Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's gone!" exclaimed Becki one morning as she and her older sister walked to the school where they attended day camp. "They just put it up, and now it's gone!" Becki was talking about a huge telescope that had recently been installed on a mountain near their town. The girls usually saw it clearly as they walked down their street.

Jenna laughed. "In this fog, lots of things are 'gone,'" she said. "I imagine we'll be able to see it by the time we walk back home."

Jenna was right. As they walked home, the telescope was again visible, but by then Becki had something else on her mind. "I don't want to go to camp tomorrow," she confided to Jenna. "There's a girl who doesn't like me, and I'm scared of her. She's mean!"

"Maybe I can stay with you most of the time tomorrow," Jenna suggested.

"Yes, but we're taking different craft classes-and you're in a different age group," Becki replied nervously. "You can't stay with me all day." 

Jenna thought for a minute. "No, I can't-but you know someone who can," she said.

"I do?" asked Becki. "Who?"

"Think about our Bible lesson last week. Mrs. Hunt talked about how Jesus is always with us," Jenna reminded her sister. "He . . ." 

Becki interrupted her. "I know that, but I can't see Jesus," she said doubtfully.

Jenna was quiet for a minute. Then she pointed toward the big telescope on the mountain. "We couldn't see that telescope this morning, but it was there," she said. "Even though we can't see Jesus, He's there, too. He promised."

Becki sighed. "Okay. You stay with me till we have to split up for craft classes," she said, "and then I'll remember that Jesus is with me the rest of the time-even though I can't see Him." Becki grinned. "I guess He can take better care of me than you can, anyway."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever wish you could see Jesus? Even though you can't see Him, He's right there with you. You can know that because the Bible says so. Jesus promised to always be with those who trust in Him, and He keeps His promises.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 28:20)
<p>(Jesus said) "I am with you alway, even to the end of the world."

[Soldier4Christ]

Grandpa Wells was sitting on his porch when he saw Lori, a neighbor girl, coming down the sidewalk. "Hey there, Lori," he called out. When she got closer, he could see that she looked as if she had been crying. Lori hesitated, then walked up the porch steps. "Problems?" asked Grandpa Wells sympathetically.

"My friends are all mad at me," Lori told him sadly.

"That's too bad," sympathized Grandpa Wells. "Want to tell me about it?"

"I . . . I'm just so miserable," Lori replied, and the story spilled out. "Some of my school friends told some of the kids at church that I smoke."

"And do you?" asked Grandpa Wells.

"I . . . I . . . well, I tried it when I was with some kids from school," admitted Lori. She paused to wipe her eyes. "But I am a Christian, and I haven't smoked very often," she defended herself. "It's just that . . . well, I hate to be odd. But now the kids all say I'm two faced, and no one likes me anymore. Do you think that's fair?"

Grandpa Wells sighed. "Lori," he said, "you remind me of a chameleon-a kind of lizard that changes colors. When it's against the bark of a tree, it turns brown. When it's against a leaf, it turns green. Now, God intended for chameleons to be that way-it's for protection from their enemies-but God did not intend for Christians to be like that. God intended us to show true Christian colors all the time."

Lori sniffed. "But it's hard to be so different from the other kids," she said.

"It would be easier for you if you ran around with Christian kids at school as well as at church," said Grandpa Wells, "but even if you're with unsaved kids, there's no excuse for not acting like a Christian. You should do and say the things that please God-no matter who you're with."

"Oh, Grandpa, I'm really sorry. I'm never going to smoke another cigarette," declared Lori. 

Grandpa Wells nodded. "I hope not," he said. "Don't try to please both God and the world. It doesn't work!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you like a chameleon-trying to be like whoever you're around? There's no way to please the Lord and the world at the same time. The Bible says that believers should maintain good works. Stand out as a Christian.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:4)
<p>"Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

[Soldier4Christ]

Amy was sitting at her desk doing math homework when her little sister walked in. "I want to write numbers, too," said Lisa, who was only four years old. She wanted to be like her big sister.

Amy smiled and carefully wrote the numbers from one to ten on a sheet of notebook paper. Then she took Lisa's hand and helped her begin to write. "One . . .    two . . ."

Lisa pulled her hand away. "I can do it," she said.

"Okay," said Amy, and she went back to her homework. She had just finished her last problem when Lisa began to cry. "What's wrong?" asked Amy. Lisa shoved her paper away. Her numbers were jumbled on the paper, many of them unrecognizable. "Let me help you," suggested Amy, bending down to take Lisa's hand again.

"No!" Lisa pulled away and grabbed the paper. "I want to do it myself," she insisted.

"Okay," said Amy, "but I'm finished with my work, and I'm going to get a drink. I'll be back in a little while."

When Amy left the room, she saw that her mother was sorting clothes in the family room. "I tried to help Lisa write her numbers, Mom, but she won't let me," said Amy. "She'd rather cry because she can't do it than let me help her." 

Mom smiled. "I guess we all need to learn to accept help," she said, handing Amy some towels to fold. After working silently a few moments, Mom added thoughtfully, "Sometimes we're a lot like Lisa. Her numbers didn't turn out right when she didn't let you guide her, and our decisions often don't turn out right when we don't ask God for help and let Him guide us."

 "How does He do that?" asked Amy.

"Through His Word and through people He brings into our lives-and through the prompting of His Spirit in our hearts and minds," replied Mom.

Amy nodded as she finished folding the towels. "Yeah-I'll try to remember that," she said, "and I guess I'll go see if Lisa has changed her mind and wants help now."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ask God for help? Do you read His Word to learn what He expects of you? Do you listen to godly wisdom of parents and teachers? Do you obey when you know God wants you to act in a certain way? You'll be a happier person when you follow His leading.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 4:11)
<p>"I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths."

[Soldier4Christ]

I'm so dumb, Joe said as he put on his coat. "For the Bible club talent show tonight, some of the guys are singing or drawing or playing their instruments, but I can't do any of those things. All I know how to do is yo yo tricks. Do you think that's okay?"

"Sure. I don't know anyone who can do yo yo tricks as well as you can," said his mother encouragingly.

"Maybe not, but last week our leader made a big deal about using our talents for the Lord," said Joe. "How can you use a yo yo for the Lord?"

Mom smiled. "There must be some way, Joe," she replied. "Let's think about it-but right now we'd better get going. It's ten minutes to seven."

The talent night went well. Joe did his yo yo tricks, and all the boys clapped loudly.

After the meeting, Joe was waiting in the lobby for his mother when Pastor Schaeffer walked up with a lady and her small son. "Joe," said Pastor Schaeffer, "would you mind watching Steven for a few minutes while I talk to his mother?"

Joe looked at the little boy. He didn't know much about taking care of preschoolers, but then he remembered his yo yo. So for several minutes, Joe entertained Steven with his tricks.

"Thank you so much," said Steven's mother as she came out of the pastor's study. "I don't remember the last time he was so quiet for so long."

After the others had left, Pastor Schaeffer said, "I thank you, too. That lady just accepted the Lord. You were part of that decision, Joe, because you were watching Steven."

Joe smiled. "Thank You, Lord," he prayed silently. "Thank You for letting me use my talent for You."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use your talents for the Lord? Maybe you can bake cookies for shut ins, read or recite Scripture at a church program, be the treasurer for your church kids' group. Whatever your talent may be, if you're willing for the Lord to use you, He will.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:17)
<p>"Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."

[Soldier4Christ]

I wish I had a hundred dollars to put in the missionary offering tomorrow! exclaimed Emma. "The Durands are so eager to leave for the mission field."

"If you'll clean the basement for me this afternoon, I'll pay you-not a hundred dollars, but a little," said Mom. "Have you prayed about the money you'd like to give?"

"Prayed for a hundred dollars?" asked Emma. "No."

Mom smiled. "You should," she said. "God is able."

Emma was cleaning the basement when her friend, Patsy, came over. "I can play as soon as I finish cleaning this old cupboard," Emma told Patsy. She sat down and looked at the cupboard. "I wish it were done," she added.

"Well, I'll help you," offered Patsy. "Come on-let's get at it. That'll do more good than wishing."

"I know." Emma nodded and stood up. "I'm always wishing for things, and Mom always tells me that wishing doesn't help. Praying and working does. So guess what I'm praying for now? A hundred dollars for the missionary offering!" She got down on hands and knees to pull out something that was stuck in a corner of the cabinet. "Look," she said, holding up an old penny. "This must be the start of the answer to my prayers." The girls laughed together.

The next morning, the only offering Emma had was her penny and the few dollars Mom had paid her. "Well, you're giving all you can," Mom told her. "The Lord doesn't expect more."

That afternoon Patsy came over. "My dad helped count the offering this morning," she told Emma excitedly, "and he noticed an old penny. He collects coins, and he says it's valuable-he said it might be worth as much as a hundred dollars. He says the person who gave it should be told and be given a chance to take it back. I knew it was you-do you want it back?" She stopped to catch her breath.

Emma stared at her in delight. "Of course I don't want it back! I'm giving it to the missionary offering, whatever it's worth. I prayed and worked for money to give, not to keep!" She smiled happily. "I'm so glad!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there things that you wish were different? Have you done what you can about them? Have you prayed? When you stop wishing and start praying and working, things happen. God works wonders when His people pray and work.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 5:16)
<p>"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

[Soldier4Christ]

For part of our devotions today, Mom is going to read a story from our Sunday school paper, said Dad.

Mom nodded. "This is the winning story for the amateur writing contest," she said. "Here's what it says." Mom began reading. "There was excitement in the courtroom as one witness after another told of his relationship with the defendant. All agreed that he was fun to be with. He amused and entertained them, he told them of his travels, and he passed along a wide range of knowledge. But after he had established himself in their houses, many parents noticed that he often used very bad language, that he told dirty stories, that he often displayed anger and violence, and that he taught their children evil ways.

"'Because of a story he told, I ran away from home,' testified fifteen year old Sally.

"'He taught me that it's smart to drink,' added Julian.

"Another boy was crying as he said, 'He told me and my friend Josh that he had a foolproof plan for robbing a store. We tried it, but the store owner had a gun. Josh was killed.'

"'He told me that whatever I want to do is okay, and that others should accept me as I am,' stated a girl.

"So it went. Finally the defendant himself was called to the stand and asked to state his name. 'I am Mr. T. Vee,' he said. 'I was only exercising my rights to freedom of speech. Besides, I was invited into each home by parents and children alike. They could have asked me to leave, but they never did.'

"When all testimony had been heard, the judge spoke. 'Although I believe Mr. T. Vee is guilty of the charges brought against him, I cannot convict him,' stated Judge Smith. 'He was an invited guest in each home, and the law does allow free exchange of ideas. It was the responsibility of those in the home to ask him to go. Since they did not, they are as guilty as he! Case dismissed!'" 

Dad looked at the family. "I hope this helps you understand why Mom and I don't allow you to watch certain programs," he said, "but let's all share the responsibility of turning off the TV when bad programs come on."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you listen to God's name being used lightly on TV? Do you listen to the dirty jokes? The immoral stories? The violence? These things influence you. Turn off the TV when this kind of programming is on.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:11)
<p>"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

[Soldier4Christ]

Ricky squirmed as the needle went into his arm. "Ow! That hurts!" he exclaimed. "Wish I didn't have to get these dumb shots!"

"Oh, but they're very important," said the nurse as she wiped the spot with alcohol. "If you didn't get them, you might get a serious illness that could cripple you or even cost you your life. An immunization will protect you for years to come."

"They must use really strong medicine in those shots for them to last so long," observed Ricky.

The nurse smiled. "There's really no medicine at all in these shots," she said. "What we're putting into your body is a form of the germ that causes the disease."

Ricky gasped. "But that'll make me get sick!" he protested.

"No," said the nurse. "The germs in the vaccine are weak ones that your body easily fights off. In doing so, it produces special weapons called antibodies. These continue to float through your bloodstream, fighting off new germs that try to get into your body. It's really a very good defense system."

