Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Kevin skidded around the corner in the boys' locker room. He stopped in his tracks when Clay, one of his classmates, looked up and scowled. Quickly, Kevin retreated to his own locker. Clay slammed his locker shut and then banged Kevin's locker as he passed by on his way out.

Kevin sat on the bench a long time. Clay doesn't have to be such a poor sport just because his team lost to mine in gym class, he thought, but he's been nasty for a while anyway. I don't know what's buggin' him.

When Kevin started walking home, a car pulled up beside him. "Need a ride?" called a voice. It was Mr. Williams, his Sunday school teacher. Kevin smiled and got in. Before he knew it, he was telling Mr. Williams about the way Clay had been treating him. "I wish I could get even with him," said Kevin in disgust.

Mr. Williams was quiet for a moment. "Have you thought about heaping hot coals on his head?" he asked.

"Are you kidding me, Mr. Williams?" asked Kevin suspiciously. "That sounds mean. What's the catch? And how could I do that anyway?"

Mr. Williams grinned. "In Bible times, people needed fires to cook their food and to keep warm," he said. "There were no matches back then, so if their fires went out, the easiest way to restart them was to get hot coals FROM someone else. Historians tell us that people would sometimes place a container on their heads and walk past everyone's windows. Caring, generous people would carefully lift a few hot coals FROM their own fires and place them in the container."

Kevin frowned. "So by heaping hot coals on their heads, they were being nice to them," he said. "Well, I don't really feel like being nice to Clay. He's mean."

Mr. Williams pulled up to Kevin's house. "I know how you feel," he said, "but Jesus says we should 'heap coals of fire' on the heads of our enemies. He's telling us to be kind to them-even if they are mean."

Kevin got out of the car. "Yeah. Well . . . okay," he
said with a sigh. "I guess you're right."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel like being kind when someone mistreats you? Probably not, but God's Word commands you to be kind anyway. A good attitude or a smile will help. People won't upset you so much when you find ways to be kind to them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:21)
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, I don't think I want to be best friends with Mallory anymore!" Kristin announced as she came in from school. "In fact, I don't know if I want to be friends with her at all."

Mom looked up from the salad she was preparing for supper. "Really?" she asked. "When did you decide that, Kristin?"

"Today. You just won't believe how she acted!" Kristin helped herself to an apple from the fruit bowl and plopped down on a chair. "She hardly talked to me all day," added Kristin. "During the first recess, she played ball with some other kids. Then when we had free time in class, she worked on a special project all by herself. During lunch, she talked to the new girl in class the whole time. On the way home on the bus, she read her book and wouldn't talk at all."

"Sounds like a rough day," observed Mom, "but I hope you won't let one day ruin your friendship."

At family devotions that evening, Kristin had a request. "Can I be excused from our prayer time tonight?" she asked as she stood up. "I'm really tired, and I just don't feel like praying right now. Besides, I have a test tomorrow, so I need to get my sleep."

"Hmmm," murmured Mom. "Remember what you told me about Mallory today?"

Kristin nodded. "Yeah," she said. "Do you think I should stop being friends with her?"

"What I think," said Mom, "is that if you skip prayer time, you'll be acting pretty much like Mallory did. You were unhappy because Mallory didn't seem to want to talk to you, right?"

"Well, yeah-but what does that have to do with praying?" asked Kristin.

"Since you trusted in Jesus, He's your very best friend, and He likes to have you talk to Him each day, too," explained Mom. "Prayer is one way you do that. Don't you think He must feel disappointed when you don't want to pray-pretty much like you felt about Mallory?"

Slowly, Kristin nodded, and she sat down again.






HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a good friend you like to talk to? If you've asked Jesus to be your Savior, He should be your best friend. Do you talk to Him in prayer every day? He wants you to do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 55:17)
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray . . . and He shall hear my voice."

[Soldier4Christ]

Jonathan was tired when he got home from the Children's Orthopedic Center where he was taking treatments for cerebral palsy-or C.P., as it's called. The disease affected his muscles and caused difficulty in walking and speaking. He sighed as he sat down in his favorite chair. "I don't see why I have to have this dumb disease," he muttered.

