Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Tyler sat up in bed. What's that noise? he wondered. He and his family had
moved to a new house, and now he slept in a strange, new room. Somehow he didn't
feel safe, the way he had back in his old, familiar home. Tyler heard the noise
again. I don't like this room! I don't want to sleep here! he thought. He jumped
out of bed and bolted down the stairs to find his mother.
 

"Tyler!" exclaimed Mom when Tyler rushed into the living room. "What's wrong, honey?"

"What's that noise, Mom?" asked Tyler.

Mom listened for a moment. "There's a bit of thunder in the distance," she said. "It won't hurt you."

Tyler knew his mom was right. The noise did sound like thunder, and it wasn't even close. There was nothing to be afraid of, but Tyler was still scared. "I don't like my new room," he said.

Mom put her arm around Tyler. "Sometimes it's hard to get used to a new house," she told him. "You don't feel safe here yet." She pointed to the little dog who sat at her feet. "I think Spunky still feels a little strange here, too. Why don't you take him to your room? He'll be good company for you."

Tyler looked at the puppy. "Okay," he agreed. "Come on, Spunky. I'll take care of you, just like I always did."

Mom went to tuck Tyler back into his bed. "When you feel afraid, remember that we didn't move away from God," she said. "He's right here with you just like He was with you at our old house-even when it's dark and there's a storm outside. You can trust Him to take care of you."

When Tyler heard the noise again a little later, he
pulled the blanket snugly around himself and Spunky. "You aren't scared when you
know I'm near-you know I'll take care of you and keep you safe, don't you?" he
asked as he stroked the puppy's head. "I'm not scared, either, when I remember
that God is near. He'll take care of me and keep me safe." Then Tyler closed his
eyes and went to sleep.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you remember that God is always with you, even when things seem scary or new? You can never move away from God. He is with you everywhere, all the time, anytime you need Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 56:3)
What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

Your science project is looking good, said Grandpa as he looked over
Clay's shoulder. "What will you call it?"
 

"Means of Communication," answered Clay. He had written reports about the telephone, radio, TV, satellites, and submarine fiber-optic cables. Then he had found pictures and made diagrams to illustrate the project. He was just adding the finishing touches.

Grandpa studied Clay's work for a few minutes. "Ah," he murmured, "you forgot the most important form of communication, Clay."

Clay was startled. "I did? What's that?" he asked.

"Communication with God," answered Grandpa with a twinkle in his eye.

"I never thought of that," said Clay. "In Bible times, God sometimes talked to people through dreams, didn't He?"

"That's right, and at other times He spoke to people directly," Grandpa said, "but He has a different way of speaking to us now."

"I know," said Clay. "He speaks to us through the Bible, right?"

Grandpa smiled and nodded. "God also speaks to His children by putting thoughts in their minds-and desires in their hearts," he said. "That's the work of the Holy Spirit. And do you know how we can talk to God?" 

Clay nodded. "Sure. Through prayer." He looked at the chart he had made. "Hey, I've got an idea! There's still room on my chart, so I'll add a picture of heaven with a line running to earth where a man is reading his Bible. Then I'll have a line running to heaven from a man who is praying." He grinned. "It will be fun to see what my teacher says. He'll probably think I'm crazy, but I don't even care."

"It will be a good testimony," approved Grandpa, "and
don't forget to make use of this means of communication yourself,
too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there regular communication between you and God? Do you read some Bible verses each day? Do you take time to pray? Be sure to talk with God each day, and listen as He speaks to you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 63:1)
O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee.

[Soldier4Christ]

We're going to clean your room, Matt, Mom announced one afternoon. "Right
now."
 

"Oh, Mom," Matt protested, "do we have to?"

"Yes, we do." Mom took cleaning supplies from the utility closet. In Matt's bedroom she handed him a large black garbage bag. "Start with the things under the bed. Throw away everything you do not absolutely have to keep," she ordered.

Mom quickly filled a basket with clothes Matt had outgrown. Matt put some things from under the bed into the garbage bag, but he piled most of them beside him. He pulled out a few tattered game cards and looked at them. "The last time we played this game, Jason cheated," he said. "I won't be playing with him anymore."

