Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

It seems like Mom is always mad at me, thought Seth. If I go away, it
makes her mad, and if I stay home, that makes her mad, too. I'm always too early
or too late, too busy or not busy enough, too noisy or too quiet. He sighed.
After Bible Club tomorrow, I'm going to ask Mrs. Davis about it. She always
seems happy. Mrs. Davis, who lived next door to Seth and his mother, held a
regular after-school Bible club in her home. Only a few weeks before, Seth had
talked with her about becoming a Christian, and he had asked Jesus to come into
his life.
 

After the club meeting the next day, Seth waited to speak with Mrs. Davis. "How can I have a happy home like yours?" he asked her hesitantly. "My mom . . . well, she seems unhappy most of the time."

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Mrs. Davis. "Well . . . a few weeks ago, you asked Jesus to come into your life and change you, right?" Seth nodded. "Now that you're a Christian, you can pray for your mother," Mrs. Davis continued. "I'll pray, too, and ask God for an opportunity to talk with her. I think if your mother knew Jesus, it would make a real difference in her life." Mrs. Davis gave Seth a hug. "Be sure to try hard to obey your mom. Do all the nice things you can for her, and whenever you get a chance, tell her about Jesus."

Seth nodded. "I'll try," he said. And he did try. He made his bed without being told, he mowed the lawn when he noticed how long it was getting, and he often offered to do the dishes for his mother. 

"Dear me!" exclaimed Mom one day. "What's come over you, Seth? You're so different lately." She looked thoughtful. "Did you say something about having let Jesus come into your heart?"

"Yes," answered Seth, "and that's what makes me different."

"Quite a while ago, Mrs. Davis told me about Jesus," said Mom after a moment. "Do you suppose she would come and talk with me again?"

"Oh, I know she will, Mom," Seth answered eagerly. "She
wants to. She'll tell you how to be saved and how we can have a happy home in
heaven-and down here, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does Jesus make a difference in your life? When you do tasks willingly and cheerfully-even without being told-your attitude and actions are a witness to your family, and they help to make your home a happy place.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Cor. 5:17)
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.

[Soldier4Christ]

Marc looked up when he heard Grandpa Burns' question. "Ma, do you know
where I left my glasses?" asked Grandpa as he reached for his Bible. Marc was
spending the weekend with his great-grandparents.
 

"Now, Pa, did you lose those glasses again?" scolded Grandma. "You had them on when you paid the paperboy."

"That wasn't today. I paid him yesterday," said Grandpa. "Now . . ." He stopped a moment to cough.

"Your cough doesn't seem to get better," murmured Grandma. "You'd better order more medicine."

"I just got some," said Grandpa. "That's who came today-Leo!" Grandpa turned to Marc. "Leo lives next door, and he went and picked up medicine for me."

Just then Marc spied Grandpa's glasses lying on the table. "Here are your glasses, Grandpa," he said. He laughed when Grandma asked for help in finding hers. "They're on your head," he said.

Grandma laughed, too. "I declare!" she exclaimed. "I clean forgot putting them on."

Grandpa opened his Bible. "Do you memorize many verses, Marc?" he asked. "We used to memorize whole chapters when we were kids."

Grandma nodded. "For example, we both learned Psalm 91 and Psalm 103," she said. "And John 14." She smiled. "Such beautiful verses," she added. 

"That's right." Grandpa rocked back and forth. "Sometimes when our eyes are tired, we just say some of them together," he said.

"There's something I can't understand," said Marc with a puzzled look. "You can't remember things that happened just today-even just a little while ago-so how do you remember things from so long ago?"

Grandpa smiled. "The fact is that most of the things you'll remember are things you learn and do as a child," he said. "They might be good, or they might be bad. That's up to you, but you'll remember them."

"That's right," agreed Grandma.

Marc grinned. "Well, I have to learn lots of verses for
my Bible club," he said. "It seems like a lot of work now, but I guess I'll be
glad someday."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you hiding God's Word in your heart? Did you learn some verses this past week? Today? To truly learn them-to really have them in your heart-you need to obey them as well as memorize them. Do that. Some day you'll be glad you did.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:11)
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tim was frightened. A fire had started in the woods near his home, and the
sawmill where his dad worked had been damaged. It's my fault! Tim thought to
himself. I shouldn't have made that little fire to roast marshmallows. He
sighed. I sure hope nobody ever finds out! And my eye operation will probably
have to be postponed since Dad will be out of a job for a while now. Tim felt
awful!
 

Things got even worse when Mr. Simmons, the owner of the sawmill, stopped in. "I think we've found the guilty man!" reported Mr. Simmons. "A tramp was picked up in the woods, and he's in jail. Of course, he claims he didn't do it, but even if he doesn't confess, I think we have enough evidence to prove him guilty."

"But . . . but . . ." stammered Tim. What should I do? he wondered. An innocent person is in jail for something I did. "It . . . it's my fault." He hadn't intended to admit that, but the words came tumbling out. Tim told Mr. Simmons and his parents about his fire. "I thought I put it out real good, but it must have started up again," he confessed. Fearfully, Tim awaited the reaction.

Mr. Simmons was staring, open-mouthed. "Are . . . are you going to take me to jail now?" Tim asked in a shaking voice.

After what seemed a very long time, Mr. Simmons shook his head. "No," he said, "you're going to go for that operation on your eyes instead. I offered reward money for turning in the guilty party, and you're going to get it!" Tim and his parents couldn't believe it, but Mr. Simmons insisted. "The crime was against me, and I have the right to pardon the offender if I choose," he said.

"I bet this is the first time somebody ever pardoned and rewarded the person who wronged him," said Tim in awe.

Mr. Simmons shook his head. "Not the first time," he
said. "That's exactly what Jesus did for us. We sinned against Him. God had a
right to demand that we pay for our sin, but He showed mercy, and Jesus paid the
price for us. He gave His life on Calvary so we could be pardoned. When we trust
in Him, He pardons us and then rewards us with eternal life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you come to God, confessing your sin and asking for His forgiveness? If not, don't wait. (See page 66.) Receive pardon for your sin and the gift of eternal life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 103:10)
He (God) hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

[Soldier4Christ]

I've sure studied hard enough for my history test tomorrow, thought Joel,
but there are so many dates to remember! I hope I don't forget them. As he
closed his book, Joel remembered a trick his friend Eddie had told him about.
I'll try that, he decided, so on a small piece of paper he wrote the dates that
were hard to remember. The next morning, he slipped the paper up his long shirt
sleeve. "I'll use this only if I have to," he muttered.
 

When Joel took the test, he found that studying had paid off. Much of it seemed easy. Still, all those dates were confusing. He looked over the finished test. Then he glanced at Miss Wilson. She was busy at her desk, so he slipped the paper out of his sleeve and compared it to his test answers. Oh, good! he thought. I got 'em right. As he slipped the paper back up his sleeve, he noticed someone standing beside him.

Miss Wilson reached down for his test. "I'm sorry, Joel. I'll have to give you a zero," she said as she tore the paper in half.

When his parents learned what had happened, Joel defended his actions. "It's not fair," he insisted. "Eddie cheated lots of times, and he never got caught. Besides, I didn't even cheat-I didn't change a single answer! Miss Wilson could have just taken my paper and graded it. Since I didn't change any answers, how am I guilty?"

"God sees our hearts, Joel," Dad told him. "God knows you planned to change answers if they were wrong. The temptation to sin is not wrong, but when we want to sin-when we plan to sin-that is wrong."

Joel frowned. "But if it all begins with wanting to do something wrong, how do you get rid of the . . . the 'want to'?" he asked at last.

"Confess it to God and ask Him for the victory," Dad
told him. "Make Jesus the Lord of your life. Then whenever you want to do a
wrong thing, turn that desire over to Him. He'll take it away if you're willing
to give it up."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you desire to do what is right? Or do you wish you could get away with doing things you know are wrong? If you knew you wouldn't be caught, would you steal? Cheat? Disobey? If so, confess your sin to God. Ask Him to control your mind and your desires.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 17:10)
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins.

[Soldier4Christ]

Stretching sleepily, Jimmy wondered why he had that strange, empty feeling
in his stomach. Then it all came back to him. He glanced over at the other bed.
Yes, it was empty. It really was true-his big brother, Jack, was gone. It was
almost two weeks since Jack had left for school in the morning and had not come
back. Tears rolled down Jimmy's cheeks as he remembered. There had been an
accident, and Jack had been killed. Mom said he had gone to heaven.
 

The door to Jimmy's room opened, and his mother came in. "Good morning! I see you're already awake," she said. Noticing his tears, she sat beside him on the bed. "You're thinking of Jack, aren't you, honey?" she asked. "Daddy and I miss him, too, but we try to remember how happy he is with Jesus."

"But, Mom, how do you know that?" asked Jimmy.

"I know because Jack accepted Jesus as his Savior," Mom answered, "and the Bible says that when those who trust in Jesus leave this life, they go to be with Him."

Jimmy nodded. "Yes, but I still don't understand," he said with a sob. "You always say Jack's in heaven, but he was right there in the casket, and then he was put in the ground at the cemetery." Jimmy covered his face with his hands.

"Jack's body is in the grave, but his soul, or his life-the real Jack-is with Jesus," explained Mom.

Jimmy looked at his hands. "But . . . my head and my hands and my ears and eyes . . . this is me, isn't it?"

Mom shook her head. "Not really," she told him. "Your body is just a house in which the real you-your soul-lives. Your body may die, but not your soul. It lives. Jack's body died, and we buried it, but God took Jack's life-his soul-to heaven. So when I think of Jack, I think of him in heaven, not in the cemetery."

Jimmy sighed. "But I still wish I could see Jack every day," he said slowly.

"I know," Mom answered, giving him a hug. "We all do. We
can't see him again here on earth, but because we all know Jesus, we can look
forward to seeing him in heaven one day. Then we'll all be together
forever!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know that your life, or soul, lives forever-in either heaven or in hell? When a Christian dies, his soul goes to be with Jesus. Be sure you have accepted the Savior. If you've done that, you will live forever in heaven.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:
We are . . . willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Look what I found! called Amy as she ran up the back steps at her aunt's
house. With Aunt Claire's permission, she had been digging in the old trash pile
behind the barn. "Look! An old fruit jar with '1898' stamped on the bottom!" Amy
happily showed her find to her aunt and mother. "This looks like one I saw in an
antique store," she told them. "It cost quite a lot."
 

"Well, good," said Aunt Claire. "You found this one, and you may keep it-but you'll have to clean it up."

"Oh, I will!" Amy beamed with pleasure as she went to clean the jar.

When Amy brought the jar back, Aunt Claire nodded. "What a change!" she said. "By the way, you remember Becca who lives next door? She's coming over pretty soon. I thought you'd like to have someone to play with."

"Oh, no!" groaned Amy.

"What's the problem?" asked Aunt Claire in surprise.

Amy shrugged. "She's dirty, and kinda . . . well, just plain dumb. She's not my type at all. Besides," added Amy when she saw her mother frown, "she isn't a Christian, and I don't think she ever will be. She doesn't seem like the kind, if you know what I mean."

"Amy! No . . . I don't know what you mean, and I'm afraid you're not acting like a Christian, either," scolded Mom.

Aunt Claire looked thoughtful. "Amy," she said, "look at this jar-it's quite pretty, now that it's cleaned up. Strange, isn't it, that for years it was in the rubbish pile. Until today, no one realized its value and saved it." She turned the jar in her hands. "In a way, Becca is like this jar-and you and I are, too," she added.

"Like the jar?" repeated Amy. "How am I like that jar?"

"Well, at one time you were in the trash pile of sin," said Aunt Claire, "but God picked you up, washed you, and gave you a new shine. Becca is still lost, but she is valuable, too-so valuable that Jesus died for her." Amy looked ashamed. "Be ready to let God use you to help others come to Him so they can be given a new shine-a new life-too," advised Aunt Claire. "Maybe He wants you to start with Becca."

"Maybe," agreed Amy. "I'll try to help
her."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you friendly with everyone-even those whose clothes are wrinkled or torn, or who don't always use correct English? God looks beneath all that and sees a precious soul. Perhaps by being a friend, God will allow you to help someone find Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 9:22)
I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ron sat down and began a letter to his dad, who was away on sea duty with
the Navy. "The Carlsons next door have a litter of puppies," wrote Ron. "Can I
have one, please? They're really cute. Mom says it's okay with her if it's okay
with you. I really hoped to have a dog just like Rex, Uncle Pete's dog, but this
one is free, and it would be better than none." Ron finished his letter and
hurried to mail it. He could hardly wait for Dad's answer.
 

When Ron got home from school several days later, he was met by his smiling mother. "I just talked to Dad on the phone," she told him. "He'll be home next week, and he can stay a whole month."

Ron grinned broadly. "Did he say I could have a puppy?" he asked eagerly.

Ron's grin disappeared when Mom shook her head. "I know this is hard for you to understand, but please trust your dad," urged Mom. "He loves you and wants what's best for you."

"Yeah, right!" Ron muttered as he left the room.

For a while, Ron's disappointment clouded the joy of looking forward to Dad's return, but when Dad arrived, Ron eagerly greeted him. "Can we go to a ball game while you're home, Dad?" asked Ron. "And can we go deep-sea fishing?" Suddenly he remembered his disappointment. "I still don't see why I couldn't get that puppy, Dad," he added with a frown. 

Just then a sound came from Dad's pile of luggage. "Whatever is that noise?" asked Mom, looking startled.

Ron recognized the sound. "A dog!" he exclaimed. "There's a dog in a box with your luggage!" He ran to see. "Dad!" he squealed as he picked up the puppy. "He looks just like Rex!"

Dad nodded. "The reason I said 'no' to the other puppy was because I knew this was the kind of dog you really wanted," he explained, "and I knew someone who had one for sale."

Mom smiled. "Like I told you before, you can trust Dad
to do what's best for you," she reminded Ron.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does your heavenly Father sometimes say no to the things you think you want and that you pray for? When He says no, it's because He has something better for you. God loves you even more than any earthly father could. You can always trust Him and His answers to your prayers!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:17)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

[Soldier4Christ]

I'll go get some water, volunteered Karl. He grabbed the bucket and headed
for the spring. He and his parents were spending a weekend at a cottage on
Rainbow Lake, and they were really "roughing it." Soon Karl returned with the
fresh water. "This is fun," he shouted.
 

"Since it's so much fun, why don't you go get some more?" suggested Dad. "Here's another bucket you can use."

Karl looked at the bucket Dad offered. "That's gross!" he exclaimed. "It's not even clean enough to use for water for washing dishes! Or clothes! You aren't going to drink out of it, are you?"

"Oh, no!" answered Dad. "Mom and I will use the clean one, but I thought maybe you could use this one. Since you don't care what you put in your mind, I didn't think you'd care what you put in your stomach, either."

"My mind?" Karl asked. "What are you talking about?"

"Mom just told me that when she was packing for you this morning, she found some magazines and joke books which are nothing less than dirty," Dad explained. Karl looked guilty as Dad continued. "My father told me that when he was a boy on the farm, they had two buckets. They had a water bucket for the house because they didn't have running water like we do now. They also had a slop bucket, which they kept on the back porch and into which they put all the garbage. Every night, it was his job to carry the slop bucket out to the pigs. They didn't even try to keep that bucket clean." He paused, then added slowly, "Your mind can be like a water bucket or a slop bucket. It all depends on what you put into it." 

"Dad and I have done our best to fill your mind with clean, wholesome things," commented Mom, "but now you're getting old enough to choose for yourself what to put into your mind."

Karl was ashamed. "I don't want my mind to be a slop
bucket!" he told his parents. "From now on, I'm going to be as careful about
what I put in my mind as I am about what I put in my stomach."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your mind like a water bucket or a slop bucket? Stay away from evil influences-bad books, pictures, or the wrong crowd. Turn off the TV when necessary. Sing, study your Bible, pray, and fill your mind with good things.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:
Whatsoever things are true . . . honest . . . just . . . pure . . . lovely . . . think on these things.

[Soldier4Christ]

When Tonya entered the kitchen, Mom was putting the finishing touches on
her birthday cake. "Honey, the ants seem to have decided to come to your party,"
said Mom without looking up.
 

"Aunt Joyce and Aunt Linda?" asked Tonya.

Mom laughed and pointed to the floor where several ants were scurrying around. "Get the bug spray out and take care of those ants, please," she said. 

As Tonya attacked the ants with a vengeance, she choked down a sob. Mom set the cake aside and put an arm around Tonya. "What's wrong, honey?"

"Everything!" exclaimed Tonya between sobs. "I hate this old h-house and . . . and Melody is getting a whole new outfit for my birthday, and I'm not." Melody was Tonya's cousin.

Mom sighed as she gave Tonya a hug. "I'm doing the best I can," she said softly.

Tonya tried to stop her tears. "I know, Mom, but it's not fair. Melody has a daddy and a nice home, and her mom doesn't have to work like you do. Sometimes I almost hate Melody." She blew her nose. "I don't like being jealous. It makes me feel ugly-and I want to be happy for my birthday party."

"I know," Mom replied. "We all fight jealousy at times, but there will always be people who have more than we have and people who have less. Do you know what kills jealousy?" Tonya shook her head. "A thankful spirit does," continued Mom. "After your dad left us, I was bitter for a while. When I became thankful for what I do have-you, my church family, my health, and many other things-I was no longer jealous of those who had more. A thankful spirit kills jealousy like that spray kills ants."

Tonya wiped her eyes. "I'm thankful for you, Mom," she
said. She tried to smile as she looked around her. "And I'm thankful for that
pretty cake you made and for friends who are coming to my party and for . . .
oh! There's another ant!" She grabbed the bug spray. As she pushed the button,
she said, "Next time I feel jealous, I'll remember to give it a big shot of
thankfulness. It works. I feel better already."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you jealous of someone who has more than you do? Isn't that a horrible feeling? Take out a pencil and paper and list the things for which you're thankful to God. You'll feel better right away.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:15)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . and be ye thankful.

[Soldier4Christ]

I hate being a kid, growled Jake. He headed for his room, muttering
angrily to himself. "I don't see why I couldn't stay up and watch that TV show.
Just because a few guys are threatening to shoot somebody, Mom gets all excited
and says to turn it off!" He was still angry when he climbed into bed a little
later. I wish I were grown up so I could do as I please! he thought. It seemed
only a moment later that he heard footsteps. "Is that you, Mom?" he asked.
 

A shaky voice answered. "No. No, I'm not your mother. My name is Father Time, and I understand you want to be older. I can make you any age you want to be."

"Really?" Jake couldn't believe his ears! "What luck!" he murmured. "I think I'll be twenty-one."

Jake was immediately in the middle of a battlefield! Bullets whizzed around him as he cried out in terror and begged to move on to a different age.

Father Time agreed that Jake could move on if he wished, so he tried being forty. That was even worse-he found himself he was at his mother's funeral! After again begging to go on, Jake saw that at fifty, he was a cross, worried businessman with no time for pleasure. "This is no fun," grumbled Jake. "Can I be sixty-five? I should be retired then, so I can take it easy."

Father Time again granted his wish, but, alas! Instead of enjoying his retirement, Jake was sick and dying. "I don't want to be here!" he cried. "I want to go back. I want my mother! Mom! Mom!"

The next thing Jake knew, his mother was beside him. "I'm here," she comforted. "You must have had a nightmare." 

Jake was shaking, but he was so relieved! "I did," he said, "and you know what? I found out how good I've got it. I'm glad I'm still a kid!"

Mom smiled. "Good," she said. "I hope you'll learn to
enjoy your blessings at every stage of your life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you eager to grow up? Don't be in such a hurry. Remember that every age has both advantages and problems. With God's help, enjoy each year-and each day-that He gives you. Learn to be content at every age.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 118:24)
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tara, Mark, and Jon listened intently as Dad read the story of
Rodney, a very poor little boy who lived long ago in a far away country.
"Everyone said the King was very kind," read Dad, "so Rodney decided to go see
him and ask for help.
 

"When Rodney arrived at the palace, he was stopped at the gate. He explained that he wanted to see the King, but he was refused admission. Now what shall I do? wondered Rodney. I know! I'll just climb over the wall way back there. He looked around carefully, and then he climbed to the top of the wall. Hey! This is pretty easy, he decided, but at that very moment several fierce dogs inside the fence rushed up. Rodney dropped back. This won't work after all, he thought. The only way in is through the gate. Discouraged, he walked back to the gate and sat down at the side of the road.

"Soon a carriage drove up, and a young man stepped out. 'What's the matter, sonny?' asked the man. Rodney explained his problem, and the young man nodded. 'Come with me,' he said. Then he spoke to the gatekeeper, and the gates were opened. They went inside, and Rodney could see the dogs out of the corner of his eye. He cringed when he heard them barking. But again the young man gave orders, and the dogs were restrained.

"Rodney was wide-eyed. 'Why does everyone obey you?' he asked in wonder.

"The young man smiled. 'Because I'm the Prince,' he replied, 'and now we'll go see my father-King John.' And so it was that Rodney was finally able to meet the King and ask for the help he needed." Dad stopped reading and closed the book.

"Did the King help him?" asked Tara anxiously.

Dad smiled. "He did," he assured her. "We'll read about that in the next chapter tomorrow. But do you know who Rodney reminds me of?"

"Who?" asked Mark.

"Of all of us," said Dad. "Everyone wants to live
someday in heaven with God, the King of kings. The only ones who will get to do
that are those who know the King's Son-the Lord Jesus Christ."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you heard the expression "It's not what you know, but who you know that matters"? When it comes to entering heaven, that's true. You need to know the Son of God-the Lord Jesus. Is He your Savior?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 17:3)
This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.

[Soldier4Christ]

Come here, Mr. Wiggle Worm, said Pete as he put a worm in a can. "Hey,
Dad, are worms good for anything besides bird food and fishing bait?"
 

"Sure are," said Dad. "They help the earth breathe."

Pete laughed. "Like lungs?" he asked.

Dad smiled. "As worms burrow through the ground, they let fresh air through the soil. And when they eat and digest the soil, that's like when Mom sifts flour to make a cake," he explained. "The more the soil is digested and fertilized by worms, the better it is for growing things. God has a purpose for everything."

"Yeah . . . and I'm glad one purpose for worms is to make fishing bait," said Pete. "We have enough, don't we?" Dad nodded, and they were off to the lake.

That evening they had fish for supper! "Yummy!" exclaimed Pete. "These fish are almost as much fun to eat as they are to catch. Fishing is my favorite sport. Wish I could skip school and go fishing every day."

Mom laughed. "That would be overdoing it a little, don't you think?" she asked. "Besides, you like school."

"Yeah, except science," said Pete. "I just don't believe some stuff Mrs. Moore teaches-like that we evolved from a lower form of life. God made the world and us and the stars and . . . and even worms, didn't He?"

"He sure did," said Mom. "Everything works together just perfectly, and it's amazing that people can't see that there must be a God who planned it all."

Dad nodded. "Everything is useful-nothing is wasted," he said. "For example, when the leaves fall from the trees, they rot and become fertilizer. The sun is just the right distance away so we can live comfortably. Sometimes big animals eat smaller ones . . . and it all works out so the balance is right and the earth is kept in the order and the system that God has planned."

"I just thought of something!" said Pete. "If God planned all that, He must have a plan for me, too."

"A verse in Jeremiah talks about that," said Dad, "and
Jesus, Himself, said that you're more valuable than many sparrows. He said that
even the hairs of your head are numbered." He smiled. "You can always trust God
and His plan for your life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Aren't you glad that the God Who planned and made the whole world wants to take charge of your life? Give yourself wholly to Him and trust Him to work out what is best for you.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Yesu yana kaunar yara, sang Allison.
 

"What language is that anyway?" asked her friend Jill. "Like my grandma always says when she doesn't understand something . . . it sounds like Greek to me!"

Allison laughed. "It's not Greek," she corrected. "It's Hausa. I learned the song from my Aunt Mary and Uncle Steve, who are missionaries in Nigeria."

"What does it mean?" Jill wanted to know.

Allison smiled. "It means, 'Jesus, He loves the children,'" she explained.

"Oh, that's almost the same as one of our songs!" exclaimed Jill. "The tune sounded familiar, too."

Allison nodded. "Aunt Mary teaches a class of Nigerian girls who are the same age as we are. She says one girl reminds her of me, because we act so much alike-and that the neatest part is that both of us love the Lord. We're going to write to each other, and Aunt Mary will translate for us. It'll be fun having a Nigerian pen pal."

"I guess maybe we're not really as different from kids in other countries as we think we are," observed Jill. 

Allison shook her head. "Aunt Mary always reminds me that we're all the same to the Lord," she said. "He loves Nigerian children-and all the children in the world-just like He loves us."

"Right," agreed Jill, "just like your song said. How did that go again?" Allison sang the strange words again, and she laughed as Jill tried it, too.

"That's okay. You can laugh at me," said Jill. She grinned and added, "I bet the Nigerians would laugh at you!"

"Probably," agreed Allison. "But who cares? God understands-even when we mispronounce all these words. It's not Greek to Him."

"Let's make it a duet," suggested Jill. And they
did.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever really thought about children all over the world who love the Lord? They're like you in many ways. They memorize the same verses and even sing some of the same songs, but in a different language. Always remember that Jesus loves you-and everyone else.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 3:16)
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.

[Soldier4Christ]

Daniel stormed out of the house, plopped down on the top step, and scowled
at the street as he muttered to himself. His sister Nan found him there.
"Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and we don't have a gift for Mom yet," she said.
"Let's go see what we can find."
 

"Can't," Daniel said crossly. "Mom says I can't leave the yard."

"Why not?" asked Nan. "What did you do?"

"Just cleaned my closet like she told me to," Daniel grumbled. "But was she satisfied? No! I told her it was my closet, and it suited me, so it oughta suit her!"

"Daniel!" gasped Nan.

"She said I was rude and told me to do it over," grumbled Daniel. "When I got done, I asked if it suited her now. She said my closet did, but not my attitude, so I have to stay home today."

"Oh, Daniel," moaned Nan, "you spoiled everything. Hey, I know! I'll ask if you can go to the store with me."

Nan went in and made her request, but when Mom said no, Nan became cross and talked back to her mother. As a result, she was grounded, too!

After dinner the next day, Daniel and Nan felt bad about not having a gift for their mother. "Mom, we wanted to get you something yesterday," explained Nan, "but you wouldn't let us go to the store."

Dad looked solemn. "So you figure it's Mom's fault that you don't have a present for her?" he asked.

"N-no," admitted Daniel. "I guess not."

"Why would you want to give Mom a present anyway?" asked Dad.

"Well . . . to show that we love her," said Nan. 

Dad nodded. "What's the best way to show that you love someone?" he asked.

"Um . . . give them presents and stuff," stammered Daniel.

"We also show people that we love them by the way we act toward them," said Nan slowly. After a moment she added, "We didn't act like we loved you yesterday, Mom. I'm sorry-honest I am!"

"Me, too, Mom," added Daniel. "Me,
too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tell your parents that you love them-not by words, but by quick and cheerful obedience? Or do you whine and complain, and sometimes even talk back? Ask God right now to help you show your love by your obedience.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:1)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ben's grandmother, who lived in another state, was moving, and Mom and Dad
were going to help her. "I wish I could go, too," said Ben.
 

"I know," said Mom, "but I'm sure you'll enjoy staying with the Bartons." The Bartons lived right across the road from Ben's home and were almost like grandparents to Ben.

"Yes," said Dad, "and I need you to take care of chores here while we're gone. I've made a list of the things you need to do."

"Okay, Dad," replied Ben. "You can count on me!"

"Good!" said Dad. "Do your work well, and I'll have a reward for you. But remember . . . no work, no reward!" With a grin, Ben agreed. He was sure the reward would be a nice one!

The next morning, Ben turned the cows out to pasture and cleaned the barn. As he started to hoe the garden, he heard a whistle. He looked up and saw his friend Jerry. "Come for a swim in my new pool," Jerry invited him. "I'll help you with your work later."

"Well . . ." Ben hesitated. He knew he shouldn't go, but he was tired and hot. A swim sounded like such fun . . . so with Mrs. Barton's permission, he went!

Jerry came over each day, and when he appeared, Ben left his work and played instead. Four days slipped by, and hardly any work was done. As Ben stood under the oak tree on the fifth day, he heard a car coming up the driveway. It stopped, and his parents stepped out. "Good news, Ben!" called Dad. "Grandma's move went so smoothly that we decided to come home early and then go visit her again next weekend when you can come, too. And guess what! We stopped at Green's Hardware to buy your reward. Mr. Green is sending the truck with that bike you've been wanting."

"O-o-ohh!" Ben moaned. "I . . . I might as well tell you. I haven't done all the things you told me to do." He hurried on as he saw Dad's frown. "Please, Dad . . . can I keep the bike? I'll work hard now. I'll get everything done!" 

"It's too late now, Ben," said Dad sadly. "When the bike
comes, we'll have to send it back."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you told others about Jesus? Invited someone to Sunday school? Helped your mother cheerfully? God promises rewards for faithful workers, but remember-no work, no reward. Keep serving God faithfully.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 12:40)
Be ye . . . ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.