Mom gave him a hug. "I don't know why, either," she said, "but I do know that God allows only what's good for us. But come on-supper is ready. Let's eat."

"Good meal," Dad told Mom as they ate. He turned to Jonathan. "You're not eating your vegetables, Son. You know they're good for you."

Jonathan made a face. "I don't like them," he said.

"You must eat what's on your plate," said Mom, "but you don't have to take any more."

"How did your therapy go today?" asked Dad.

"Okay, I guess," said Jonathan, "but those treatments hurt! When they stretch my legs and arms, they pull awfully hard. I can't see why I have to go so often. I'm not sure they're helping anyway."

"We don't see the results right away, but those exercises do help you," said Dad. "If you want those muscles of yours to grow stronger and healthier, you'll have to cooperate with the therapist each time you go."

Jonathan sighed. "I suppose," he said, "but why doesn't God just heal me when I ask Him to? Then I wouldn't have to worry about those old exercises."

Mom smiled sympathetically. "Vegetables are good for you even if you don't like them," she said. "Exercises are also good for you even though they hurt. And for some reason we can't understand, cerebral palsy must be good for you. We think it would be good for you to be healed, but so far, God has said no."

"Perhaps He has a special purpose for allowing C.P. in your life," added Dad. "Can you trust Him?"

Slowly, Jonathan nodded. "I'll try," he
said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a special problem? Perhaps it's a disease. Maybe it's difficulty with schoolwork. Perhaps it's a fear that something bad will happen. If you're a Christian, trust God to do what is best for you. He gives what is good.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 84:11)
"No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

[Soldier4Christ]

After family devotions, Jonathan sat down to read a book. Soon he was deep in the adventures of The Black Stallion. As he started a new chapter, he remembered that his physical therapist had given him a list of exercises he was supposed to do at home. Oh no! he thought, and he glanced at his mom and dad. I guess Mom and Dad forgot about my exercises, too. Maybe I can get away with skipping them today. At least I can try.

Jonathan settled down to read again, but somehow he couldn't get interested in his book anymore. He seemed to hear the voice of his therapist repeating over and over, Be sure to do your home exercises regularly. They're good for you-they'll help strengthen your muscles. Jonathan gave a big sigh as he put down his book.

Mom glanced up in surprise. "What's the matter?" she asked.

"My therapist says I have to do exercises at home," replied Jonathan. "Since you didn't remind me, I was going to skip them, but she says I have to do them, so I suppose I better. I know they're good for me."

Mom nodded. "Get the list," she said. "I'll go over them with you."

   When Jonathan finished his exercises, Dad squeezed his shoulder. "I'm glad you decided to obey God and do your exercises," said Dad.

"Obey God?" asked Jonathan in surprise. "God didn't tell me to do exercises. My therapist did."

Dad smiled. "Remember the verses we read for devotions tonight?" he asked. "God says we're to 'submit to,'-or obey-those in authority. That doesn't mean obeying only your mother and me. It means obeying your pastor and teachers and everyone God has placed over you. That includes your therapist, so in obeying her, you were obeying God."

Jonathan grinned. "Cool," he said. "I like that."






HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you obey your mom and dad? Your teachers? All those in authority over you? When you don't like what they tell you to do, and you don't feel like obeying, remember that by obeying them, you are also obeying God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 13:1)
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers."

[Soldier4Christ]

"I've made an appointment with Dr. Jackson for you," said Nathan's mother when he came home from school one day. Recently, Nathan's eyes had been bothering him, and Dr. Jackson was an optometrist-an eye doctor. He was also Nathan's Sunday school teacher.

When Nathan went for his appointment, Dr. Jackson chatted with him as he slipped different lenses in front of Nathan's eyes. "Been playing any football lately?" asked Dr. Jackson.

Nathan grinned. "You bet," he replied. "I play football every chance I get! I like to read stories about it, too, and I watch it on TV whenever I can. I think I love football more than anything else in the world."

"Not more than you love God, I hope," said Dr. Jackson.

"No," murmured Nathan quickly, but he looked down at the floor. He was embarrassed because he knew he wasn't telling the truth. Football was always on his mind. When he was supposed to be doing school work, he would often think about football plays instead. At church, he heard very little of the sermon because he was again thinking about football.

"Hey, let's do an experiment, Nathan," said the doctor. "I want you to focus your eyes intently on the big E on my chart while you read my diploma."

Nathan stared at the chart. "I see the chart," he said, "but I don't see any diploma. Where is it?" He frowned. "Besides, how could I do that? You can't focus your eyes on two things at the same time, can you?"

Dr. Jackson chuckled. "No, you can't, Nathan," he said. "It's impossible to focus your eyes on two things at once. It's also impossible for a person to please God if he tries to focus his heart on two things at the same time. God tells us to focus our hearts and minds on Him, and not to be double-minded."

Nathan looked confused for a minute. Then he realized
what Dr. Jackson meant. "Okay, I get it," he said. "I should keep my mind off
football whenever it should be on God, right?" With a smile, Dr. Jackson
nodded.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you double-minded? In other words, is it hard for you to concentrate on God because your mind wanders to something else? Submit your life to God. Seek to bring Him glory in everything you do-even in your hobbies. Then you'll be single-minded for Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:
"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."

[Soldier4Christ]

When Tony and his friends arrived at Sunday school, they saw that their teacher had set a radio on the table at the front of the room. Tony whistled. "Nice boom box!" he said.

   Mr. Brock smiled and nodded. "It plays cassette tapes and CD's, too," he said. "That's why I brought it today. I have a CD that goes along with today's lesson." As the rest of the boys arrived, Mr. Brock chatted with them and then called the class to order. "I want to play a CD before we have our Bible study," he said.

The boys settled down to listen, and Mr. Brock pushed the start button to begin playing the CD. Then he sat down to listen with the boys. All was silent in the room. "What's the matter with that thing?" asked Joel.

   "Good question," said Mr. Brock. He stood up and walked to the table to see what the problem was.

   "Is it plugged in?" asked Tony.

   "Oops!" exclaimed Mr. Brock. "That's exactly the problem. I was so busy talking to you boys that I forgot to plug it in." He picked up the cord and inserted the plug into the electrical outlet behind him. Immediately the room was filled with sound.

   Mr. Brock turned the machine off. "We'll listen to this in a minute, but I first want to point out something," he said. "I brought this along so you could listen to a CD, but the radio itself has actually become an object lesson for us. It reminds me of people. This boom box, as you call it, looked good, but until it was plugged into the power source, it was no good to us-we could say that it had no life. People also may look good-that is, their actions may seem good to us-but if they're not 'plugged in' to God, they're like an unplugged radio. They have no life. Who can tell me how we can be 'plugged in' to the life God has for us?"

   Tony's hand shot up. "We have to trust Jesus as Savior," he said.

   Mr. Brock nodded. "Right. Let's look at some Bible
verses that tell about the eternal life which can be ours through
Jesus."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you "plugged in" to the source of eternal life? Do you read the Bible? Pray? Go to church? Do good deeds? All these are fine things to do, but they do not give you eternal life. You must trust Christ as your own Savior. Don't wait-trust Him today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 5:11)
"God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

[Soldier4Christ]

Tony's Sunday school teacher pointed to the radio he had brought to class. "We've already talked about one lesson people can learn from this machine," said Mr. Brock, "and that's the need for them to be Ôplugged in' to the source of life-that is, the need to trust in Jesus. Can you think of another lesson we might learn-a lesson for those who have accepted Jesus as Savior? Any ideas?"

After a moment, Tony had a suggestion. "When you plugged in the radio, there was sound," he said, "so if we're plugged in to God, I guess we should make sounds-like telling others about Him."

"Good thought," responded Mr. Brock. "I hadn't even considered that. Anyone else with an idea?" After a quiet moment, he asked, "What's a radio used for?"

Pete raised his hand. "Well, we can listen to music on it, or listen to the news or weather."

"Or to ball games-stuff like that," said Ryan.

Mr. Brock nodded. "We can tune in to lots of stations. We can listen to all kinds of different things-or we can choose to not listen," he said. "We choose what to hear on the radio, and we also choose what we put into our minds and hearts. What would be some good choices to help us grow in our faith?"

"Listening to good stuff on the radio and TV," said Pete, "and turning off the bad shows."

"Most of the time, we should hang around with guys who are Christians," suggested Ryan.

"We should read the Bible and good books and magazines, too," added Tony.

"Good," said Mr. Brock. "As you choose to occupy your
time and mind with activities that please God, it will affect your thoughts and
actions. Fill your eyes, your ears, and your mind with wholesome things, and
you'll be able to grow in your Christian life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you "tuned in" to things that are helpful in your Christian life? Christian friends, daily personal devotions, and regular attendance at Sunday school and church are some of the "stations" that will help you grow spiritually.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 2:6)
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him."

[Soldier4Christ]

Matt was in a bad mood. He'd just had another lecture from his dad. The subject? His friends! So some of the guys get in trouble a lot, he thought, but when they do bad stuff, I just won't go with them.

"Come with me, Matt," said Dad. "I want to show you something." Matt followed as Dad led the way across the open field toward the river. The hot, Florida sun beat down on them as they walked along the bank. Dad seemed to be searching for something. Finally he spoke softly. "Aha! Here it is! Sh-h-h! Be very quiet."

Matt crept closer. Oh, it's nothing but an old alligator! he thought. I've seen them hundreds of times. Matt was about to speak when Dad held up a finger. In a whisper that could hardly be heard, Dad asked, "Do you know why that alligator is lying there in the sun?"

Matt shrugged. "Sure!" He whispered, too. "He's taking an afternoon nap." Matt grinned. "His mouth is wide open-it looks like the Grand Canyon."

Dad smiled. "To a lot of insects it looks like a good place to rest," he said. "Notice the beetles and the flies and other insects in the alligator's mouth."

Matt nodded. "Oh, look! Now a frog hopped up there. I see a small lizard, too. They'll have a good time eating those bugs!"

"Don't be too sure," replied Dad. "Things may not turn out the way you expect." All of a sudden, the alligator's big jaw fell, he blinked one eye, and down went his dinner. Then the big mouth opened again to wait for more visitors.

Dad spoke slowly as he and Matt turned to go home. "You see, Son, sometimes we're like the lizard and the frog. They thought they were going to have a good time eating all those bugs, but they were in danger themselves. We may think we're having a good time-but if we're in the wrong place, we're asking for trouble."

Dad's talking about my friends again, thought Matt, and as he remembered some things his friends had talked him into doing, he knew Dad was right. I suppose I should see less of those guys, he decided.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have the right kind of friends, or are you running around with kids who coax you to go places and do things that are wrong? You may not see the danger, but if you aren't careful, you may be persuaded to join them in what they're doing. If you love God, it's best to have close friends who love Him, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 1:10)
"If sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

[Soldier4Christ]

Bobby groaned as the bowling ball hooked slowly toward the left and bounced into the gutter. "I bet you wish you'd left me home," he said, slumping into the seat beside his grandfather. "I can't even hit the pins."

Grandpa smiled and put his arm around Bobby's shoulders. "Some days are like that," he said, "but no . . . I don't wish I'd left you home. Let's just have fun and not worry about it if we don't knock all those old pins down. I'm not doing so well myself."

As they changed shoes a little later, Grandpa asked, "How would you like to stop for a hamburger and some fries?"

Bobby shrugged and looked at the floor. "Are you sure you want me to go with you?" he asked. He sighed. "I sure bowled lousy. I hate it when I can't do anything right-I probably jinxed you, too."

"Oh, no, you didn't," said Grandpa. They left the building and started across the parking lot. When they reached the car, Grandpa playfully nudged Bobby. "You know," said Grandpa, "I really enjoyed bowling. Do you know why?" Bobby looked up at him and shook his head. "It was because I was with you," said Grandpa. "I do wish you could have bowled a good game-that would have been more fun for you. But what's important to me is that I can just be with you . . . because I love you." He smiled at Bobby, and Bobby grinned back.

"I want you to remember something else, Bobby," said Grandpa. "As you grow older, you may wonder from time to time if God really loves you, especially when you aren't the best student in class, or the fastest runner, or the most popular person in school." They got into the car and fastened their seat belts. "I hope you'll remember that God doesn't care about those things," added Grandpa. "In one way He's like me-He loves you for who you are, and not for what you can do." Grandpa started the engine. "Now," he said, "let's go get those hamburgers, okay?"

Bobby nodded. "I'm glad you took me bowling today,
Grandpa," he said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When things don't go right or you fail in some way, do you think God doesn't love you? Don't let that thought stay in your mind. God's love for you never changes. He loves you very, very much-always.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:39)
"(Nothing) shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

[Soldier4Christ]

Jase counted the money he'd earned by mowing a neighbor's lawn. "This is going toward a new bike," he decided.

"How about putting some in the Sunday school offering?" suggested his sister Kayla. "I'm hoping our department will soon have enough money to buy the VBS materials they need down at the City Mission."

"Oh, Dad will give us money for the offering," said Jase. "This is my money, so I can do what I want with it." He noticed that Mom was listening, so he hurried to his room before she had a chance to say anything about it.

A few days later, Kayla reminded Jase that their mother's birthday was coming up, so he reluctantly agreed to help pay for a box of chocolates. "Those look awful good," said Jase as he watched his sister wrap the gift. "I can hardly wait to taste one!"

"What makes you think you'll get any?" asked Kayla.

Jase shrugged. "Mom always shares," he said.

Mom was very pleased with the chocolates. She opened the box, selected one, and popped it into her mouth. "It's delicious!" she exclaimed. Then she closed the box. "I think I'll save the rest for later."

Jase's eyes opened wide with surprise. "Aren't you going to give us one?" he asked.

"Give you one?" asked Mom. "You gave the chocolates to me, so they're mine-right?"

"Well, yes," agreed Jase, but he was disappointed.

"It gives you an unhappy feeling when someone doesn't want to share with you, doesn't it?" asked Mom. "Do you suppose God feels that way, too?" Jase knew she was thinking of the conversation she had overheard a few days before. "He gives us many wonderful blessings," added Mom. "If we're truly grateful for all the good things He gives us, we'll be glad to give some back to Him."

Jase nodded. "I know what you're saying," he admitted. "I guess I learned my lesson the hard way."

Mom smiled. "Well, just so you've learned it," she said.
"Now-how about a chocolate?"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Think about the many blessings God has given you. Are you willing to take them- your money, time, and talents-and give them back to Him by sharing them with others? Will you use them to tell others about Him? To be helpful? To make life easier for someone else? Be generous in all you do for God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 10:
"Freely ye have received, freely give."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Guess what, Mom? They're having a turtle race at the Downtown Celebration again this year, and I'm going to enter Myrtle in it," announced Tim one afternoon.

Mom laughed. "Okay," she agreed. "Who knows-she might win."

"I bet she will," said Tim confidently. "I'll start training her right away."

For several weeks before the race, Tim worked with Myrtle. According to the rules, he couldn't touch the turtle in any way during the race, but just about anything else to get the turtle to move was allowed.

The day of the race dawned bright and clear. Excitement ran high as each contestant placed his or her turtle at the starting line. A loud "bang" signaled the beginning of the race, and the turtles were let go. Kids who had entered a turtle in the race jumped up and down, screaming, clapping their hands, and even blowing on their turtles to get them to move faster.

Tim didn't try any of these methods. He calmly took a piece of waxed paper from his pocket. In it he had wrapped three choice spiders-Myrtle's favorite food! He dangled a spider in front of Myrtle's eyes, and his turtle moved faster and faster trying to get the tasty morsel. "Come on, old girl," he encouraged her quietly. "You can do it!" To Tim's delight, Myrtle was the first to cross the finish line! He promptly taped the blue ribbon to her back.

"Those spiders really did the trick," said Tim as they drove home, "and I even had a couple left over for Myrtle's dessert!"

Dad laughed. "You know," he said, "strange as it may seem, the turtle race today reminded me of the race we enter when we become Christians. Myrtle kept her eyes on that spider, and by following it, she won the race. We need to always keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Him."

Tim grinned. "And just like Myrtle kept looking forward
to getting the spider, we look forward to being in heaven with Jesus, right?" He
laughed out loud. "Heaven sure sounds better than a spider!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you "entered the race" by trusting Christ as Savior? Keep your eyes on Him by learning about Him and talking to Him. Depend on Him for strength to do what  pleases Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:1-2)
"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus."

[Soldier4Christ]

Madelyn was gazing dreamily out the window and didn't hear her mother's question. "What are you thinking about, honey?" repeated Mom.

   "Oh . . . about the big birthday party I had last year-and how different things are going to be this year," replied Madelyn sadly. Since her last birthday, her family had moved to a foreign country to serve God as missionaries. Now they lived in a little village far from any big city.

   "Well, different doesn't mean bad," said Mom. "We can still have a birthday party-and maybe you'll find that God has something extra special planned for you." Madelyn rolled her eyes, but Mom chose to ignore it. "Maybe Cita would like to come," suggested Mom. "I doubt she's ever had a birthday party-or been to one. The people here aren't concerned with time. Many of them have no idea what day-or even what year-they were born."

As Madelyn thought about that, she decided it might be fun. "Okay, Mom," she agreed. "I like to play with Cita." Then she had a new idea. "Like you said, Cita probably doesn't even know exactly how old she is, but she seems about my age. Can I ask her if she wants to share both my birthday and my party?"

   "Good idea!" agreed Mom.

   When the big day finally arrived, Cita's family came over for dinner. For dessert, Mom brought out two very special birthday cakes with eight candles on each. Cita beamed as she followed Madelyn's example and blew out the candles on her cake. It was great fun to watch her reaction to everything they did at the party.

As Madelyn shared her birthday with Cita, who had never enjoyed anything like it before, she suddenly understood what her dad meant when he talked about the joy of showing the love of Christ to people who had never known of it before.

   Madelyn grinned at her mother as the two girls posed for
a picture. "Thanks for the party, Mom!" said Madelyn. "Sharing is fun. This was
my best birthday ever!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel sorry for yourself when things don't go just the way you'd like them to? Or when you don't get something you want? Try thinking of others, and look for ways to help them. God has a way of rewarding generosity and making you happy when you share.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 2:4)
"Look . . . also on the things of others."

[Soldier4Christ]

Noah slouched in a kitchen chair. "Hey, Mom," he said with a sigh, "remember that I told you my friend Alex accepted Jesus after Sunday school class a month or so ago? Well, I saw him smoking in the school parking lot today. Isn't that disgusting?" Noah shook his head sadly. "I heard him use a swear word the other day, too. Some Christian he turned out to be!"

Mom looked thoughtful. "That's too bad, Noah," she began. Just then, they heard a faint cry coming from down the hall. "Your sister's awake," said Mom. She started to get up, then sat down again. "You can get up from your nap, honey," Mom called. "Come on out,"

Noah stared at his mother. "Maggie can't walk out here by herself-she's only six months old," he said. "Do you want me to get her?"

Mom shrugged. "I guess you can if you want to," she said, "but don't you think we've been carrying her around long enough? If she doesn't want to make the effort to walk out here, maybe we should just let her cry."

"But . . . but, Mom! You know babies can't walk," protested Noah. "Give her a chance to grow up!"

"You mean the same 'chance to grow' that you're giving Alex?" asked Mom.

Noah looked confused. "I don't get it," he said.

"Babies can't do everything as soon as they're born-they have to grow up gradually," said Mom as she got up to get Maggie. "That's true of Christians, too." She left the room and soon came back with the baby. "Some people seem to grow very quickly after they accept Christ as Savior," continued Mom. "Others take more time. As they go to church, read the Bible, pray, and fellowship with other Christians, God will help them grow, but we have to be patient with them."

"So . . . you're saying I shouldn't get so disgusted with Alex, right?" asked Noah.

Mom nodded. "Keep on being a friend to him," she
advised. "Be a good example for him, and don't expect too much of him all at
once. We'll all pray that God will help Alex grow."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you tempted to criticize a new Christian who does something wrong? He or she needs help and prayer, not criticism. Making Christians feel discouraged is the Devil's work. Your job is to build them up! Be a true friend by praying and waiting for God to help them grow.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians1:6)
"He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it."

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm glad Logan raised his hand and stayed after class to talk with Mr. Rob about being saved," said Jennifer as she and her friend Sandi walked home from Sunday school.

"Me, too," agreed Sandi. "Maybe his behavior will improve now-he's always been so wild! His family is really poor, and I've heard his dad drinks a lot." She shook her head. "I'm glad my family isn't like that," she added. "It must be embarrassing to have to go and get saved. I'm glad I was born a Christian."

"But everybody has to be saved," objected Jennifer.

Sandi shrugged. "Oh, Jennifer! Not everybody," she said. "I come from a great family. We have one of the nicest homes in town-and my father is the mayor!" As Jennifer began to protest, Sandi added, "Oh, forget it, will you? Come on, I'll race you home." Laughing, she ran ahead.

When a circus came to town a few days later, Sandi invited Jennifer to go with her to an after-school performance. The girls arrived there just on time, excited and eager to see the animals and other performers. "Oh, no!" groaned Sandi as she searched her pockets. "I must have left the tickets in my desk!" She appealed to the gatekeeper. "Can you please let us go on in and bring the tickets later?" she asked. "Please?" The gatekeeper shook his head. Sandi frowned and looked him straight in the eye. "Do you know who I am?" she asked haughtily. "I'm the mayor's daughter!"

"Well, Miss Mayor's Daughter," said the gatekeeper, "when you show me your ticket you can get in. Not before!" Defeated, the girls turned away.

After walking in silence for a few minutes, Jennifer
glanced at Sandi. "It didn't make any difference who you are, did it?" asked
Jennifer timidly. She paused, then added, "If the gatekeeper wouldn't let you
into the circus even though you come from a good family-and even though you're
the mayor's daughter-what makes you think God will let you into heaven for those
reasons? You need a ticket to get into the circus, and you need Jesus to get
into heaven!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you're okay just because you have a good home and family? The Bible says it makes no difference who you are-whether you're from the best home in town, or the worst-you are a sinner. You need Jesus. Trust Him as Savior today.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 3:22-23)
"For there is no difference . . . all have sinned."

[Soldier4Christ]

Mary held her mother's hand, and her dad carried her baby brother, Tommy, as the family walked to church. It was a sunny fall morning. The leaves were beginning to turn orange and gold. "I'm glad we live close to church. It's fun to walk," said Mary as she bent to collect a handful of colorful leaves. "I know the way to church all by myself," she added confidently. Mom smiled and nodded.

When they reached the church steps, Mom turned to Mary. "You're a big girl now," she said. "You know the way to church, and you know the way to your Sunday school room. I'm going to let you take yourself to your room today while Daddy and I take Tommy to the nursery and go to our own class."

Mary clutched her mother's hand tightly and shook her head. "I want you to take me," she pleaded.

"I'll watch you go, but learning to do things by yourself is part of growing up," Mom told her.

Mom pointed to a large, black bird that was circling in the sky. "That bird wasn't able to fly when he was born. His parents fed him in a nest until he was big enough to try his wings." Mary watched the bird while Mom continued. "He grew little by little, and after a while, the mother bird knew he had enough feathers to fly a little by himself. She let him take short trips that she knew were safe. Finally, he could fly anywhere he needed to go."

Mom smiled at Mary. "God wants His little birds to learn to fly, and He helps them do that. And He wants little people to learn how to take care of themselves as they grow, too. God didn't give you wings, but He gave you good, strong legs and a smart mind that will help you find your way. I'll walk with you if you want me to, but God has given you everything you need to get to your room. He'll go with you. What do you think?"

Mary thought about the things her mother was saying. She
did know the way to her room. She knew she could find it. She let go of her
mother's hand and started up the steps. "I can do it," she said. And she
did.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
As you learn to do things by yourself, remember that you always need God's wisdom. Learn to trust Him to help you as you grow and learn new things each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 2:10)
"Wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul."