Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

When Sara went out to play on her swing, she saw a little bird in the
grass. The bird flapped its wings but did not fly. Oh-h-h-h. Poor little bird!
It's hurt, thought Sara. I think it has a broken wing. Maybe we could help it.
She tried to catch the bird, but each time she got close, it fluttered out of
her reach. It led her to the front of the house. Sara moved slowly and quietly
toward it. Just when she thought she might be able to catch it, it flew up and
perched on a wire high above her. Sara was surprised. That bird can fly! Why did
it act as if its wing was hurt? she wondered. She ran to the house to ask her
mother about it.
 

Mom smiled when she heard Sara's story. "There's a nest with baby birds in the maple tree out back," she said. "I think that must have been the mother bird and that she wanted to lead you away from her babies."

"But wasn't she afraid I'd catch her?" asked Sara.

"Maybe," said Mom, "but she'd rather have you come after her than get too near her family." Mom smiled at Sara and gave her a hug. "She's a good mother, isn't she? And a pretty typical one, too, I think. Most parents love their children so much that they'd do almost anything to keep them safe."

"That's awesome!" exclaimed Sara. "We don't think about that very often."

"What's even more awesome is that someone loves us more than parents do," said Mom. "Someone actually died for us."

"You mean Jesus, don't you?" asked Sara. 

Mom nodded. "He willingly died so that we could have our sins forgiven. We know that, but we don't often think about how much love that took. It makes me feel good to think someone loves me that much."

"Me, too," agreed Sara.

When Sara went back to her swing, she heard baby birds
chirping way up in the tree. "Your mother loves you," she told them, "but God
loves me even more."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you appreciate how much Jesus loves you? He gave up His life so you can go to heaven. Have you accepted Him and received the great gift He offers? If not, do so today. Then let your life show that you love God, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 3:16)
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jay dropped his books on the table in the entry and went down the
hall to the utility room.
 

"How was your day?" Mom asked as she looked up from ironing.

"Terrible!" grumbled Jay angrily. "I failed a math test and have to take it over again. My best friend is moving. To top it off, I ran into the principal's daughter in the hall and knocked her down."

"Wow!" Mom said. "Sounds like quite a day."

"Why did it have to be her?" moaned Jay.

Mom shook her head. "I don't know, but I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure she knows you didn't do it on purpose. Why don't you go have a snack? You're probably hungry, and that will make you feel better."

 "Maybe, but I doubt it. I'm too stressed-out," muttered Jay, but he started for the kitchen. Then he stopped. "Is that my club shirt you're ironing?" he asked. "I need it now. I'm in a hurry."

Mom frowned and offered him the half-ironed shirt. 

Jay shook his head. "I'm not in that big a hurry," he said. "I'll wait."

Just then the phone rang. "You can finish ironing it," suggested Mom as she headed for the phone. She grinned. "It will be good practice for when you get married," she teased.

When Mom returned, she was surprised to see that Jay had just finished pressing the shirt. He proudly held it up. "Look at this-wrinkle-free," he said with a grin.

Mom smiled. "The heat and pressure of the iron took the wrinkles out of the shirt," she said, "and God uses the heat and pressure of trials and trouble to get the wrinkles out of us, Jay."

"Wrinkles?" Jay repeated as he pulled off his T-shirt. He rubbed his forehead. "I don't have wrinkles yet." 

"I'm thinking of wrinkles in our personalities-things
like impatience, anger, and self-pity, just to name a few," said Mom. "They need
to be 'ironed' out, and God knows just how much 'heat' and pressure is needed to
take care of them. He never gives us more than we can handle with His
help."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever feel like you are being pressured on all sides? Remember the iron and the shirt. Be patient as God presses the wrinkles out of you. It may be uncomfortable for a little while, but it will make you a better person.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Timothy 4:5)
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions.

[Soldier4Christ]

As Shane took out a pile of homework, he heard Kristin, his three-year-old
sister, loudly complaining about something. He began to work, but the noise his
sister was making distracted him. "What's wrong with Kristin?" Shane asked
impatiently. "Her whining is driving me crazy. I have more homework than anyone
should be expected to do, and she's not making it any easier." Kristin made a
face and threw a sock at Shane.
 