"He said he was sorry, Matt," Mom reminded. "You need to forget the times people disappoint you. Throw those memories away and remember the good times you have together. You . . ." The phone interrupted her, and she went to answer it.

"That was Grandma," said Mom when she returned. "Aunt Cindy is having them over for Grandpa's birthday dinner, and Grandma wants to know if we'll be there. She ought to remember that we haven't been there since the year Uncle Joe lost his temper and ruined the day for everyone." Mom knelt beside Matt's "keep" pile. "Matt, you've got to learn what to keep and what to throw away!" exclaimed Mom. "This junk is making a disaster zone of your room." 

Matt grinned. "Mom, you have to learn to throw things away, too-like bad memories. They make life a disaster zone," he said. "Uncle Joe did apologize. If you'll get rid of your clutter, Mom, I'll get rid of mine."

Mom was startled, but after a moment, she reached around the pile of stuff and hugged Matt. "As soon as we finish this job, I'll call Grandma and tell her that she can look for us at Aunt Cindy's next week," she said. She got up. "On second thought, I'll call her back right now."

 "Then I suppose I'll have to call Jason and invite him
over," said Matt. "When he comes, we'll play this game if I can find all of the
cards." He reached under the bed to search for them.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you hang onto bad memories? Don't do that. Learn to get rid of the mental clutter-throw bad memories away as you practice God's directions to forgive one another.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:13)
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mr. Crossley sure is a grouch, said Trent one day. "You know what he's
doing, Mom? He's putting up 'No Trespassing' signs on every other fence post
around his farm! He wants to keep everybody away!" Mr. Crossley, their nearest
neighbor, was not a very friendly man, and Trent avoided him as much as
possible.
 

"Well, be sure to keep Pudge locked inside the yard," Mom told Trent. "Mr. Crossley hates dogs, you know, and we don't want to offend him. Besides, he's been losing chickens lately, and he's threatened to shoot any dog he sees on his place."

When Trent arrived home a few days later, he went to the back yard and whistled for Pudge, but there was no happy bark to answer him. Looking around, he saw that the gate was ajar-and Pudge was gone! "Mom!" called Trent, running into the house, "the gate got open somehow, and Pudge is missing. I'm going to look for him." Whistling and calling, Trent bounded off in search of his dog. He heard barking from the direction of Mr. Crossley's property, so he quickly headed that way. He arrived just in time to see Mr. Crossley taking aim at Pudge. "Stop! Stop!" screamed Trent. He threw himself at his pet just as the gun went off.

Later, Mr. Crossley talked to Trent's mother at the hospital. "I feel awful!" he said. "I never meant to shoot the boy. He jumped right in the way to save his dog!"

Trent's mother nodded. "I know. He loves Pudge so much!" she said. "Thank God, it's only a flesh wound. The doctor says Trent can come home tomorrow." She paused, then added thoughtfully, "You know, Pudge trespassed, but Trent was wounded. This reminds me of myself. I trespassed against God-I sinned. I was doomed for eternal death, but Jesus stepped in and took my place. The Bible says, 'He was wounded for my transgressions.' He took my place on Calvary's cross-and He took your place, too, Mr. Crossley. He loves you that much."

Mr. Crossley was listening intently. "I sure don't see
why," he murmured, "but I'd like to hear more about this."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize how much Jesus loves you? You, too, have trespassed (sinned) against God, but Jesus took the punishment you deserve. He was wounded and died for you. Trust Him as Savior today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Isaiah 53:5)
He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions (sins).

[Soldier4Christ]

Clarissa carried a handful of cookies and a glass of milk into the utility
room where Mom was folding laundry. "Mom, can I call Amber and invite her over?"

 

Mom added a towel to the stack on the dryer. "Who is Amber?" she asked.

"She's my new friend." Clarissa dunked a cookie into her milk.

"I suppose you want to call Jolene, too," said Mom. 

Clarissa shook her head. "No. We had a fight. Anyway, Amber is much more popular."

"Oh?" Mom frowned slightly as she handed Clarissa a stack of towels. "Take these to the guest bathroom, please," said Mom.

As Clarissa set her milk on the dryer, Mom asked, "Are Stacy and Maddison still your friends?" 

