Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Nick put a bag of groceries on the kitchen counter. "Here's your change, Mom," he said.

"Thanks," said Mom, but she frowned when she counted the change. "This is a little short," she added.

"The clerk must have made a mistake," Nick muttered. "I'm going out to play with Brian."

A few minutes later, Nick's little brother came in. "I want an ice cream bar," he said. Mom shook her head. "Nick and Brian had one," whined Mark. "Brian said Nick gave him one for going to the store with him."

Mom called Nick into the house to ask about the ice cream. "Brian bought them," Nick lied. "He . . ."

Just then Brian stuck his head in the doorway. "I've got to go home," he said. "Thanks for the ice cream."

For a moment there was silence in the kitchen after Brian shut the door. "Nick," said Mom, "you are grounded for the next two weeks."

"Aw, Mom," protested Nick, "it's not . . ." He stopped speaking when Mom held up her hand.

"Not only did you spend the money without permission," said Mom, "you lied about it-twice."

Nick turned and headed for his room. "One little mistake around here and you're treated like a criminal," he grumbled as he passed the den. Dad, who was reading the paper there, heard him.

"Look at this, Nick," said Dad when he learned what had happened. He pointed to a picture in the paper. It showed a man high up on the steel skeleton of a tall building that was being constructed downtown. "See that man way up there, Nick?" asked Dad. "What if he got careless and thought, 'What difference does it make how I walk? What difference will one little step make?' What could happen?"

"Well . . . he might fall and get killed," Nick replied.

Dad nodded. "It's important for him to walk carefully," he said, "and the Bible says it's important for Christians to walk carefully, too. One misstep in the way you live your life may seem like a little thing to you, but it could have serious consequences. You need to take all sin seriously."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you excuse yourself for doing wrong by saying something was just a little sin or you told only a little lie or took just a few cookies? God expects His children to walk in love, not in lies or other sinful acts. In His sight, all actions are important.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:15)
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Let's play with the Frisbee," said Zach after enjoying a picnic lunch at a park. "Come on, Mom and Dad. You have to play, too. You and I can be a team, Mom, and we'll keep the Frisbee away from Ashley and Dad." Laughing, everyone agreed, and the game began.

 "Catch this, Zach," Mom called as she tossed the Frisbee a little later. "Don't let Ashley get it!"

Zach and Ashley ran, laughing and grabbing for the spinning disk. Zach jumped and came down with a thud. "Oh-h-h!" he groaned. He grabbed his ankle with one hand and held onto the Frisbee with the other. Mom and Dad both stopped playing and ran to see if he was all right. "I'm okay," insisted Zach, but when he took a step, his ankle hurt. He limped over to a park bench.

"We need to get that taken care of," said Mom.

Dad nodded. "I'll drive up as close as I can and then help you to the car." Zach hated to leave the park, but his ankle hurt too much for him to object very much.

"Does it hurt bad?" Ashley asked anxiously.

"Not as bad as it did," Zach replied.

"Pain is a blessing," said Mom as Dad drove up.

"A blessing?" Zach snorted. "You're kidding!"

"No, I'm not," replied Mom. "Pain is a built-in alarm, telling us something isn't right. If your ankle didn't hurt, you would continue to walk on it. Then you might make the injury even worse."

"Mom's right," agreed Dad as he helped Zach stand up. "Pain is a blessing-a strange one, but nevertheless a blessing. A headache, a stomachache, a toothache-all are warnings that something is wrong and needs care. Sometimes pain even saves people from death."

"So we should thank God for pain," said Zach, leaning on Dad's arm. Zach grinned weakly, then added, "I guess."

Dad smiled. "This kind of pain isn't the only kind that's a blessing," he said. "Painful circumstances are blessings, too-things like a flat tire, a difficult school assignment, or a casserole that didn't turn out the way the recipe said it should. They don't feel like blessings when they happen, but God uses them to teach and mature us. We should learn to thank Him for them, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever thanked God for pain? Probably not. It's hard to give thanks when you're hurting, but even pain has a purpose. Nothing enters your life unless God allows it, and He has a purpose for it. Trust Him, and thank Him even for the difficult and painful things you experience.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Eph. 5:20)
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God."

[Soldier4Christ]

Bang! Matthew's ankle hit the dining room chair. Crash! The chair toppled over as Matthew kicked it with his bare foot. "Ouch!" yelled Matthew as he sat down to rub his sore ankle and aching toes. "That dumb chair! It always gets in the way."

Dad walked over to the chair, quietly set it up, and asked, "Who are you mad at, Matt?"

"At the chair," replied Matthew. "It hurt my foot!"

"I'm sorry you got hurt," said Dad, "but the chair didn't actually jump out in front of you, did it? So why take it out on the chair?"

Matthew shrugged. "It's no big deal," he grumbled. "Who cares if I yell at the chair? It can't hear me."

"No, but God can," Dad replied. "Do you think He's pleased when you shout and kick the furniture just because something doesn't go your way?" Dad shook his head. "You're responsible for your actions and for the words that come out of your mouth," he continued. "Displaying your temper won't make your anger go away. It only makes you, and everyone around you, more tense and unhappy." Matthew looked down at the floor. This was not the first time Dad had spoken to him about his problem with anger.

"Well . . . then what should I do?" mumbled Matthew.

"When you feel anger rising up, immediately ask God to help you get rid of it," replied Dad. "If you start to feel sorry for yourself, tell God about it." Dad grinned as he added, " And walk a little more slowly through the dining room. Then if you bump into a chair, it won't hurt so much."

Matthew and his father laughed together. "I'll try, Dad," agreed Matthew. As he turned to go, he immediately bumped into the corner of the table. "Ouch! You old . . ." He stopped and rubbed his leg. Then glancing at Dad, he added with a grin, "Sorry, Mr. Table. I hope I didn't hurt you."

Dad grinned, too. "Great!" he said. "This time I'm sure God was pleased with what He heard."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you control feelings of anger, or do they control you? People who lose their tempers can hurt and irritate those around them, and they displease God, too. Anger can easily lead to other sin such as fighting. With God's help, control your temper!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 16:32)
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty."

[Soldier4Christ]

Kamaria quoted her memory verse. "A good name is more desirable than great riches."

"Good." Her Sunday school teacher nodded her approval. "Last week we talked about the importance of having a good name-a good reputation," said Mrs. Wallace. "I thought it might be fun to also find the meaning of the names our parents gave us." She held up a book of names and their meanings. "Shall we look up one of your names each week?"

Kamaria raised her hand. "Will my name be in it?" she asked doubtfully. "It's an African name, you know."

"Yes, and it's a pretty one," said Mrs. Wallace with a smile. "I've already checked and found that each of your names is in here. In fact, Kamaria, we'll begin with your name, okay?" Kamaria eagerly nodded.

Mrs. Wallace opened the book. "Here it is," she said after a moment. She handed the book to Kamaria. "Would you like to read it for us?"

 Kamaria took the book. "Kamaria," she read, "literally means 'like the moon.'"

Mrs. Wallace nodded. "What does the moon do?" she asked.

Lauren quickly raised her hand. "It gives light at night," she said.

"Right," agreed Mrs. Wallace, "and where does it get its light?"

"From the sun!" chorused the kids.

"Correct. Now Kamaria, read John 8:12 to see the source of the Christian's light," directed Mrs. Wallace.

Quickly finding the verse, Kamaria read, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" She looked up. "So Christians get their light from Jesus," she added.

"Yes," said Mrs. Wallace. "Those who don't know Him are walking in darkness. I want each of you to examine your own heart and make sure you know Jesus, the Light of the World." She smiled at Kamaria."To truly be like the moon and give light, you need to know the one who is the source of light."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you walking in the light or in darkness? Do you know Jesus? He refers to Himself as the Light of the World. If you've not done so before, trust in Jesus today and be brought from darkness into His kingdom of light.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 John 1:5)
"God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."

[Soldier4Christ]

My name means "moon," and the moon gives light, thought Kamaria after her Sunday school class had discussed the meaning of names. I should give light, too. Mrs. Wallace says we can spread light by being helpful, so I'll help Mom as much as I can this week.

Kamaria had very good intentions, but when her little brother wanted her to read a story to him that afternoon, she informed him that she had more interesting things to do than to "read that stupid story."

On Monday evening Kamaria meant to do the dishes while her mother was at a missionary meeting, but she hated washing dishes. I'll do it later, she decided. Before she knew it, it was bedtime, so when Mom came home, the sink was still full.

On Tuesday Kamaria got up late and hurried off to school without taking out the trash.

At church on Wednesday night, Kamaria saw her Sunday school teacher. "Hi, Miss Moon," Mrs. Wallace greeted her. "How are you doing?"

Kamaria flinched. "Some light I've turned out to be," she confessed. "I haven't done well at all. Mom and Dad should have named me something else."

"Are you remembering that the moon has no light of its own?" asked Mrs. Wallace. "It reflects the sun. You have no light of your own, either. You can be a light only by reflecting the Son-the Son of God. First of all, you need to belong to Jesus. Have you accepted Him into your life?" Kamaria nodded. "Then ask Him to help you reflect His love," said Mrs. Wallace.

As Kamaria walked home the next day, she remembered her teacher's words just as she was about to throw her candy bar wrapper on Mrs. Grey's lawn. Help me reflect You, she prayed silently. Then she helped the elderly lady drag her garbage out to the curb.

When Mom insisted she do her homework before going out to play, some sassy words were on the tip of her tongue before she remembered. Please help me, Lord, she prayed again. She actually hummed a tune while she got out her books, and she added, Thank You, Jesus, for letting me reflect Your light.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Your name probably isn't Kamaria, but if you're a Christian, your life should reflect Jesus. Can you think of ways it could do that? Can you help a little brother with homework? Read to your grandma? Set the table? Go to bed cheerfully? As you yield to Jesus and reflect Him, others will see His love in you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 2:15)
"Shine as lights in the world."

[Soldier4Christ]

Kelsey watched her two-year-old brother play with his cousin Ryan, who was also two. Whenever Ryan picked up a toy, Josh would grab it and yell, "Mine! Mine!"

"Share your toys, Josh," Kelsey told him. "Ryan may play with them, too." But Josh ignored her orders.

When Kelsey's mother joined them, Kelsey told her about Josh's selfishness. "Isn't it awful that Josh won't let Ryan play with his toys?" sputtered Kelsey. "He plays with Ryan's toys lots of times."

Mom nodded, and as she watched the boys play, she insisted several times that Josh give a toy back to Ryan. "Unfortunately we're sometimes like Josh ourselves," she observed.

"I share my things," protested Kelsey. "Don't I?"

Mom smiled. "I'm sure you do," she agreed, "but I was thinking about sharing with God. We often hang onto our money and possessions-and our time and talents-as if they were for our use alone. We forget that everything we have was given to us by God. It's ours to use, but it actually belongs to Him, and we should use it in a way that honors Him."

Kelsey was quiet for a few minutes. "Some of the money I earned baby-sitting should go to our Sunday school missionary offering, shouldn't it?" she asked. "I forgot all about that."

Mom smiled. "I wasn't thinking of that," she said. "It sounds like a good idea, but that's between you and the Lord. Talk to Him about it, and then do whatever you feel He wants you to do. I was actually thinking that I should offer to help with the Bible clubs this year, even though it will take a lot of my spare time."

Kelsey smiled as she pointed toward her brother. "I think Josh's learning," she said as they watched Josh hand Ryan one of his favorite trucks. The boys laughed happily as they played together. "Look," said Kelsey. "He's happier now, too."

Mom nodded. "We're happier, too," she said, "when we use our talents and time and money for the Lord."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that everything you have belongs to God? Thank Him for trusting you with it, and then use the time, money, talents, and possessions He's given you in a way that will benefit others and honor Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 24:1)
"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

[Soldier4Christ]

When Sammy went with his grandmother to the park one day, she bought popcorn from a sidewalk vendor. They sat down on a bench to enjoy it, and soon there were pigeons all around their feet. Sammy ended up feeding more popcorn to the birds than he ate himself.

"Watch me, Grandma. I'm a pigeon!" Sammy said with a giggle. Soon Grandma was laughing at his imitation, for Sammy had captured the pigeon walk perfectly-head forward . . . stop . . . head back . . . stop!

As they walked home, Sammy again imitated the way pigeons walk. "Sammy, I read somewhere that a pigeon walks that way because it can't adjust its eye focus while moving," Grandma told him. "In order to see where it's going, it has to stop and be completely still for a moment, and then it can go on."

"Oh, I wouldn't like that!" exclaimed Sammy. "I don't like to stop. I like to run fast!" He dashed down the sidewalk, then turned and waited for Grandma.

Grandma laughed. "I want to tell you something," she said. "As you grow older-and even now when you're still quite small-you need to stop now and then and be still before God."

"Before God?" asked Sammy. "What do you mean?"

"Well, your life can get all mixed up if you don't come to God and be still so He can speak to you," Grandma said. "Just like a pigeon, we have to stop sometimes and get our focus cleared up. I hope you'll take some time every day to be still with God-read His Word, pray, and just 'be still' so He can speak to you."

"People don't really hear God's voice, do they, Grandma?" Sammy asked.

Grandma smiled. "Not out loud-but as you think about what He has said in His Word, you'll know in your heart and mind that God is talking to you," she replied. "Be sure to do whatever He tells you to do!"

Sammy nodded. "Okay, Grandma," he agreed.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you hear God talk to you, or are you too busy to listen? If you're too busy to spend time with God, you're too busy. Learn today's memory verse and practice doing what it says. Read God's Word and think about Him each day-think about His promises to you and what He's done for you. Ask Him to teach you to live in ways that please Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 46:10)
"Be still, and know that I am God."

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's not my turn. Do it yourself!" Jose yelled over his shoulder as he slammed the door and stomped down the steps.

"Hi, Jose. What are you mad about?" a voice called out. Nathan, Jose's new neighbor, was leaning against the gate, grinning. "You get mad a lot, don't you?"

"None of your business," growled Jose.

Nathan laughed and pointed at Jose's shirt. "I'm a King's kid," read Nathan. "What does that mean? Your dad's a plumber."

"That's talking about God," said Jose. "I'm a child of God." He picked up his bat and glove. "I'm going to the park to play ball with the gang. You want to come? You can play on my team."

"Sure," agreed Nathan. "Can I pitch? I always pitched on my old ball team." Jose hesitated. "I'm good!" insisted Nathan. "I get lots of guys to strike out."

"Okay. You can try it," agreed Jose. So when they began playing, Nathan pitched.

After Nathan walked the first three batters, Jose began to have doubts about his pitching ability. When his team was behind six to one at the end of the second inning, Jose replaced Nathan with Clint.

That evening Jose told his parents about Nathan. "He's just a bunch of talk," he said. "He wouldn't know a good pitcher if he saw one-and I told him so, too."

Mom raised her eyebrows. "I heard you talking to Nathan this afternoon, Jose," she said. "I heard what he said about you getting mad a lot. And I heard your response."

Jose shrugged. "So?"

"I also heard you tell him you're God's child," said Mom, "and I wonder what Nathan is thinking. He claimed to be a pitcher, but you think he's a very poor one-just a 'bunch of talk.' You claim to be a Christian, and I wonder just what kind of Christian Nathan thinks you are. Does he think you're just a 'bunch of talk'?" Jose looked a bit startled as Mom continued. "It's good to give a testimony through the words on your T-shirt," she said, "but you need to be more than a T-shirt Christian. Your actions need to match those words."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your actions match your words? If you claim to be a Christian, do your actions say you are one, too? A testimony for Jesus involves more than T-shirt advertising. It involves living for Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 3:13)
"Who is a wise man . . .? Let him show out of a good conversation (actions) his works with meekness of wisdom."

[Soldier4Christ]

Meg dropped her books on the end table. As she slumped down on the sofa with a sigh, Mom looked up. "What's wrong?" asked Mom.

"Mrs. Carson doesn't like me," whined Meg. "She picks on me all the time. And Brenda got the solo part I wanted. And . . ."

"Whoa!" Mom interrupted. "Let's talk about one thing at a time. How does Mrs. Carson pick on you?"

"All kinds of ways!" exclaimed Meg, jumping up. "But you wouldn't understand. No one understands me!" She stormed out of the room, and soon Mom heard angry words coming from the room Meg shared with her sister Stephanie.

The door opened, and Stephanie came out. "Mom, make Meg leave me alone," she cried. "She's messing up my stuff." Tears trickled down her cheeks. Her little brother Hunter stared at her; then he joined in and wailed along with her. "Now see what you've started, Meg," said Stephanie as her sister came into the room.

"Sure! Sure! Everything's always my fault," raged Meg.

"Well, it is," retorted Stephanie. "Everything was fine until you came home!"

Mom frowned. "Girls . . . girls!" she exclaimed. "Let's calm down!" After a moment she added, "Meg, I hope I don't have to put you in isolation like your cousin Amy."

"Put me in isolation!" exclaimed Meg. "What for? Amy has an infectious disease-somebody might catch it from her. I don't have any disease."

"Well, diseases aren't the only things that are contagious," replied Mom. "Attitudes are, too."

"Attitudes?" asked Meg with a frown.

"Yes, attitudes," Mom repeated. "When you came home, Meg, you had a bad attitude. It wasn't five minutes before that attitude had infected everyone in this family. We all became upset and angry. How do you think God feels about the way you're acting?" She looked at Meg sternly as she added, "If your attitude doesn't improve, I may have to put you in isolation-that is, put you in your room alone for a while."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you know that attitudes are "catching"? Ask God each day to help you display a happy spirit. If someone in your family has a bad attitude, resist it. Counteract it with a smile or a kind word. Don't spread gloom; spread sunshine.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 51:10)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Yes!" Jared pumped the air with his fist. "Yes!" he exclaimed again. The runner from his school had just won first place in the one-hundred-meter dash in the track and field competition.

"We won the track meet," Jared reported that evening. "We took first place in most of the events."

"Good," said Dad. "How did your cousin Andrew do in the long jump?"

"Not bad," replied Jared, "but he didn't win."

"Well, if he gave it all he had," said Dad, "that's all anybody can ask."

"I don't know if he tried his best or not," said Jared. "When I was talking to him last week, he said he just wanted to be there and race, and that he didn't even care whether or not he won."

"Really?" asked Dad. "I guess that may partly explain why he wasn't the winner. He already got what he wanted-he was in the race."

"I can't imagine being content with just being in the race and not caring if you win or if you don't," said Jared.

Dad shook his head. "No-but you know what? We're like that ourselves sometimes," he said. "The Bible says Christians are in a race. Many Christians are content just to be in that race-just to be Christians-and they don't seem to care if they run a good race or not."

"How do we run a good race?" asked Jared.

"When we run to win, we have a growing relationship with the Lord Jesus," replied Dad. "We learn more and more about Him and how to live in a way that pleases Him. We learn to love and serve Him-to be kind and honest and helpful . . . the list goes on and on."

Jared was thoughtful for a moment. "I know there was a really cool medal for today's winner," he said. "Is there a medal for the race Christians are in, too?"

Dad smiled. "God does promise to reward those who serve Him," he said. "I don't know exactly what the reward will be-the Bible mentions a crown. Whatever it is, it will be wonderful to be rewarded by God."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you in the race the Bible speaks of-are you a Christian? If so, are you running to win? Get to know God better, and try to serve and please Him in all you do. He loves you and wants to reward you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 3:14)
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mr. Cox says that if I want to get a passing grade on this math assignment, I have to do the whole thing over and write down the steps to show how I got my answers!" Kyle complained as he slammed his book bag onto the table. "I don't feel like doing it!"

"Speed bumps," said his older brother Drew.

"What are you talking about?" asked Kyle.

"You know those built-up humps in parking lots that force you to slow down?" asked Drew. Kyle nodded. There were several outside their apartment building. "Well," Drew continued, "speed bumps are good because they keep a driver alert. If he's going too fast, they remind him to be more careful."

"So?" asked Kyle.

"So maybe Mr. Cox is forcing you to slow down so you'll be more careful, too," Drew told his brother. Kyle didn't answer. How can Drew understand? he thought. He's always been good in math. "Look," Drew said, turning to go, "do the assignment. I'll be ready to go swimming in about an hour. Try to get it done by then-okay?"

"Yeah, right," said Kyle. He was sure that was impossible, but he pulled out his math book. When he carefully checked his first problem and showed all the steps he took to get the answer, he discovered he had added when he should have subtracted. In another problem, he had forgotten the decimal point. He had expressed one answer in inches instead of feet.

"Almost finished?" asked Drew when he came back. He pulled up a chair. "Hey, Kyle, remember that when I was in fifth grade, I had Mr. Cox, too?"

"Yeah. So what?" asked Kyle.

"A lot of mistakes in math are avoided by just being careful and checking your work. Mr. Cox taught me that," said Drew as he gave his brother a playful nudge. "I guess God knew all along that Mr. Cox is the kind of teacher you need."

Kyle grinned. "And He knew you were the kind of brother I need. As soon as I get over these 'speed bumps,' I'll race you to the pool."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that God puts people in your life for your good-perhaps to be the "speed bumps" you need? Honor God by submitting to those He has placed in authority. Thank Him instead of grumbling.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:13)
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake."

[Soldier4Christ]

Something was chasing Anna, and she ran as fast as she could. She couldn't see what chased her, but it was making all sorts of weird noises, and it was getting closer and closer. Suddenly the road seemed to end in midair, and she felt herself falling . . . falling . . . as off a high cliff! She heard herself screaming as she fell! It was probably her own screaming that woke her up. Yes . . . Anna had been dreaming!

Anna's scream also woke her dad. He came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "What's the matter, honey?" he asked. With a shaking voice, Anna told him about the dreadful "thing" that had chased her.

"Calm down, Anna. It was just a dream," comforted Dad. "If you like, I'll stay here until you fall asleep again, okay?" Anna nodded and snuggled down in her bed. Soon she was once again fast asleep.

"My dream last night seemed so real," Anna said the next morning. "Where do dreams come from?"

"That's hard to say," replied Dad. "Some scientists say they come from deep inside your subconscious mind and that they show some of the fears hidden there. But what you think about just before going to sleep often has a big effect on your dreams, too. That's one reason why it's a good idea to read a good book or some Bible verses before going to bed."

"I read once that some people think God talks to them through their dreams," said Anna. "Does He?"

"In Bible times He often talked to His people through dreams," replied Dad, "but now we have the Bible to guide us. These days we're much better off trusting His written Word for direction in our lives, rather than trusting some dream we've had."

Anna nodded. "My dreams are mostly pretty silly," she said with a grin. "I don't think I'd care to count on them to guide me in any way!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about what you put into your mind just before bedtime? Make a habit of reading a few verses from the Bible and praying just before going to sleep. And don't trust your dreams for direction in your life. Trust what the Bible says!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Prov. 3:24)
"Thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Can we go and see the sheep?" Jamal asked eagerly when he arrived at Uncle Joe's ranch. He was going to spend a whole month with his aunt and uncle.

"Sure. We'll do that this afternoon," agreed Uncle Joe.

After lunch Jamal and his uncle climbed into the jeep and checked on sheep in several of the pastures on the ranch. "I didn't know there were so many sheep in the world," said Jamal. "They all look so fat and woolly!"

Uncle Joe stopped the jeep along the fence of a neighboring ranch. "Their wool sometimes hides their real condition," he said. "The sheep in this pasture are really pretty thin." After a moment they moved on. "Their owner is away," said Uncle Joe with a sigh, "and the manager doesn't really care about the sheep. He ignores them most of the time."

 "I'll bet your sheep are glad they belong to you," said Jamal, "because you take such good care of them. You're a really good shepherd, Uncle Joe."

Uncle Joe smiled at Jamal. "I hope so," he said as they drove toward home, "but I'm not the best shepherd. Do you know who is?" Jamal wrinkled his brow and shook his head. "Jesus is," said Uncle Joe. "Working with the sheep always reminds me of Him because the Bible says He's 'the Good Shepherd.' I care for my sheep, but I don't know that I'd die for them. That's what Jesus did-He died for His sheep."

"But not everybody is one of His sheep," said Jamal.

"No. He died for everyone, but only those who trust Jesus for salvation become His sheep," said Uncle Joe as they reached the ranch. "Those who don't belong to Jesus belong to Satan. They belong to someone who doesn't really care for them-kind of like the poor, thin sheep down the road." Uncle Joe shook his head. "Sometimes their good deeds hide their real condition, just like the wool hides the condition of those sheep, but God knows His sheep." Uncle Joe looked at Jamal. "How about you, Jamal?" he asked. "Do you belong to Jesus?"

Jamal smiled and nodded. "I asked Jesus to forgive and save me last spring," he said. "I'm one of His sheep."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you belong to Jesus-the Good Shepherd? Or do you belong to Satan? Jesus loves you and wants to take care of you and guide you. Trust Him as your Savior, and then you can look to Him for care and help, no matter what life may bring.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 23:1)
"The Lord is my Shepherd."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Jamal! Wake up!" Uncle Joe's loud whisper interrupted Jamal's sleep! Jamal glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Two o'clock in the morning! Why is Uncle Joe waking me up at this unearthly hour? wondered Jamal. "Want to help move the sheep?" asked Uncle Joe. "It's raining so hard that there's danger of flooding in the south pasture. The sheep there have to be moved." Now wide awake, Jamal eagerly jumped out of bed.

After several hours of hard work, the sheep were high and dry, and Jamal tumbled back into bed.

A few days later, Jamal and Uncle Joe drove out to see how the sheep were doing in their new grazing spot. "Wow!" exclaimed Jamal when he saw the rich, green pasture. "Those sheep will never want to leave here!"

Uncle Joe pointed. "See that sheep over by the fence? She's trying to reach the plants on the other side, and I'm afraid she'll try to get over there even though this is a better pasture. I may not be able to keep her, because she does that kind of thing all the time-and she teaches the lambs the same tricks. Other sheep follow her, too."

"She doesn't know when she's got it good!" exclaimed Jamal. "You give her everything she needs, and you're up all hours of the night to take care of her. What a dummy she is!"

Uncle Joe smiled. "You're never like that, are you?" he asked. "You never want something more when God has already given you many good things, do you?"

As his uncle spoke, Jamal recalled that just the day before, he had felt very cross. Instead of being happy with the many things he could do on the ranch, he had been annoyed because he hadn't been allowed to ride Uncle Joe's favorite horse. Then Aunt Sue had asked him to help with the dishes-a job he especially disliked! He felt foolish as he remembered those things.

"Sometimes I'm like that sheep myself," Uncle Joe admitted. "We all need to remember that the Good Shepherd provides everything needed in a Christian's life. What more could we want?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you content with what God gives you-or do you find yourself wanting a bigger allowance? More clothes? Better health? More permissive parents? Do pray about your needs and your wants, but be content with what God gives you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 23:1)
" The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

[Soldier4Christ]

Dylan had been elected class president, and his family went out for ice cream to celebrate his victory. "Good going, Dylan," said his mother as they left home. "You have an important job."

"I know," said Dylan proudly. "I'm the top dog in my whole class."

"You can be a good example to your class," said Dad. "Always remember that God is the . . . "

"Quick, Dad. Turn around!" Dean shouted from the back seat. "I just saw a dog in a tree!"

"Forget the jokes," Dylan told his brother. "I'm hungry for chocolate ice cream!"

"For real," Dean insisted. "I saw it! Turn around, and I'll show you." Dad wasn't convinced, but he circled the block. "See!" Dean shouted as he pointed. Sure enough! On the platform of a treehouse, there was a wire dog pen with a bulldog pacing back and forth inside of it.

"How did it get there?" wondered Dylan.

"I'll bet that bulldog is the mascot for the Bulldog Football Team from Crestview High," guessed Dad. "Someone must have put him up there as a prank."

"Probably the Warriors from South Ridge High," said Dean. "They play against the Bulldogs tomorrow."

"Could be," agreed Dad. "When we get to the ice cream parlor, we'll notify the school so they can come and get him. But that dog in a tree is a good reminder."

"To go to the game?" Dean asked.

Dad laughed. "That, too," he said. "But I was thinking of what I started to say earlier. That bulldog didn't get there by himself, did he? Someone put him there. And in life, no one gets anywhere by himself. Positions of importance and influence are given by God."

"Like Dylan's job as class president?" asked Dean.

Dad nodded. "Yes, and God also controls all the other areas of life. Everything we have-our appearance, intelligence, family-was given to us by God. Since we receive all these things from Him, we don't have anything to brag about." Dad smiled. "Now," he said, "let's go get that ice cream."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you boast about things you have or things you can do? Your lovely hair, a keen mind, athletic ability-everything you have-has been given to you by God. He's the One who should receive any glory that those things bring.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 3:27)
"A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."