"She wants someone to put her socks on for her," Mom answered calmly.

"But she knows how to put her own socks on," said Shane. "Oh, well . . . I'll do it, just to quiet her down!"

"Just a minute, please," Mom said. "Kristin also knows how to ask nicely for things. So far, all she's done is whine and throw her socks."

"Yeah," muttered Shane, "but I don't know if I can stand that noise much longer."

Mom nodded. "I wonder if God ever feels that way when we complain and get angry instead of asking Him for what we need," she said. "I'm sure you'll have to agree that we often grumble about things instead of praying about them."

Shane frowned. "You mean like just now when I complained about my homework and Kristin's noise?" he asked. "Does God want me to pray about even those kinds of things?"

"I wasn't thinking of that," said Mom. "I had a different problem in mind-but, yes, God wants us to pray about everything." She smiled. "Why don't we pray now?" Mom and Shane bowed their heads. "Dear Father, thank You for caring about all the details of our lives," prayed Mom. "Right now we ask You to help Shane with his homework and to help Kristin learn to ask instead of whine. Please help each of us to do that-help us to remember that You know what's best for all of us. Thank You for hearing us." 

As Mom finished praying, Kristin walked up to her and
held up her socks. "P'ease help me put my socks on, Mommy," she said sweetly. As
Mom hugged Kristin and helped her, Shane smiled and got busy with his
homework.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pray only at meal times and bedtime, or do you pray about things all through the day? God cares about everything you care about, and He wants you to ask for His help. He may not always give quick solutions to your problems, but He knows what is best and is pleased to give it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thess. 5:17)
Pray without ceasing.

[Soldier4Christ]

After his mother left, Sam stretched out in the shade of the old apple
tree. He patted his dog, Prince. "I didn't really lie when I said I was sick,
did I, old boy?" asked Sam. "I really am sick-sick of Brad. Last time I was
there, he beat me at every game we played. He thinks he's so good! I'm sick of
him." He grinned to himself. "Yeah, I'm sick all right! I'm just glad Mom agreed
to let me stay home while she goes over there."
 

Mom hadn't been gone long when one of Sam's friends came over. "It's hot!" exclaimed Garth. "Let's go down to Miller's pond and wade a little."

Sam hesitated. "Mom said to stay home and rest-she thinks I'm sick," he said. 

"Oh, come on," coaxed Garth. "We'll just wade around the edge, and we'll get back before she's home." It seemed like such a good idea that Sam soon gave in.

The boys were having a great time wading when suddenly, with a muffled scream, Sam disappeared under the water. "Swim, Sam! Swim!" yelled Garth when Sam reappeared. And swim Sam did! Soon he crawled from the pond-scared, muddy, and soaked.

The boys hurried home, and when he got there, Sam was dismayed to find that his mother had already returned! She demanded an explanation. "I . . . I wasn't really sick sick," admitted Sam. "I was just sick of Brad. He . . . he always beats me in everything." Mom frowned and Sam hurried on. "Garth and I meant to just play around the edge of the pond-just wade in the shallow water," he said, "but before we knew it, we were in too deep, and then I stepped in that hole."

Mom nodded. "That figures," she said. "That's how sin works."

"How sin works?" asked Sam uncertainly.

Mom nodded. "That pond is shallow around the edge, but
it's filled with unseen, dangerous holes," she said. "Sin may seem 'shallow' at
first, too. It doesn't start with what we consider a big, deep crime. It starts
with little things that don't seem important-like jealousy in your heart. That
led to lying and disobedience. It doesn't pay to play around the edge of sin.
Now we need to talk about your punishment."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a "small" thing you know you should not do, yet it's attractive to you? Do you give in and do the thing you know is wrong? That's dangerous, and it may lead to doing other wrong things. Confess your sin, and ask God to help you stay away from all sin. Don't give in to temptation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:7)
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Slug bug blue! exclaimed Pete when he spied a blue Volkswagen. He slugged
Terry who was sitting beside him. The boys were playing their favorite game on
the way home from school-seeing who could spot the most Volkswagens.
 

Maria sighed. She pulled down the mirror on the sun visor. "My freckles look awful," she wailed. "I look like a monster."

"Slug bug yellow!" Terry yelled and slugged Pete as a yellow Volkswagen sped past them. 

Maria frowned. "If I can't do something about these freckles, I think I'll go into hiding," she said mournfully.

"Now, Maria, you're being silly. Lots of people have freckles, and I think they make you look cute," Mom consoled her as she turned onto their street.

"Slug bug black!" This time Pete got Terry. He laughed when Terry said he hit too hard. "That was a bus," Pete said. "The bigger the bug, the bigger the slug."

"That's not one of the rules!" Terry argued. "Mom?"

"Boys, if you can't play without arguing, forget the game," Mom ordered.

"Slug bug blue!" Both boys laughed as they spotted the same Volkswagen at the same time. 

Maria turned around and glared at her little brothers. "I think you're making those up. I've never seen that many Volkswagens in my life, much less in one short trip home from school."

"You don't see them because you aren't looking for them," Terry said. "You only see what you look for."

Maria looked in the mirror again. You only see what you look for, she thought. This time she noticed her hair and eyes. Suddenly, the freckles didn't seem so bad after all. As Mom braked to turn into the driveway, Maria repeated, "You only see what you look for."

"That's often true," agreed Mom, "and God has provided
lots of good things for us to see. Let's try to remember to look for them-in
both physical appearance and also in the actions of others."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you see-good things or bad? What you look for is often what you will see. Ask God to help you watch for smiles and sunshine, friends and fun, love and laughter, and all the other wonderful blessings He sends into your life each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 68:19)
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mom! yelled Joel as he ran up on the porch. "Mrs. Ward left Dylan in the
car when she went back into the house. He must have put it into gear!" Mom
looked out and saw a neighbor's car careening out of control down the street.
"Look at it go!" gasped Joel breathlessly.
 

"Oh, Lord," prayed Mom, "please stop it before it gets to the intersection." They watched as the car turned sharply, veered onto the curb, and ran into a tree. Mom grabbed her cell phone so she could call for help, and she and Joel quickly ran to the car. They found the little boy frightened, but not hurt.

When the excitement was over, Joel and Mom returned to the house. "I see that you didn't take the trash out this morning, Joel," said Mom. "Please take care of it." Joel shrugged and didn't move. "Right now!" said Mom. Joel frowned and angrily threw down a sports magazine. He grabbed the wastebasket and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. "Come back here!" ordered Mom. Joel returned to the kitchen and stood scowling at his mother. "You go back out that door and close it quietly!" said Mom sternly. The scowl on Joel's face deepened. He glared at his mother when her back was turned, but he did as he was told.

When Joel returned to the kitchen, he picked up a newspaper. "Look at this article," he said. "It says this guy shot his neighbor in a fit of anger over a dog! That was a stupid thing to do."

"Yes, it was," agreed Mom. "Most fits of anger are stupid and dangerous." She looked at Joel thoughtfully. "An uncontrolled temper is like a car out of control," she added. "That man's problem may have started when he was a boy who slammed doors and threw temper tantrums."

Joel frowned. "Just because someone slams a door doesn't mean he's going to be a murderer," he objected.

"Just because a car careens down a street out of control
doesn't mean it will kill anyone, either, but it could," replied Mom. "It's a
dangerous situation. We need God's help and power for self control. Are you
willing to let God help you?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a problem with your temper? Do you get angry quickly and talk back, scowl, or throw things? If so, you are being very foolish. When you feel angry, talk to someone about why you are angry, and seek God's help. Ask Him to help you develop more patience.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 14:17)
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.

[Soldier4Christ]

I don't see why I can't listen to what I want in my own room! Darci
complained as she went to get ready to go to her grandparents house. Mom's just
not with it, she thought to herself. She'll never let me play the kind of music
all the other kids do.
 

On the way to her grandparents farm, Darci sang softly to herself. "Sing louder," suggested Mom, "so we can hear the words." But Darci was obviously embarrassed and said she didn't know the song well enough. "Darci, if you don't want to repeat those words to us, do you think it's good for you to be repeating them to yourself?" asked Mom.

Dad spoke up. "Grandpa and I plan to work on some traps tonight," he said. "Do you know that Satan has traps, too? Music can be one of them. You may not actually believe the words you sing at first, but eventually they will have an effect."

"That's right," agreed Mom. "I think you'll have to agree that the words to many songs you enjoy are negative and mock what God says. To encourage rebellion against God and what He says is wrong. Satan is behind those kinds of messages." She paused, then added, "Think about it, honey. If the wrong kind of music doesn't have a hold on you, why do you have to be told so often to shut it off? You need to break loose from the trap while you can."

Several days later, soft music played in the background as Darci helped her mother. "You seem to have changed your listening habits," observed Mom. "I haven't had to tell you to shut off that other music for some time. What persuaded you to change?"

"It was the night at Grandpa's farm," answered Darci. "I
went along to inspect the traps, and we found one where a coyote had been
caught. He had fought to get loose-and he did, but he left his foot in the trap!
It still makes me sick. I remembered what you said about Satan's trap, and I
wanted to get away before I got hurt that badly."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does the wrong kind of music have you in its grip? Don't let Satan trap you through your sense of hearing. Ask God to help you choose good music. Sing joyfully, using songs with words that honor Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 98:4)
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mom, said Kimberly when her mother came in to tuck her into bed, "there's
so much in the Bible I don't understand-like what we read after dinner tonight.
What does it mean, about trumpets sounding and dead people rising in the air?"
(See today's Scripture.)
 

Mom smiled. "That's what we call the 'rapture' of the church," she said. "It will happen when Jesus comes to take all Christians to heaven. Only God knows when that will be."

"What about the dead coming out of the graves? Will Daddy come out of his grave, too?" asked Kimberly. "It all sounds so strange."

Mom smiled. "It will be a wonderful day!" she said.

Kimberly shuddered. "It doesn't sound wonderful to me! It sounds scary! I hope it doesn't happen for a long, long time. Jesus won't come tonight, will He?" she asked anxiously.

"He may not," answered Mom, "but it's possible. Why does that make you so afraid, honey?"

"Because it's spooky!" exclaimed Kimberly, pulling the blankets around her. "It gives me the creeps to think of seeing the Lord suddenly in the middle of the night!"

"Kimberly, tell me . . . will you be afraid to see your daddy again," asked Mom, "or do you want to see him?"

"Afraid to see Daddy?" echoed Kimberly. "I can't wait to see him! I loved him, and I know he loved me."

Mom spoke quickly. "You're not afraid to see your daddy because you loved one another, but you are afraid to see the Lord Jesus. Could it be because you don't know and love Jesus?"

Kimberly looked thoughtful. "I guess that's it," she admitted.

"Only those who are not saved need to be afraid when
they think about Jesus coming," said Mom, "because they'll be left behind." She
took Kimberly's hand. "Would you like to know Jesus right now so you'll be ready
to meet Him?" She was pleased to see Kimberly nod her head.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ready for Jesus to come today? He may come at any moment. Only those who have trusted Jesus as Savior will rise to meet Him. If you have not yet done that, accept Him today! (See page 66.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 24:44)
Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.

[Soldier4Christ]

Nick and his sister Laura were having a wonderful vacation at the
seashore. They spent hours on the beach-swimming, building sand castles, hunting
for shells, and making new friends. "Want to come with Scott and me to find
shells?" asked Nick one day. "He knows where to find some big ones."
 

"Scott!" echoed Laura. "You're not going to play with him, are you? He talks funny. He sounds like a baby, and he's all crippled up!"

"So what? That doesn't mean we can't play with him," replied Nick. "He's really nice-I like him."

"Well, if you're not careful, no one will want to play with you, either," declared Laura. "I'll find my own shells." She turned and went in the opposite direction. 

When Laura returned home that afternoon, she found that Nick had gotten there first, and he had several very nice shells. "Ooohhh! Those are so big!" exclaimed Laura. "The only whole shells I found were small ones. I like your shells a lot better than mine." She sighed as she added, "I wish I had gone with you."

"Even though Scott went with me?" asked Nick. Laura blushed and glanced at Mom.

"That's a fair question," said Mom. "Nick told me how you feel about Scott." She picked up one of Nick's shells and held it out to Laura. "Look at this closely," she said.

Laura took the shell and examined it. "It has a broken edge!" she said in surprise. She picked up another one. "This one has a little crack, too."

"Yes," said Mom, "but they're beautiful anyway, aren't they?"

Laura nodded. "I kept only perfect ones, but these are nicer even if they're not perfect." 

"It seems to me you're treating people the same way you
treated shells," said Mom. "Scott doesn't look perfect to you, so you 'threw him
away'-you refused to play with him." Laura looked ashamed as Mom continued. "God
made all of us-including Scott. We don't always understand why God does certain
things, but He has a purpose for everything and everyone. We need to remember
that each one is equally special to Him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know people who look "different"? God made them as they are for reasons we don't understand. He expects us to accept them-to talk with them, play with them, and show Jesus' love.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Exodus 4:11)
Who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord?

[Soldier4Christ]

I miss our old house, said Todd, "but it's kinda nice living out here on
Grandpa's farm." Todd thought back to the problems that had caused them to move
into a trailer on the farm. First, little Justin had been seriously injured in a
car accident. Soon after he came home from the hospital, the company Dad worked
for went bankrupt, and Dad was out of work. Dad found a new job, but he had to
be gone a few nights each week.
 

Mom smiled. "Living near Grandpa is one of the blessings that has come along with the troubles," she said. She glanced out the window. "It's terribly windy, and I think we're in for quite a storm," she added. "Let's get over to Grandpa's house. We'll be safer there." She picked up Justin, and soon they were all huddled together in Grandpa's basement. Even there, they could hear the storm raging outside.

"Let's pray together," suggested Grandpa. They all bowed their heads, and Grandpa prayed aloud. As he thanked God for the rain, Todd couldn't believe his ears! Grandpa didn't even ask God to stop the storm!

When the storm finally stopped, they hurried out to look things over. "It's still raining a little," said Mom, "but look at the beautiful rainbow the storm brought us!"

"Grandpa, when you prayed, why didn't you ask God to stop the storm?" asked Todd. 

"The storm brought the rain we need so badly," replied Grandpa, "so the storm was really a blessing." He smiled at Todd and added, "You know, sometimes it takes 'storms' in our lives to bring special blessings, too. When everything goes the way we like it to, we often forget how much we need God. We seem to learn more about Him-and about His love and care for us-when we go through difficult times."

Mom nodded. "I learned that I need to stop questioning God as to why He sends storms into my life," she said. "I need to trust Him to see me through the storms."

Grandpa nodded. "Right!" he agreed. "Faith and trust in
God will give us strength to brave any storm that comes our
way."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there storms in your life-problems at home or at school? Even if you never know the reason for them, trust God. Thank Him and ask Him to help you make the best of whatever comes your way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:2-3)
Count it all joy when ye fall into . . . temptations, knowing . . . the trying of your faith worketh patience.

[Soldier4Christ]

After a good lunch on Father's Day, Kara joined the rest of the family as
they sang "For he's a wonderful father . . . that nobody can outdo!" When the
song ended, little Emma spoke up. "Open presents, Daddy," she said eagerly.
"Open mine first. I made you a picture."
 

"Don't tell," said Kara, but everyone laughed as Emma insisted on helping her father open the package containing the picture she had drawn for him. Then they watched while he opened the rest of his gifts. Each family member had bought or made something for Dad-each one, that is, except for Kara.

"These gifts are wonderful!" declared Dad. "I can hardly wait to use them. Thank you all very much!"

"You didn't open Kara's present," piped up Emma. "Where is it, Kara?"

Kara was embarrassed. Everyone was waiting to see what she had for Dad, and all she had was a card she had begged Mom to let her have. "I . . . I was going to buy or make something, Dad, but I've been so busy," she explained lamely.

Dad was very gracious. "I know you have," he assured her, "and I have enough presents. Come on . . . let's have some of that great-looking cake!"

That night Mom found Kara crying. "I didn't have any present for Dad," sobbed Kara.

"Well, if you didn't have time or money to get something for Dad, the lack of a present isn't important," Mom told her.

"I know, but . . . I could have made something for him," admitted Kara. "You even offered to help me make him some cookies, but I just didn't get around to it."

Mom nodded. "It would have been nice to do something to show your love for your father," she agreed. "It's so easy to say we love someone, but love is more than words. It's action-our actions prove our love."

Kara nodded. "I'm going to make another day Father's Day for Dad!" she declared. "I'll start by cleaning out his car." 

 "He'll be pleased," Mom assured her, "and I'm going to
use this as a reminder that my actions need to show my love for my Father,
too-my heavenly Father."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your actions prove your love for your parents? How about for God? When you stand before Him some day, will you say, "I was going to serve You, but I was too busy"? Or will you hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:15)
They which live should . . . live unto . . . Him which died for them, and rose again.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jaime smiled as she came into the kitchen after school. "Oh, good, Mom!
You're baking cookies! I need some for the party at Sheila's Friday night," she
said. "We're all bringing something. The other girls are bringing pizza, pop,
chips and dip, and pickles."
 

"Maybe I should provide something to settle your stomachs before you go to sleep," teased Mom. "I know how those slumber parties go-you'll eat, play games, listen to music, and just talk till real late at night, right?" Mom laughed. "Sheila's parents must be brave to be willing to put up with all that noise."

Jaime took a bite of a chocolate chip cookie. "Oh, they won't be home till around three in the morning-when they're sure we'll be asleep," she said.

"They won't?" exclaimed Mom. Jaime shook her head. "Well, I'm sorry," said Mom, "but if Sheila's parents aren't going to be there, I can't let you go."

"What? I have to go!" cried Jaime, but Mom remained firm. "You don't trust me," pouted Jaime.

"I do trust you, but I don't trust the circumstances," explained Mom. "Just because I know you're a good swimmer doesn't mean I'd let you try to swim the Niagara Falls. I'm sorry, but my answer is no."

On the day after the party, Sheila called. "Oh, Jaime," she said, "the most awful thing happened! The party was going fine, but then two of the girls started calling up boys. They found out where we were and came over. One of the girls let them in, and they ate our food and made a mess of the house."

"Oh, how awful!" said Jaime.

"Yeah . . . and now the neighbors think we invited the boys over, and they're probably saying bad things about us," continued Sheila. "I sure wish my parents had been here!"

After she hung up the phone, Jaime ran to her mother and gave her a big hug. "What's that for?" asked Mom. 

"For loving me enough to protect me!" replied
Jaime.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that you can't always see the dangers in a situation? If your parents are strict with you, thank God that you have someone to look out for your welfare. Thank your parents, too. That will please-and perhaps surprise-them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 1:
Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

[Soldier4Christ]

Hey, Keith, called Michael as he caught up with his friend in the school
hallway, "want to come to church with me this Sunday?" For months, Michael had
been inviting Keith to come to church and Sunday school with him.
 

"Naah," scoffed Keith. "I'm gonna watch the baseball game on TV. Nothing's going to get in the way of me watching the Braves!"

"You'll be home in plenty of time to do that," Michael assured him.

Keith laughed. "Well, like I've told you before, even if there wasn't a game, I can't imagine wanting to go to church," he said. "You sure have stupid ideas once in while-every Sunday, in fact."

"Church isn't stupid. It's great!" argued Michael.

"Church is dumb!" insisted Keith.

"Isn't!"

"Is!"

"Isn't!"

"Forget it, Michael," growled Keith. "I'm not going."

Michael walked away feeling bad. I wish Keith would come, but I shouldn't have argued with him about it, he thought. He remembered the Bible story of Philip and Nathaniel. When Philip told Nathaniel about Jesus of Nazareth, Nathaniel said, "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Philip didn't get angry. He simply said, "Come and see."

Going to church isn't the important thing anyway, thought Michael. Knowing Jesus is. Maybe if I'm just friends with Keith, he'll come to see that knowing Jesus is a good thing. "Keith, wait up!" called Michael, running after his friend. "Look, I'm sorry I argued with you about coming to church. I really do think you'd like my Sunday school class-I'd like you to come sometime and see for yourself how interesting it is-but next Sunday, how about coming to my house after I get home from church? We can watch the game together."

"Even if I don't go with you to church?" asked Keith in surprise.

"Sure," said Michael. "What kind of snacks should I ask
Mom to get?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you invited friends to church? Have you told them about Jesus? If some laugh and say you're foolish to believe as you do, don't argue. Be friendly and accept them as Jesus does. After a while, your friends may be curious and willing to "come and see" what church is all about. Best of all, they may come to know Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 34:
O taste and see that the Lord is good.

[Soldier4Christ]

Look at this! exclaimed Matt as he pointed to an article in the newspaper.
"The city is going to start strictly enforcing an ordinance that says dogs have
to be confined to their owner's property. Tag won't like being fenced in."
 

"No, he won't," agreed Mom. She laughed as she added, "But that old rabbit in Mr. Page's garden is sure going to be relieved. Tag has been giving him fits lately."

"I'll take the paper out and read the law to him," joked Matt. "I'll give him a stern lecture about the big, bad dog catcher, too."

Mom laughed. "You do that," she said.

Matt was right-Tag didn't like being fenced in, and time after time he dug out of the yard. When they tried putting him on a chain, he howled endlessly.

"That Tag!" exclaimed Matt one day when Tag was missing again. "I'll go find him."

Matt went out to search for his dog, but Tag was not to be found. A neighbor came out and told Matt that she had seen the dog catcher picking up Tag. Matt was in tears as he told his mother about it. "We can g-g-get him back, can't we?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," Mom assured him. She frowned. "But you know he'll just get out again," she said. "I really don't know what we're going to do about him."

On his way home from work, Dad stopped to pick up Tag. "Uncle Bob said if we ever needed a home for Tag, he'd be glad to keep him on the farm," said Dad. "There he can run free. We'll miss him, but we can visit him."

 "Okay," agreed Matt. "That will be better than not seeing him at all." He sighed. "If only Tag could understand that the yard is a place of safety and protection for him!" he said. "Then he'd know why we fence him in or tie him up." He frowned. "Dumb dog," he added, but he said it fondly as he patted Tag's head.

Dad smiled. "You know, Matt, we're a little like Tag,"
he said. "We sometimes feel fenced in, too-fenced in by rules we don't like. But
God has given us parents, teachers, policemen . . . and yes, even rules . . . to
provide safety and protection for us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you willingly obey the leaders God has put into your life-and the rules you must follow? You never outgrow the "do's" and "don'ts" of living. All of your life, there will be those who have authority over you. God says to obey them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 13:17)
Obey them that have the rule over you.

[Soldier4Christ]

It was just past midnight when Mr. Benson woke his four children-John,
Esther, Paul, and Ruth. As he helped them get dressed, he explained, as
carefully and gently as he could, that they were going to the hospital to see
their mother. For some time they had known that the doctors did not expect her
to get well again. Now she was asking to see them, and they knew she didn't have
much time left. Through their tears, they promised to be brave.
 

When they arrived at her bedside, Mom greeted each one lovingly. "Don't cry for me," she said. "I'm going to be with Jesus. I wanted to see you here once more." Then, one by one, she called them to her-first Ruth, the youngest, then Paul, and next Esther. "I love you," she told them, and she recalled the time each had accepted Jesus. Then to each she said, "Goodnight, honey. I'll see you in heaven."

Finally Mom called John, her oldest child, to her. She held his hand as they remembered some precious times from the past. After assuring him of her love, she said, "Good-bye, honey."

"Good-bye?" echoed John. "Mom, why do you say good-bye to me? You said goodnight to the others."

"The other children have taken Jesus as their Savior, and one day they will meet me in heaven," Mom told him. "But you are not saved, John, and though it breaks my heart, I must say good-bye to you. Unless you receive Jesus as your Savior, your name will not be in the Lamb's book of life, and I'll never see you again."

"D-don't say good-bye, Mom," cried John. "I . . . I know I've done a lot of bad things and need to be saved. I've been thinking about it a lot." John paused. Then he added, "Before you go, can you pray with me? I . . . I want Jesus to be my Savior, too."

There, beside his mother's bed, John bowed his head and
told Jesus he was a sinner and wanted to be saved. A happy mother prayed that
night, "Thank You, Jesus, for giving me my family to keep for all
eternity."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a mother, a father, or perhaps a grandparent or friend who has gone to be with Jesus? Will you see that person again? You will if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. Have you done that? If not, trust in Him now!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Amos 4:12)
Prepare to meet thy God.