Clarissa shrugged. "Not really. They're . . . well . . . Amber's more fun." As she turned to leave, she bumped the glass of milk. "May I . . . oops!" Milk poured down the side of the dryer. "Sorry!" Clarissa set the stack of towels down and picked up the one on top. 

"Don't use that clean towel!" exclaimed Mom. She quickly pulled paper towels from the roll on the wall. "Here! Use these!"

Clarissa sopped up the milk, and then threw the paper towels into the trash. Mom watched thoughtfully. "Paper towels are pretty handy. Just use them and toss them."

Clarissa shrugged. "That's what's good about them."

"Yes, but unlike paper towels, friends should not be disposable," said Mom. "Friends are valuable, but you've been treating them like paper towels. You seem to want to use them, and then throw them away." She pointed to a lovely yellow towel on top of the stack. "When a friendship gets smudged, clean it. You need more than one friend, just like our family needs more than one towel." 

Clarissa held the stack of clean-smelling, fluffy towels to her cheek. She smiled. "Can I call Amber and Jolene and Stacy and Maddison and invite them over?"

"All of them?" Mom laughed. "You got me that time. Call
them. The more the merrier."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you value your friends? Are you willing to spend time repairing and maintaining friendships? Or do you jump from friend to friend? Making new friends is great, but follow God's advice and don't toss the old ones in the process. Continue to love them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 27:10)
Thine own friend  . . . forsake not.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jeff was annoyed. "Why do Mom and Dad have to be so old-fashioned?" he
muttered to himself. "Everybody else gets to go-even Phil." Jeff's parents
wouldn't let him go to Sam's party because Sam's parents were out of town. Sam's
older brother, James, was to chaperone the party, but he didn't have a very good
reputation.
 

The next day was Saturday, and Jeff's friend Phil came over to play. "Did you know that Alan Benton is in the hospital?" asked Phil as soon as he arrived. "They think he may have spinal meningitis-and we sat next to him on the bus yesterday! My mom says if he has it, we'll probably have to get shots!"

"Oh, no!" groaned Jeff. "How come?"

"Because it's contagious, and we've been exposed," Phil explained. "My mom thinks there are shots that might keep us from getting it. It's a really serious disease."

"I sure hope Alan's going to be all right," worried Jeff. Then he thought of something else. "By the way, how was the party last night?" he asked.

"Be glad you didn't go!" exclaimed Phil. "James and some of his friends had drugs there-they were using us younger guys as a cover-up. There was a police raid on the house-but I wasn't there. I didn't like the wild music and the way they were acting. I was scared and left before the police came."

Jeff's mother had been listening. "I was afraid something like that might happen," she said. "That's why I didn't want you to go, Jeff. I didn't want you to be exposed to sin."

"But we're exposed to sin every day," protested Jeff. "Sin is everywhere."

"That's true," agreed Mom. "And spinal meningitis germs could be anywhere, too. But there's more danger some places than others."

Phil nodded. "I get it! We were in more danger sitting
next to Alan on the bus than we would have been somewhere away from him," he
said, "and I was in more danger at the party than you were at home, Jeff. Wow!
Two close calls for me in one day-double exposure!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do the places you go, the friends you choose, or the TV programs you watch expose you to sin? Do they encourage you to do such things as drink alcohol, smoke, cheat, swear, or disobey? You need to avoid these kinds of influences. They're a real danger to you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 13:20)
A companion of fools shall be destroyed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Let's go outside and ride bikes, Phil, said Jeff after the boys had played
computer games for a little while. Phil agreed, and they went out to play.
 

Before long, Jeff's mother came out. "Good news, boys," she told them. "Alan's mother just called to say that Alan has some kind of virus infection. He's quite sick, but he doesn't have meningitis."

"All right!" exclaimed Jeff. "Old Alan will be okay!"

"And we don't need shots," added Phil. He clapped Jeff on the back.

Jeff grinned. "You got off easy this time," he said. "You thought you were doubly exposed-once to doing wrong things and once to meningitis-but I guess you're not going to suffer any bad consequences from either one."

Phil nodded. "I'm glad I don't need to get a shot," he said, "but if Alan did have meningitis, the shot would at least have been available. It's too bad we can't take shots to prevent sin, too."