At dinner that evening, Dad told the family about a conversation he had had with his boss. "Mr. Harper is a fine man," said Dad, "and he's very religious. He goes to church faithfully and listens to Christian music. He even occasionally mentions God's name in a respectful way. The problem is that he believes he's all right just because he does all those things. It's almost as if his religion dulls his senses to his need to be saved."

Ricky's eyes lit up. "I got a shot today," he said, and he repeated what the nurse had told him about how shots work. "I think Mr. Harper got 'immunized' in the wrong way," finished Ricky.

Dad nodded. "A weak, halfhearted form of religion often seems to 'immunize' people against the real thing," he said.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think that doing religious things makes you right with God? Wrong! You must come to Christ in repentance and allow His blood to wash away your sins. Simply being "religious" will never save you. Only Christ can do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 2:
9  <p>"By grace are ye saved, through faith . . . not of works."

[Soldier4Christ]

When I agreed to come to camp with Jan this week, I didn't realize I'd have to attend so many chapel services, thought Kathy. And besides that, we're going to have devotions in our cabin every night! This is going to be boring! 

But Kathy was wrong. She found the devotional lessons and Bible stories interesting, and when Pastor Dave, the chapel speaker, talked about sin-the wrong things people do-she felt like he was talking about her. How does he know I do all that stuff? she wondered. When he explained that no sin can enter heaven and that Jesus took the punishment for sin, she listened intently. On Wednesday night, she accepted Jesus as her Savior.

On the last evening at camp, Pastor Dave spoke to the group around the campfire. "I've had a great week getting to know you kids," he told the campers. "I hate to see it come to an end. In fact, I don't know if I can adjust to going home. I might get kinda lonely sleeping without frogs and cracker crumbs . . . oh, yes-and water balloons." There was a great deal of laughter as the campers remembered some of the jokes they had played that week.

When the group was quiet again, Pastor Dave continued. "Many of you have made decisions this week-either to accept Jesus as Savior or to serve Him any way you can. When you get home, you may find it hard to live up to those decisions."

Kathy nodded. I wish I could stop time and make Bible camp last forever! she thought. It will be so different at home. I'm not so sure I can even live like a Christian there.

"Don't forget that real decisions are more than just words," continued Pastor Dave. "Real decisions involve actions, too. Remember that Jesus is living within you. He'll give you the strength you need to live for Him at home as well as at camp. With His help, you can be an example to your family and friends as you pray for them and witness to them. May God bless each one of you. Now let's pray and then stand for a closing song."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you made a decision to serve God, but now you wonder if you can carry it out? Decisions must be more than words-they must involve actions. Ask God to help you live for Him-to witness, help others, and use your talents for Him. Let Him be seen in your


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 2:20)
<p>"The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God."

[Soldier4Christ]

Kathy got home from camp just as her family was sitting down to eat. She promptly told them that the best thing about camp was that she had become a Christian. "A Christian!" exclaimed her sister Kim. "I thought we were already Christians! We're not heathens, are we, Dad?"

"Of course not," Dad answered in an offended tone.

Kathy started to reply, but then she noticed that the others were beginning to eat. "Oh! Don't eat!" she ordered. "We have to pray first-to thank God for the food!"

"If you want to be religious, Kathy, that's fine," Dad told her, "but start thanking me for bringing home a paycheck, and thank your mom for fixing meals. Then we'll talk about praying. Now let's eat." 

That evening, someone mentioned that the next Sunday was the day for their family reunion. "I can't go!" exclaimed Kathy. "I'm going to Sunday school with Jan. I don't want to skip for a stupid family reunion!"

"If your religion means insulting your family and calling them stupid, we want none of it!" growled Dad.

Kathy was disappointed, and she knew she had offended her family. She talked to Jan about it, and Jan suggested that they go and see her Sunday school teacher. "It's great that you're witnessing," said Mrs. West when the girls explained the problem, "but witnessing is more than talking. You must also be a living witness. Don't try to change others, but let your actions and attitude show that Jesus has changed you." 

In the following weeks, Kathy found many opportunities to be a living witness. She helped around the house, mowed the lawn without being told, and even managed to avoid quarrels-often giving in.

One night, Kathy gave up playing volleyball with the church youth group so that she could help Kim with a school project that was due the next day. As they finished, Kim turned to her. "I guess I'll go to church with you this week," she said. "I have to see what your religion is all about. It sure has changed you."

Kathy smiled, and she saw Dad smile, too. She silently thanked God that attitudes were changing.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you heard that "actions speak louder than words"? Attitudes also speak louder than words. Is your attitude cheerful and humble? Are you willing to put others ahead of yourself? Ask God to help you make any needed changes so you may be a living witnes


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 4:5)
<p>"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without."

[Soldier4Christ]

Brandon jumped off the bottom rung of the ladder and stared in amazement at the scene before him. He whistled. "Wow! This is some cave!"

His parents, who had followed him down the ladder, nodded as the guide began to speak. "Hundreds of Native Americans, called Cliff Dwellers, lived here year round," said the guide. "In here, they were safe from wild animals and from their enemies. In the summer, it was cooler in the caves than out in the open-and in the winter, it was warmer. The rocks protected them from the sun, wind, sleet, and snow."

Brandon and the rest of the group followed the guide around the ancient ruins, listening to his description of how the people lived there many years before. 

"This is cool," Brandon said. "It's like an apartment complex carved out of rock. I'd like to live here."

"Not me!" exclaimed Mom. She laughed. "Imagine climbing up that ladder every time I wanted to go to the grocery store or to the mall."

Several hours later, the family was on the road, looking for a motel. "This is one of the best vacations we've ever had," said Brandon. "Let's find a motel with a pool-a swim sounds good." He became thoughtful. "I wish Marcy was with us. She always liked to swim." He scowled. "It was stupid of her to get involved in drugs. She said she was tired of all the rules in our family and in the church. She said she just wanted to do her own thing."

Mom sighed heavily. "Yes, and she did. Now she's paying for it."

Dad's eyes met Brandon's in the rearview mirror. "Marcy thought our family and the church were like a prison," he said. "Actually, they're more like the caves we saw today-they provide shelter and protection." 

"Jesus is our Rock, isn't He?" asked Brandon. "And our church and family are like the caves?" He grinned as an idea struck him. "So we're cliff dwellers, too-spiritual cliff dwellers," he decided. He liked that thought.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that the rules in your family protect you from harm? Do you appreciate the shelter that the church and your home give you? Today would be a good time to thank God and your parents for all the help and protection they provide for you. Thank


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 18:2)
<p>"The Lord is my rock . . . in whom I will trust."

[Soldier4Christ]

Matt was hard at work when his friend Roman walked up. "Hey," said Roman as Matt pulled out the roots of a huge dandelion. "Let's go swimming."

Matt looked up from his job. "Can't," he said. "My mom says she's sick of seeing yellow dandelions instead of green grass. I think they're kinda pretty, but she says I have to get rid of them. She showed me how to work around the plant with this tool and pull out the whole root, but they sure go deep." He wiped his brow with a dirty hand. "It's awful hot, too."

"Yeah." Roman nodded. "Much too hot to do them that way. Why not just cut the tops off? Here-I'll help you. You hold the leaves, and I'll hit 'em with the point of the hoe. We'll be done sooner, and then we can go swimming."

"Okay," agreed Matt, so the boys got busy. Soon they finished the job and were off to the creek to swim.

Several times in the next few weeks, Matt had to "pull" dandelions again. Each time, he used the hoe and simply cut off the tops. One day Mom stood at the window and watched him work. She went out to talk to him. "I didn't understand why we couldn't get rid of those weeds," she said, "but now I see the problem. You aren't pulling them the way I showed you."

"Oh," said Matt, looking at the leaves in his hand. "I didn't think it mattered, as long as you couldn't see them."

"But it does matter. As long as the roots are still in the ground, the dandelions grow right back. You have to get rid of the whole thing-roots and all," explained Mom, and she helped him finish the job.

That evening, Dad heard about the returning dandelions. "That's a good example of the way we sometimes treat sin in our lives," he said thoughtfully. "We tend to think that if it isn't seen by other people, it doesn't matter, and so we try to cover it up by doing good things. But that won't work. Unless the sin is rooted out-removed-it soon shows up again."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you do some of the same old, sinful things over and over? Maybe you haven't rooted them out-haven't been truly sorry and sincerely asked God to help you stop doing them. With His help, you can get rid of sin. Through Christ, you can live God's way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 6:6)
<p>"Our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed."

[Soldier4Christ]

Two year old Isabel toddled into the living room, and sat on the floor next to Muffie, the dog. Isabel reached out a chubby hand and pulled Muffie's fluffy brown tail. Muffie did not bite or even growl. She just moved away as quickly as she could and lay down by the fireplace. Isabel followed. She tugged on the animal's ear. "Nice doggie," cooed Isabel. Muffie still did not growl or bite. Instead, she licked the back of Isabel's hand with her big, rough tongue.

"Careful, Isabel," said Mom. She walked over, gently loosened the little girl's hand, and helped her stroke the dog's head. "Be nice to Muffie."

"Why does Muffie put up with all that torture?" asked Angela, who was sitting on the sofa, reading. "No matter how many times Isabel mistreats her, Muffie puts up with it and doesn't even growl at her."

"Muffie loves Isabel, just like she loves the rest of our family," Mom answered. "Isabel is still too young to realize that she's hurting the dog, and we all need to help teach her not to mistreat Muffie or any other animal."

Angela nodded. "Muffie is a good dog," she said.

"Yes, she is," agreed Mom. "We're fortunate to have a faithful dog who is so loving and patient with Isabel." She smiled as Isabel put her head down on Muffie's back. "Muffie is a good example of how we all should treat others-even those who don't treat us well," observed Mom. "Even when others are mean or unkind, we need to do as the Bible teaches-show them love. That may not always be easy, but if we have God's love within us, we can show His love to everyone-even our enemies."

"Love like Muffie's?" asked Angela.

"Something like that-but much greater love than that," said Mom. "Only God can give us humans the kind of love we need to treat others the way He wants us to treat them-which is the way we like to be treated ourselves."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you treat others the way you would like to be treated? Are you kind to them-even to those who are unkind to you? The verse for today is called the "Golden Rule." Follow it-it's one of God's commands.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 6:31)
<p> "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

[Soldier4Christ]

Please call Crystal and then sit down for breakfast, Kevin, said Mom.

"Sure," agreed Kevin with a grin. "What shall I call her? Lazybones? Or Sleepyhead?" He went to the stairway. "Crystal!" he yelled. "Fire! Get up! There's a fire . . ." He paused. "Under the bacon," he added softly. He laughed as his sister came pounding down the stairs.

"What? Where? Oh, you're not funny, Kevin," scolded Crystal when she saw that he was joking. "You scared me!"

Dad looked up from his newspaper. "Talk about being scared," he said, "listen to this. 'Doomsday Prophet Warns End of World Coming Next Tuesday.' This article will scare a lot of people."

"That's silly," scoffed Kevin. "People have been saying that as long as I can remember."

Crystal was wide eyed. "Is the world really going to end next Tuesday, Daddy?" she asked.

Dad smiled at Crystal. "No, the world won't end Tuesday, but the Lord Jesus might come before then," he said.

"My history teacher says his grandmother was scared to go to sleep when she was little. She was afraid because she thought the Lord was coming any minute," Kevin told them. "He says people have been saying that for hundreds of years, and he's not so sure Jesus ever will come."

"Kevin," said Mom, "the very fact that people are doubting that Jesus will come again is a sign of His soon return. The Apostle Peter wrote that in the last days scoffers would be questioning Jesus' promise because the world continues as it always has. Then he points out that God doesn't count time the way we do, and that He surely will keep His promise."

"One thing is certain," added Dad, "no man knows the day or hour when Jesus will come. It could be sooner than Tuesday. Then again, it could be next year or years later. Only God knows. We need to be ready for Him anytime."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes think Jesus isn't going to return? He's patiently waiting, giving people more opportunity to be saved. When the time is right-according to God's timetable-Jesus will come again.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Terry's shoulders slumped as he trudged home. When he reached his driveway, he saw his dad working on the car. Dad glanced up. "You look unhappy about something," he said.

"I am." Terry nodded. "You know that new bike they were giving away at Horne's Department Store? Well, somebody else won it. I can't believe it. I prayed so hard, Dad! I really did! My bike is so old-I need that new one. Why did God let somebody else win it?"

Dad looked thoughtful as he wiped his hands on a rag. Before he could reply, Terry's little brother Ricky came bounding out of the house. "I saw a tiger on TV, and he did lots of tricks! Can I have a tiger, Daddy?" asked Ricky eagerly. "I could teach my tiger to do tricks, too."

Terry rolled his eyes. "You can't have a tiger, silly," he said. "A tiger is a wild animal. He'd eat you."

"He would not!" shouted Ricky. "I'm going to get one, and I'll ride on his back and teach him lots of tricks. You'll see!"

"You can't have a tiger," Terry repeated.

"Yes, I can!" insisted Ricky.

Dad held up his hand for quiet. "Why don't you go play in the back yard, Ricky," he said, "and just pretend you have a tiger." Still scowling at his brother, Ricky left, and Dad turned to Terry. "You're older than Ricky, and you understand things better. You know lots of reasons why he shouldn't have a tiger for a pet, right?"

"Right," agreed Terry. "He's silly."

"But Ricky doesn't understand that. He just knows he wants a tiger," said Dad. "Maybe that's a little like God and you and the bike. You know you want that bike, but maybe God knows it isn't best for you to get it right now. You don't understand the reason, but that doesn't mean God doesn't have one."

Terry sighed. "So I should trust God because He knows what's best, just like Ricky should trust you?" he asked. Then he grinned. "And I suppose I have to ride my old bike and pretend it's a new one, huh?"

Dad smiled and nodded. "I guess so," he said.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you willingly accept God's answer to your prayers, even when it's not the answer you would like? Always trust Him. He knows what He's doing-even when He tells you "no."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:
<p>"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him."

[Soldier4Christ]

Brian didn't see the warning signs, and he rode his bike right into some recently poured cement. He quickly took off a shoe and frantically used it to try make the cement smooth again. He did his best, but he only succeeded in making it worse by getting pebbles and grass mixed into the cement-which was already starting to harden. Maybe I can do a better job if I use some of Dad's tools, he decided, so he picked up his bike and headed home.

Back home, he told his mother what had happened. She shook her head. "You should have found the person who lives there and told him right away," she said. "You'd better hurry right back. Maybe there will still be time for him to fix his cement."

 Brian hurried, but by the time he got back to the cement, it had hardened just the way he had left it-a mess. A man was coming from the house as Brian rode up. "I . . . I'm sorry, Sir. I wasn't paying attention, and I . . . I messed up your cement," Brian stammered. "I didn't mean to. And I did try to patch it. Honest I did."

"I can see that," the man replied. "I'm Mr. Olson, and I live here. Why didn't you come right away and tell me what happened?"

Brian stared at his feet. "I . . . I wanted to fix it like new, but it just got worse. Now the cement is set. I waited too long, and it got hard."

"That's right," agreed Mr. Olson. "And do you know, young man, that people's hearts are something like the cement?"

Brian was startled. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"Some people put off being saved until, like cement, they get set in their worldly ways," explained Mr. Olson. "They wait too long, and often their hearts become hardened against God's love and forgiveness."

Brian nodded. "I know a Bible verse that says, 'Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart.' I learned it in Sunday school," he said. "I don't think I'll ever forget it now."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you put off accepting Jesus? That's a dangerous thing to do. Don't wait any longer-accept Him now, while you're young.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 3:15)
<p>"Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart."