?"

Alec hesitated. "Maybe if I forced myself, I could."

"In order to really help him," continued Mom, "and if you had the power to do it, would you allow all of his sickness to flow into your body and allow all of your strength and health to flow into his body?"

Alec cringed at that idea. "That's asking too much!" he objected. "He has such a horrible disease!"

Mom nodded. "That's what Jesus did when He was made to be sin for you and me, Alec," she explained. "Jesus hates sin even more than you hate leprosy. He never sinned, yet He took all our sin upon Himself and died to take our punishment."

Alec thought it over. "I think I'm beginning to
understand," he said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that Jesus suffered the shame and horror of taking your sin upon Himself? He took your place on the cross-He loves you that much! Accept His sacrifice-trust Him today. (See page 66.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Cor. 5:21)
He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

You just don't understand, whined Julie when her parents wouldn't allow
her to go with several of her friends to a casino one evening. "Jorrey's dad
would be going with us."
 

"It's a gambling establishment," said Dad, "not a place where you belong."

"Oh, Dad! It's not like we're going to lose a lot of money gambling-we'd just play the slot machines a little," protested Julie. "What's so bad about that? Everybody's doing it! Besides, I'm just trying to be a witness to my friends. If you never let me do anything with them, how can I ever win them to Jesus?"

"I'm glad you want to win them," replied Dad, "but believe me, honey, joining them in questionable activities is not the way to do it."

As they were talking, one of Dad's friends came to the door. "Can you give me a hand?" asked Mr. Peter. "This old country road you live on is so muddy from all the rain we've been having that I got stuck down at that first corner. Think you could pull me out?"

"Sure," said Dad. "Want to come along, Julie?" Julie nodded, and they jumped into Dad's truck and were off to the rescue.

When they got to the corner, Dad began to back the truck right down into the muddy area where the car was stuck. "Dad!" exclaimed Julie. "We'll get stuck, too!"

"This truck has a lot of power," Dad replied. "I think
we'll be all right." But just as Julie had predicted, they did get stuck. "You
were right, Julie," Dad admitted. "This mud is deeper than I thought." He
paused, then added, "You know, honey, this reminds me of what we were discussing
earlier. Going down into the mud with my friend is a little like joining unsaved
friends in doing wrong things. Getting stuck with my friend doesn't help him a
bit, and doing wrong things with your friends won't help them." Julie knew Dad
was right. "To help my friend, I should have stayed out of the mud, and to
really help your friends, you need to stay away from sin," said Dad. "Be
different from them. Let them see that you don't need to sin to have a good
time."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to win your friends to Christ? Going along with the wrong things they do won't work, and it will probably draw you away from Jesus. Live the way you know God wants you to live, and you can be a real testimony and help to others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Cor. 6:17)
Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Randy rushed into the house and dropped his books. "Look at this!" he
said, holding out a fossilized bone. "My teacher said I could borrow it to show
Great Grandpa Parks. Can I show it to him today?"
 

Mom smiled. "We'll go over there right after supper."

"Mrs. Patterson says only one out of millions of bones becomes a fossil," Randy told his mother. "It has to be buried in just the right minerals. As the bone decays, the minerals seep into the pores, and bit by bit they replace the bone until there's no bone left, just hard, strong rock mineral."

"Really? Grandpa will love to hear about that," Mom said. "I bet his neighbor, Mr. Wyatt, would like to see that fossil and hear about it, too."

"I doubt it," mumbled Randy. "He doesn't like anything-or anybody." Randy frowned. "He's too grumpy!" he added. "I know he's old, but Grandpa Parks isn't grumpy like that, and he's even older than Mr. Wyatt."

Mom thought for a moment. "Grandpa is a lot like that fossil," she said.

"He's not that old!" objected Randy.

Mom smiled. "That's true, but all through his life, Grandpa let God's Word and God's love seep into his heart. Like minerals filled and replaced the materials of the bones, God's goodness filled Grandpa with love, joy, and peace-all the right things. Now he's pretty old. He's growing weak and tired and is starting to forget things, but God's Spirit is evident in him."

"And it isn't in Mr. Wyatt, right?" asked Randy.

"It doesn't seem to be," said Mom. "As far as we know, Mr. Wyatt never let God into his life. He never let God's goodness replace his old self."

Randy looked at the fossil. "Maybe I should show this to Mr. Wyatt," he decided. He looked at Mom anxiously. "But will you tell him how God changes us like minerals change bones? Maybe it's not too late for him."

"Sure," Mom agreed, smiling, "and you can help me. God
can still work a miracle in his life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What things are seeping into you? Is God's goodness replacing your old self? Don't become like a rotten old bone-become like a strong fossil by being buried in the right "minerals" as you read your Bible, pray, enjoy Christian fellowship, and obey and serve God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 4:16)
The inward man is renewed day by day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Dad, said Kaylee one evening, "Tammy and Liz are both mad at me again.
What can I do? I like both of them, but they don't like each other, and I seem
to always get caught in the middle of their arguments."
 

"Why don't they like each other?" asked Dad.

"I don't know," said Kaylee, "but they're always saying mean things about-and to-each other."

"Do you have any clue as to why they do that?" asked Dad. "What are the girls like?"

"Tammy's cute and does well in school. Her dad is a doctor and they live in a big house and she has lots of clothes and things," said Kaylee. "Liz . . . well, she's real smart and pretty. I don't know what her dad does-he doesn't live with them. Their house is nice enough, but nothing special, I guess. She lives there with her mom and brothers."

"Hmmm," murmured Dad. "Well, I don't know what their problem is, but when you hear one of the girls say something unkind about the other, do you keep it to yourself? Or do you tell them what they say about each other?"

Kaylee blushed. "I . . . ah. . . not too often," she stammered.

"Any repeating of such words is too often, Kaylee," Dad told her. "The Bible says, 'Where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.' One version says, 'Without gossip a quarrel dies down.' Now, if Tammy says nice things about Liz, or if Liz says something nice about Tammy, it might be a good idea to repeat that. If each of them hears that the other has said something good about her, perhaps they'll decide to like one another."

This was a new idea to Kaylee. "You mean . . . listen
for compliments instead of criticism?" she asked. She thought that over. "Well,
okay. There probably won't be many," she said, "but I guess it's worth a
try."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you repeat unkind things and stir up trouble? Today's Scripture reading says to seek peace. One way to do that is to keep to yourself any unkind words you may hear someone say about another person. Refuse to be a talebearer.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 26:20)
Where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kaylee listened for any nice things that Liz and Tammy might say about
each other. Here's what she heard Tammy say: "I hate school, but I suppose Liz
likes it since she's the smartest girl in the class and is always on the honor
roll. It's disgusting!" And: "Here comes Miss America! Look at her hair! It's so
pretty! But she thinks she's little 'Miss Homemaker, U.S.A.'! Did you know that
she made those yummy cookies we had at our party? She makes me sick!"
 

Kaylee also heard Liz say nice things about Tammy. "Aren't Tammy's clothes pretty? She has so many, and they look so cute on her," said Liz. "She's so lucky! Her dad's a doctor-he's our doctor, and he's great. They live in such a nice house." She frowned. "Tammy thinks she's so important just because she has all the luck."

So Kaylee "carried tales" again, but this time she carried compliments. "Tammy says you're the smartest girl in our class," she told Liz, "and that your hair is pretty . . . and she loved the cookies you made."

"Really?" Liz was surprised. 

Then Kaylee talked to Tammy. "Liz thinks your clothes are beautiful and look so cute on you," she told her. "And she said she loves your house, and she thinks your dad is great."

"No kidding? Maybe that's because she doesn't have a dad," said Tammy thoughtfully.

Kaylee continued to report any nice things she heard either girl say. A few days later, she was surprised when Liz went to sit with Tammy at lunchtime. Liz took cookies from her bag. "Would you like these?" she asked Tammy. "I . . . ah . . . I made them for you."

"Wow! Thanks!" exclaimed Tammy. "I was going to ask if you and Kaylee can come over Friday night. Mom says we can have a slumber party."

That night, Kaylee told her dad about it. "The girls are getting along so well now," she said excitedly. "The three of us are planning to do a bunch of things."

Dad smiled. "Great!" he said. "You've been a real
peacemaker, Kaylee."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Will you be a peacemaker? The Bible says that peacemakers are "blessed" or happy. Share good things you hear about people. It will please your friends, and it will also please God. Listen for at least one compliment about someone today. Then go and share it with that person.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 5:9)
Blessed are the peacemakers.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rodney, Mom called, "take out the trash, please."
 

Rodney scowled. "I don't see why lazy Becky can't take it out for once," he answered sarcastically.

Becky looked angry. "Tell my ugly brother . . ."

"Both of you stop that!" interrupted Mom sternly. "Why must you children constantly bicker and fight?"

Rodney grudgingly took the trash out, but he had to stack it in the garage because the trash can was missing from the alley. 

"Ugh!" exclaimed Rodney as he got out of the car a few days later. He held his nose. "Something stinks!"

"It's the trash stacked in that corner!" exclaimed Mom. "Here. Let's put these smelly bags in the carport, and I'll call Dad and ask him to pick up a trash can on his way home."

"Make trashy Becky help, too," grumbled Rodney.

"Shut up, dum-dum," retorted Becky.

"That will do!" Mom said sternly. "You'll both help." When they were finished, Mom made them both sit on chairs in the kitchen. "Your attitudes lately remind me of that trash," she told them.

"Sorry," mumbled Rodney.

Becky nodded. "Me, too," she said with a scowl. "Can I get up now?"

Mom shook her head. "I wonder how long it's been since you really cleaned the 'trash' out of your lives," she said. "Things like bad attitudes, selfishness, and jealousy need to be cleaned out regularly. In a way, they stink worse than that trash. They need to go into God's big trash can called 'repentance.' Repentance means more than just saying, 'I'm sorry.' It means being sorry-sorry enough to stop doing the thing that was wrong." She paused. "Now, is anybody ready to use that trash can?" she asked.

Becky and Rodney looked at each other guiltily. They both nodded. "I'm sorry," they said in unison. That made them smile.

"Good," said Mom. "Tell God you're sorry, too. And
remember-your actions, not your words, will show how sorry you really are." Then
she grinned at them. "I trust I won't have to hold my nose soon
again."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you noticed any trash in your life lately? Even if you haven't noticed it, could it be that others have "smelled" it? Ask God to show you what needs to be cleaned out so that your actions and attitude suggest a sweet aroma to all who know you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 51:10)
Create in me a clean heart, O God.