"There are no shots for that," agreed Jeff's mom with a smile, "but there is something we can do. We can keep our resistance up. You know that we can guard our health and keep up our physical resistance to disease by eating a balanced diet and getting proper rest and exercise. How do you suppose we keep up our spiritual resistance to sin?"

The boys thought about it. "I guess going to church would help," suggested Phil, "and being with Christian friends."

Jeff nodded. "Yeah, and praying and reading the Bible and other good books."

Mom smiled. "Good suggestions," she said. "If you guard
your heart by exposing yourself to such things, you'll be less likely to give in
when you're tempted to sin."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you regularly attend church and Sunday school where the Bible is clearly taught? Do you listen to music that is honoring to God? Do the books you read draw you closer to Him? Do you seek companionship of Christian friends? All these things will help build up your resistance to sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 13:20)
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mike, listen to me say this verse, said Juan one day, "and then you
can repeat it after me." Juan recited each word slowly. He was helping a
neighbor boy learn a memory verse for Sunday school. Mike tried to repeat the
verse, but he stumbled over unfamiliar words. After several attempts, Juan
scowled. "You're hopeless," he said. He pushed a study book at Mike. "Take this
and go home and practice."
 

Mike held the study book close to his chest. "I'll do better next week," he whispered.

Juan rolled his eyes and muttered, "Yeah, right." As the boys stood up and turned to go outdoors, Juan saw his mom in the doorway. A frown replaced her usual smile. "How long have you been there?" asked Juan.

"Long enough," replied Mom. She smiled at Mike. "Come again anytime, Mike," she said.

Later that day, Juan's parents were studying pictures they had spread across the table. Dad looked up when Juan came in. "These are pictures that were taken before, during, and after the Harrison Hotel construction," said Dad. "I need to choose photos to use in my newspaper article about the project."

Juan picked up a picture. "I like this one-it's a good 'before' shot. You can see all of the old building and the crane." He pointed to dates stamped on some of the pictures. "They tore down the old building in only a week," he said, "but it took over a year to build the new one. I guess it's easier to tear down than to build up."

"Yes," agreed Dad. "Unfortunately, that seems to be the case in any area of life, not just in construction."

Mom nodded. "For some reason-our sinful nature, I guess-we often find it easier to criticize people for what they do wrong than to praise them for their good qualities," she said. "We get impatient instead of helping and encouraging them." She looked at Juan, and he remembered how impatient he had been with Mike. He suspected that Mom was remembering, too. 

"God wants us to 'build up' others in the faith, not
tear them down," added Dad.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your words and your attitude encourage others? Ask God to help you be a builder. He can help you criticize less and compliment more. He can teach you patience with those who need extra help. Use words to show others that with God's help, they can accomplish much.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 3:13)
Exhort one another daily.

[Soldier4Christ]

That was your father, Kate, said Mom as she hung up the phone. "There was
a fire at Grandma Rodgers' house this morning. She wasn't home, so she didn't
get hurt-but she did lose most of her things."
 

"Oh, no," groaned Kate. "Where will she stay?"

"She'll be with Aunt Lou for a few days," said Mom, "and then she'll be coming to stay with us for a while."

"Mom, why would God let something like this happen to a Christian?" Kate asked. "I don't get it."

"Troubles are a part of this life," said Mom, "for both unbelievers and Christians. The big difference is that Christians have someone to turn to for help."

"But to lose everything!" moaned Kate. "It's too much!" She turned to her little sister, who was pulling on her arm. "Okay, Gracie," said Kate. "I'll go out with you for a while."

The girls went outside, but before very long, they were back. Little Grace held out her hands and sobbed. "Mommy!" she cried. "Hands hurt!"

"We were picking blackberries," explained Kate. "Grace loved them, and she was having fun until she got her hands scratched on a bush."

"Bush!" screamed Grace. "Bad bush!"

"It's not a bad bush," Kate told her as Mom cleaned the little girl's hands. "It has yummy berries on it. You just have to be more careful."

Mom gave Grace a hug. "Kate is right," Mom told her. "The berries were good, weren't they?" Grace nodded. "You know, Kate," continued Mom, "I'm afraid we're often like Grace."

Kate looked up. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Because she was hurt by that blackberry bush, Grace
couldn't see any good in it," replied Mom. "She quickly forgot how good the
berries were. In much the same way, when we get hurt by things that happen, we
often can't see that there's anything good about them. For example, we don't see
why Grandma Rodgers had to lose her home, yet God says everything that happens
to a Christian is meant for good. We can't always see it, but God can. We need
to remember that He's much wiser than we are."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you become angry at God when something bad happens to you or to someone you love? You may not always understand how a difficult situation could be for your good, but God does. Trust Him in any circumstances!


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

[Soldier4Christ]

This is quite a storm! exclaimed Grandpa Wilson, who lived in a cottage on
the Paranak River.
 

Ellen and Andy, who were visiting him, nodded. "The news reporter on TV said the roads all through this area are impassable already," said Andy, "so we can't get out of here, can we?"

"Not by car," said Grandpa, "but I'm afraid this whole area might be flooded if the Paranak Dam breaks. I think the best thing for us to do is to get into my boat and head down river." So they hastily gathered a few things and set off.

As they moved downstream, they stopped at each cottage they passed, urging the families to leave, too. Most of the people were unconcerned. "The dam has never broken, and I'm sure it won't now," they said. "We'll be fine."

At one place, a party was in progress. The people laughed when Grandpa warned them that a flood might occur. "Oh, ho-ho! If it isn't just like Noah and his ark!" called one man. "Where are all your animals, Noah?"

Grandpa sighed. "I wish these people would come," he said, "but they won't, so we'll go on."

Finally, Grandpa and the children reached a safe place. Not long after that, the dam did break. Tons of water rushed over the river banks, resulting in much loss of life and property. "I feel awful about the people who could have left, but wouldn't," said Ellen sadly.

"Remember the one who called Grandpa 'Noah'?" asked Andy. "Well, Grandpa's first name is Noah, and we were a little like Noah in the Bible, warning people about a flood. No one believed him, either."

"That's true," mused Grandpa. "It's sad when lives are
lost because folks don't believe warnings of coming trouble. It's even more sad
when souls are lost because they don't believe warnings about God's judgment.
That could come at any moment, too. Noah and his family were safe because they
believed God. That's a picture of those who trust Christ-for only those who have
accepted Jesus as personal Savior will be safe when God's judgment
comes."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you trusted Christ as your Savior? Or are you-like the people at the party-having too much fun? Do you feel there is no danger? Trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior before it's too late. Don't put it off!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 2:3)
How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?

[Soldier4Christ]

Can we have a bonfire and roast marshmallows, Dad? asked Tessa after
helping her father rake up dry leaves and twigs in the vacant lot behind their
house. "I brought out some matches."
 

"Not today," said Dad. "It's much too dry and windy."

"Oh, please!" begged Tessa.

But Dad was firm. "No fire," he said as he went to the house. "Put the matches away, Tessa." 

"I don't see what he's so nervous about," muttered Tessa after Dad left. "It's not all that windy." She took out a match, looked at it a moment, and then lighted it. She watched the fire burn its way toward her fingers. Then she blew it out. She lit a second match to see if she could let it burn a little farther down. This time, she let it go too far, and . . . "Ouch!" she exclaimed. She quickly dropped the match-right into a pile of dry leaves and sticks. In a moment, the whole pile was burning and crackling merrily.

Tessa ran to get the hose, hoping to put the fire out before Dad came out again. When she returned, hose in hand, she saw that the wind had blown bits of burning material around, and other fires were starting as well. She screamed as a large piece was blown toward the garage roof. Her mother came to the window, took one look, and ran to call the fire department.

After the firemen left, Tessa sat with her parents in the kitchen. "I'm so thankful no serious damage was done," said Dad. "But you have some explaining to do, Tessa."

"I didn't mean to do it," sobbed Tessa after telling how it had happened. "I'm s-s-sorry, but it was an accident."

"I know," said Dad with a sigh, "but you know you are not
to play with matches. If you had obeyed, the accident wouldn't have happened.
Your disobedience must be punished. God has given Mom and me the responsibility
of tending to that. I'm sorry, too, and I hope you've learned your lesson,
honey."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you're punished too much? God has given your parents the responsibility of training you. That includes punishing you when you do wrong. They punish you because they love you and want you to learn self-control so that you won't keep doing wrong things. Thank God for parents who care.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 13:24)
He that loveth him (his son) chasteneth him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tessa had so hoped to be the princess in the school play, but Miss Moore
gave Jana Burns the part. "Jana's so braggy about it," grumbled Tessa to her
friend Lynn. "With a family like hers, I wouldn't brag so much."
 

"What's the matter with her family?" Lynn asked eagerly. After a little coaxing, Tessa informed her that Jana's father drank and her mother had a mental problem. "Wow!" exclaimed Lynn. "Let's not play with her anymore." Scowling, Tessa agreed. After all, I should have been the princess! she thought.

"I heard something very disturbing today," said Tessa's mother a couple of weeks later. "Rumors about the Burns family have apparently been circulating at school, and I heard that the kids have been avoiding Jana. What do you know about this, Tessa?" Tessa just shrugged, but Mom noticed her face turning red. "The story is that Mr. Burns is a drunkard and that Mrs. Burns may have to go to a mental institution," added Mom, watching Tessa closely. "You didn't have anything to do with starting these rumors, did you, Tessa?"

"Uh . . . well, I didn't mean to," stammered Tessa, "but Jana did say her father took a drink at a Christmas party, and that he said her mom was about to . . . I mean . . . he said he didn't know how her mom kept from having a nervous breakdown."

"Tessa, those things should not have been repeated," said Mom sternly, "but those things are entirely different from what's being said now. This just goes to show how gossip grows and spreads."

Dad frowned. "Remember the leaf fire we had not long ago?" he asked. "One little match caused so much trouble! And one little tongue has done the same. This fire may be harder to put out than the other."

"Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry," cried Tessa.

"Well, in the morning you'll have to go over to Jana's
house to explain and apologize," Dad told her. "And at school, you'll have to
straighten out the story with all those you've talked to. Even then, you may
never be able to repair all the damage you've done, but you'll have to
try."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you control your tongue? Or does it give you trouble? Whenever you're tempted to tell an unkind thing, remember that what you say could spread like fire. Don't be responsible for starting gossip or for spreading it. It can cause so much heartache and damage.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 3:6)
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

The evening church service was over, and Michael went to help his mother
straighten up the nursery. Rain poured outside, so when they were almost
finished, Mom went to get the car while Michael picked up the few remaining
toys. Just as he was ready to leave, a crash of thunder shook the building and
all the lights went out! "Oh, great!" said Michael, waiting for his eyes to
adjust to the blackness. They didn't. The room was deep in the building and had
no windows. I'll just have to be careful, he thought.
 

Michael walked cautiously toward the door. His knee bumped into something. He reached down and felt a table the toddlers used. He stepped to the right. "Ow!" he exclaimed. His head caught the corner of a shelf, which rattled as books fell. Michael groped for the wall. This isn't like the power going off at home, he thought. There you know where things are. Though he wasn't afraid of the dark, an uneasy feeling gripped him. He edged around a long table, then walked straight into a stack of building blocks the little kids had used. They tumbled as Michael fell to his knees. This is ridiculous, he thought. He found the wall and moved slowly toward the door. Where is Mom anyway? I need a light!"

Just then, at the end of the hall, a flashlight flickered. "Hang on, Son," called Mom. "I'm coming."

As they headed home, Michael told his mother about the verse his class had learned that day. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path," he quoted. "I think I'll tell my teacher that it didn't give me any light in that dark building tonight."

Mom laughed. "I'm sure you know that verse isn't talking about physical light," she said. "It's referring to the wisdom God will give us as we think about what He teaches in His Word, and the direction He gives for our lives. Does that make sense to you?"

Michael nodded. "That's pretty much what my teacher said, too."

"I'm sure stumbling through the nursery in the dark was
bad enough," said Mom, "but stumbling through life with no light is unthinkable,
isn't it?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is it sometimes hard to "see" what you should do? What decisions you should make? Are right and wrong not always as clear as you'd like? As you get to know God through prayer and Bible study, His "light" will help you make choices that please Him. Don't stumble through life without His help.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 119:105)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

[Soldier4Christ]

My English teacher gave each of us the name of someone in another state,
and we're supposed to exchange letters with them, Moriah excitedly reported one
day. "My pen pal's name is Jenny Parker."
 

Moriah sat down that evening and wrote her first letter to Jenny. She told all about herself, her church, and her family. Soon a reply came from Jenny. It contained a picture and told about Jenny's big family and their house in the country. Jenny also mentioned that her family didn't go to church.

During the next several months, Moriah and Jenny wrote many letters. They both hoped to meet someday. One afternoon, Moriah came running into the kitchen, holding a letter in her hand. "Mom! Mom!" she shouted. "Jenny's dad is coming to our town on business, and he said Jenny could come, too. Can she stay with us that weekend? Can she, Mom? Can she?"

Mom laughed. "Calm down!" she said. "I'll check with your father, but I'm sure it'll be okay."

Jenny did come to Moriah's house, and the two girls had so much fun talking and getting to know each other better!

After supper, Dad read a few verses from the Bible. One of them referred to Abraham as a friend of God. "Mr. Davis," said Jenny, "I don't understand. I don't know who Abraham was, but I don't see how he could be God's friend. We can't see God, so how can anybody be friends with Him?"

"Tell me, Jenny, how did you get to be friends with Moriah?" asked Dad. "Did you see her first?"

"Well . . . no," Jenny replied. "Moriah told me all about herself in her letters."

Dad nodded. "God has written us a letter, too," he said. "It's the Bible. It tells us what God is like, and that He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for our sins. It says that by receiving Jesus as Savior, we can know Him in a personal way, even though we can't see Him."

Jenny thought it over. She smiled as she looked at
Moriah. "Well, I'm sure glad I got to know Moriah," she said. "I think I'd like
to know more about Jesus, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know God? Even though you can't see Him, you can learn about Him by reading the Bible-God's letter to you. By faith, believe in God and His Word and trust in Jesus, God's Son. Then you can look forward to heaven where you will someday meet Him in person.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 1:
Whom having not seen, ye love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Patricia clapped her hands over her ears. "Todd, you're hurting my ears
with all that horn honking!" she exclaimed. "Mom, please, make him stop that!"
 

Mom grimaced. "Todd, let Patricia help you take your tricycle to the playroom in the basement."

"But I wanna ride up here," wailed three-year-old Todd. "I like my new horn." He reached for the squeeze bulb on the handlebars.

Patricia grabbed his hand. "Stop that! You're bursting my eardrums!" She picked up the tricycle and started for the stairs, with her little brother following and wailing loudly.

When Patricia returned to the kitchen, she said, "Now I can tell you my news, Mom. I've been promoted to the Advanced Class. Only five percent of the kids make that class." Her chin went up.

Mom turned off the water and gave her a hug. "Congratulations, honey!" she said.

Patricia beamed. "I've got to call and tell Granddad and Aunt Marty and Stephanie and some others." She picked up the portable phone and dialed. For several minutes, Patricia paced the floor and talked on the phone. The longer she talked, the more serious Mom looked.

When Patricia hung up after the sixth call and started dialing another number, Mom said, "That's enough, Patricia. You're hurting my ears!" 

Patricia looked puzzled. "Hurting your ears!" she exclaimed. "But, Mom, I'm not even talking loud."

"No," Mom replied, "but you're blowing your own horn, and it is not pleasant to hear." 

"What do you mean, Mom? I just . . ." began Patricia.

Mom held up her hand. "You've been telling people how wonderful you are-and how smart. Bragging is 'blowing your own horn,' and no one likes to hear it," she said. "God has blessed you with a sharp mind, and your teachers have helped you develop that mind. You have much to be thankful for-but remember that all you have comes from the Lord."

Honk-honk-honk! The faint sound of a tricycle horn
drifted up the stairs. Mom smiled, "If you're going to honk your own horn,
honey, do it in the basement."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you like to hear people brag? Do you brag yourself? It's great to be promoted or receive a special honor-so go ahead and be excited when that happens, but don't brag. It's much more pleasant to the ear when others praise you. Never forget that any ability or talent you have comes from God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 27:2)
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth.