Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Better Friend

Madison sat cross-legged on the bedroom floor, surrounded by snapshots. "Look, Mom!" she exclaimed. "Here's another picture of me and Mousie. I really loved that old stuffed animal."

As Madison shuffled through several old photographs, her mother peeked over her shoulder. There were pictures of Madison swinging in the back yard, riding her first bike, and wearing a red Christmas dress. There were a number of pictures of her blowing out candles on a succession of birthday cakes. In many of the pictures, the little girl clutched a blue stuffed toy.

"Why did you love that grubby old bear so much?" asked Mom. She added with a smile, "It really was a bear, you know, not a mouse."

Madison laughed. "I know, but I thought he looked more like a mouse. I guess I loved him because he was a good guy to talk to. He just sat and listened." Madison could remember long-ago times when she had sobbed her "hurts" into the fur of her faded, blue friend. "I told Mousie all my secrets, and he seemed to understand-even though he never could tell me so or hug me back," she said as she gathered the snapshots and put them into a shoebox.

Mom nodded. "We need a friend like that, don't we?" she said. Then she added, "Mrs. March and her daughter Jody invited us to go with them to church tomorrow, Madison. Mrs. March said the pastor of their church is giving a message called 'Jesus, Our Best Friend,' and I think I'd like to hear it? Shall we go?"

Madison snapped a rubber band over the lid of the shoebox. "Okay," she agreed. "I've been a little lonesome since we moved here. I've talked to Jody a couple of times, but I don't really know her very well. Maybe if we go to church with them, we'll become good friends. I'd like that."

"And I'd like to know more about Jesus as my friend," Mom said.

Madison nodded. "Maybe He's the kind of friend we could tell our secrets to," she said. "The kind of friend who understands what we're feeling." She picked up a photo that had fallen to the floor and looked at it. "An even better friend than Mousie," she added with a smile.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you need a friend-one with whom you can share all your thoughts? The Bible speaks of the value of friendships. And it tells about the best friend of all-Jesus. He wants to be your friend throughout your whole life. He wants you to tell Him about all your joys and sorrows, your hopes and disappointments, your family and classmates-all the things that affect your life. Accept Him as your Savior today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
There is a friend (Jesus) who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

[Soldier4Christ]

 Duty? Or Love?

Jan sat at the kitchen table, lost in thought, while her mother put away the dinner dishes. "A penny for your thoughts," said Mom with a smile.

"They're worth much more than that," replied Jan with a grin, "but I'll just give them to you for free. I was thinking of something my Sunday school teacher said this morning. He said the only way for us-for Christians-to be really happy is to always do what God wants us to do instead of doing what we want." Jan paused. "It doesn't make sense," she added. "How can we be happy if we're always doing things we really don't want to do? I think that would make me miserable, not happy!"

"I agree that if the Christian life were just a matter of forcing ourselves to do unpleasant things, it certainly wouldn't be very enjoyable," said Mom, "but what makes you think you wouldn't want to do what God asks of you?"

Jan shrugged. "Well, if I'm doing what He asks instead of what I want . . . that means I don't really want to do what He tells me to, doesn't it?"

Mom smiled. "Let's think about that," she said. "When you came home from school today, you said you wanted to do something. What was it?"

"Work on my new puzzle," replied Jan.

Mom nodded. "But what did you do instead?"

"I went next door and helped Mrs. Grimes wash windows," replied Jan.

"You've really never liked window washing, so were you miserable doing that?" asked Mom.

Jan shook her head. "No. I really like Mrs. Grimes-she's always so nice. I did it because I was glad to help her, not because I had to." Jan smiled. "She even insisted on paying me when I finished, but she wouldn't have had to do that."

"In other words, you helped her out of love," explained Mom. "That's the real secret of a happy Christian life. If we try to serve God out of a sense of duty, we won't be truly happy. But when we serve Him out of love and gratitude, He gives us joy and contentment. That's what makes the difference!"

Jan nodded thoughtfully. "He loves us and does all kinds of good things for us," she said, "so I know we should trust Him and obey Him." She grinned. "And He 'pays' us, too, doesn't He? He rewards those who serve Him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid God will ask you to do something you don't want to do? When you really don't feel like doing something you know you should do for Him, remember that He loves you and doesn't want to make you unhappy. You'll find that doing His will is the way to be a truly happy Christian instead of a miserable one! Serve Him because you love Him, not just because you have to.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
As we have opportunity let us do good to all. Galatians 6:10

[Soldier4Christ]

 Who Gets the Credit?

"Morgan Graham was in Sunday school today," announced Lindsey with a frown. "What a bummer!"

"A bummer?" asked Mom in surprise. "I think that's great! Why wouldn't you want her to come? Haven't you invited her yourself a few times?"

"That's just the point," said Lindsey. "I've invited her for three years in a row, and she always said no. Then today she shows up with Taylor!"

"Well, the important thing is that Morgan came," observed Mom. "I'm sure Mr. Patterson had a good Bible message, just as he always does." She was interrupted by the doorbell. "That must be Grandma with those flower plants she said she'd bring over."

After Grandma had left, Lindsey and her mother decided to plant the flowers right away. It didn't take them long to change into old clothes and gather the gardening tools. "You know something, honey?" asked Mom as she handed Lindsey a trowel. "These plants remind me of you and Morgan."

"Me and Morgan!" exclaimed Lindsey. "How?"

Mom dug in the dirt as she explained. "Well, Grandma started these plants and nursed them along until they developed healthy roots," she said. "Now we'll back up Grandma's efforts and care for them. And, in a way, you 'started' Morgan-you first invited her to Sunday school. Then Taylor backed up your efforts by inviting her, too. Right?"

"I guess so," said Lindsey, still pouting. "But why couldn't Morgan have come when I invited her?"

Mom shook her head. "I don't know," she said, "but remember, Lindsey, sharing Christ is not a competition. God is using both you and Taylor to reach Morgan." She paused for a moment, then asked, "Do you remember what the Apostle Paul said about himself and a man named Apollos? Which one of them deserved credit for reaching the people of Corinth?"

Lindsey frowned as she thought about it. "Actually . . . neither," she said at last. "They both helped, but God is the one who really deserved the credit."

Mom nodded. "Yes, and that's the way it is with Morgan, too," she said. "You and Taylor-and perhaps several others-are helping to reach her, but it's God who is at work in her heart and life. He's the only one who deserves credit."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you happy when those to whom you've witnessed receive Jesus as Savior-even if they respond when someone else invites them? It's important to work together with others in winning people to Jesus. Witnessing is not a competition where one person wins and another loses. Instead, it's a responsibility Christians share. When anyone comes to Christ, you should rejoice.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6

[Soldier4Christ]

"I need some new jeans, Mom," said Amy when she and her mother were shopping one day.

"Yes, you do," agreed Mom. "Let's go to Conrad's. They have nice things, and they're reasonably priced."

"I don't want to go there! I want one of the name brands that all the kids are wearing, or I don't want them at all!" stormed Amy. "Nobody wears the kind they sell at Conrad's!"

"Somebody must wear them, or they wouldn't be carrying them anymore," said Mom. "I'm sorry, but it's either Conrad's or you'll have to use your own money to buy the name brand you want."

Amy scowled. She didn't want to buy jeans with her own money. But Mom was firm, so Amy reluctantly spent most of her savings to buy the kind she wanted. "The kids all think these are so cool," she reported after she wore them to school.

After the jeans were washed, they didn't look the same. "Mom, what happened to these?" gasped Amy. "Just look at them! They're all limp and baggy-looking! I paid a lot for them. They should have lived up to their name and lasted a long time."

"I agree," said Mom. "I followed the washing instructions carefully, but they just didn't hold up well. Maybe if you take them back to the store, they'll be able to make some adjustment-but I hope you've learned something from this experience."

"Like what?" pouted Amy.

"That things don't always live up to their names," replied Mom. "People don't, either."

"People?" asked Amy. "What do they have to do with this?"

"Those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior are called Christians," Mom explained. "We need to live up to our name and be Christ-like and loving." Amy felt guilty. Just that morning she had whispered unkind things about a classmate who was wearing new jeans-a pair from Conrad's. "It's not always easy," said Mom, "but with God's help we can live up to our 'name brand'-Christian! That's more important than popularity."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What's your name brand? Is it "Christian"? If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, it is. Are you living up to that name? Is your life a credit to the Lord Jesus and to His name?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 11:26)
"And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

[Soldier4Christ]

Natalie put the orange juice in the refrigerator. She tried to close the door, but her baby brother, who had crawled over to her, was in the way. When Natalie nudged him over a few inches, Danny whimpered.

A few minutes later, Natalie opened the door to put the butter away, and Danny scooted over again. "What do you like about the refrigerator?" Natalie asked as she moved him back. "The light?" Danny started to fuss as she closed the door.

Just then Mom entered the room. "Time for your bottle," she said to Danny. She took his bottle out of the refrigerator and walked over to the cupboard. Fussing even more loudly, Danny followed her.

Natalie laughed. "I thought he liked the refrigerator light," she said, "but I guess he wanted his milk."

"I think so," said Mom with a smile. She picked up the baby, and his mouth opened wide as she offered him the bottle.

Natalie grinned. "You know, Mom," she said thoughtfully, "Mrs. Johnson talked about babies and milk in Sunday school a couple of weeks ago. We had to learn a Bible verse about it."

"I think I know just the verse you're talking about," said Mom. "Can you still recite it?"

"Sure," said Natalie. "It's 1 Peter 2:2. 'As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.'"

"Good," said Mom. "I'm afraid we often aren't nearly as eager for God's Word as babies are for their milk. Some days we don't feel like reading the Bible or even hearing anybody explain things from it."

Natalie nodded. "So I guess Danny is giving us an object lesson on how we should feel about the Bible," she said. As she watched her baby brother drinking his bottle, she grinned. "Well, about wanting to read it, anyway-not about wanting to share it," she added. "Mrs. Johnson says we should want to share it with unsaved people, too, but I don't think Danny is interested in sharing his milk with anybody!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read your Bible? Do you enjoy going to church and hearing messages from God's Word? Do you talk about what He says? Just like a baby needs milk to grow physically, you need God's Word to grow spiritually.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:2)
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."

[Soldier4Christ]

Marissa and her friend Julia settled into their seats at the concert hall. "These things are boring," complained Julia. "I wouldn't come if it weren't for the Gold Cup Competition." Both girls were piano students and hoped to win a trophy. To be eligible, they had to play in the fall competition and attend three concerts.

"I can think of things I'd rather do today," agreed Marissa. "Besides, I already attended three concerts."

"Why are you here then?" asked Julia.

"I forgot to sign in at one of them," explained Marissa. "They should take my word that I went, but no! I have to attend this one, too." She leaned back and yawned.

"Why don't we leave?" suggested Julia. "We can go out to the bathroom and just not come back. The monitors will never notice." She stood up. "Lots of kids do that! C'mon," she urged as she saw Marissa hesitate. "You've already attended three concerts, so it's not like you're cheating." That argument sounded convincing, so in spite of her doubts, Marissa walked out with Julia. No one challenged them or even seemed to notice them leaving.

When the telephone rang during dinner that evening, Marissa's Dad answered it. "That was your piano teacher," Dad told her when he returned. "She said the names of students who attended the concert today were entered in a drawing for a prize." He paused as he looked at his daughter. "Marissa, your name was drawn," continued Dad. "You didn't claim your prize, and some kids said they saw you and Julia leave before the concert even started. Is this true?"

"I . . . I . . ." stammered Marissa. "Julia said I wouldn't be cheating since I had already attended three concerts. It's not fair to make me go to four."

"You clearly understood that you were required to attend another concert," said Dad sternly. He shook his head. "Your teacher said she's sorry, but you won't be able to compete for a Gold Cup trophy this fall."

"That's not fair!" wailed Marissa. But she knew it was fair. She was very disappointed, and she was also angry with herself for doing what she knew in her heart she should not have done.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought you could get away with doing wrong things? You may be able to do that for a while, but you can't hide sin forever. God already knows all about it, and He says that you will eventually "reap what you sow." Confess your sin to the Lord, turn from it, and renew your fellowship with Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Numbers 32:23)
"Be sure your sin will find you out."

[Soldier4Christ]

Mitch slammed the door as he came in. "I'm so mad at Ben!" he shouted.

"You don't need to slam the door or shout," Mom said calmly. "Why are you mad at Ben?"

"We were playing a game, and he called me a cheater! He should know I didn't cheat!" said Mitch emphatically. "I'll never forgive him for saying I did." Mom tried to reason with Mitch, but he turned and went to his room.

When Mom went to Mitch's room a little later, he was pulling shoes and toys from under his bed. "What's going on?" asked Mom.

"You know how I've been saving money to buy that new video game? I was counting my money on the bed, and I dropped a quarter," explained Mitch. "I'm going to need every penny to get that game."

"Well, I came to bring you this," said Mom. "It came in the mail for you." She handed him an envelope.

Mitch took the envelope and ripped it open. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "It's a birthday card from Aunt Hannah, and she sent me a check! Now I can buy that video game!" He began to put away the shoes and other things he had pulled from under the bed.

"Wait a minute," said Mom. "Aren't you going to keep searching for the quarter?"

Mitch shook his head. "It's not important now," he said. "Since Aunt Hannah sent me this money, I have more than I need to buy my game."

"I see," said Mom thoughtfully. After a moment she added, "I think your quarrel with Ben is a lot like that quarter."

"What does that mean?" asked Mitch.

"Since Aunt Hannah sent you so much money, it makes the quarter unimportant-it doesn't matter any more," replied Mom. "Since Jesus has forgiven you for so much, it makes your misunderstanding with Ben unimportant." She raised her eyebrows. "Don't you think?"

Mitch looked at his mother for a long moment. "I . . . I guess so," he said finally. "I guess I should talk things out with him. Maybe he has some reason to think I really did cheat."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is it difficult to forgive people when they hurt you? No matter how much they hurt you, Jesus has forgiven you for so much more. He wants you to forgive others like He forgave you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:32)
"Be . . . forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, Aaron! How am I going to get along without you?" wailed Emily when her brother was getting ready to leave home and go to college. "I don't know if I'm a strong enough Christian yet to take all of Dad's laughing and Mom's picking at my faith! I need you to help me!"

Emily and Aaron both loved Jesus, but their parents were not happy about that. Mom and Dad frequently mocked them and made fun of them for believing that the Bible is God's Word. Emily and Aaron often prayed together for their parents.

"Aw, c'mon, Em. You're stronger than you think," encouraged Aaron. "Besides, God will help you. Keep busy with your friends from church-they'll help you, too."

The first days after Aaron left were lonely ones for Emily. When she received a letter from him, she eagerly opened it. "Hi, Em," she read. "Miss me? Well, I hope so because I miss you! I have a nice roommate, and he says that before the year is over, he's going to teach me to make a bed properly. What do you think of that? His mom taught him that the sheets should be pulled so tight and tucked in so perfectly that if he drops a coin on the bed, it will bounce-and he demonstrated it. It works! He says she used to inspect his bed, and if a coin wouldn't bounce, he'd have to make the bed over again.

"Know what, Emily? The bouncing coins made me think of you. It's almost like Mom and Dad are constantly inspecting your Christianity. If the nasty remarks they 'drop' on you bounce right off-in other words, if you don't get nasty in return-you've passed that inspection. And don't forget that when Jesus was mocked, he didn't get angry. He told us to rejoice in persecution, and to pray for those who persecute us.

"Hang in there! I'm still praying for Mom and Dad-and for you. Love you, Aaron."

Emily smiled as she went upstairs to see if she could bounce a coin on her bed. I'll try that every day, she thought. It will remind me to let the cutting remarks of Mom and Dad bounce off!


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you react to cruel remarks? Jesus patiently suffered for you. Are you willing to do as much for Him? If you're teased because you won't fight or take part in worldly activities, ask God to help you know when to let the remarks bounce off. Pass inspection.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matt. 5:11)
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, cool!" exclaimed Derek. He glanced around as he held up a miniature racing car. "I'm gonna take it," he said.

Derek was about to put the little car in his pocket when his brother David pointed to a nearby sign that read, "Someone is watching you."

Derek shrugged. "They just put those signs up to scare kids," he said as he pocketed the toy. He held out another car. "Don't you want one?"

"No," replied David. "It's wrong to steal, and you know it! You better put that back." He turned and walked away. Derek just shrugged and laughed.

As the boys were leaving the store, an employee stopped them. "You'll have to come with me," he told Derek, taking a firm hold on his arm and propelling him toward the manager's office. David watched in dismay and then turned to run home.

"Sit down, young man-I've got something I want you to see," the manager told Derek. He pointed to a TV screen and pressed a button. Derek was surprised to see pictures of himself stealing the toy car. He saw David shaking his head and refusing to take one.

After sternly questioning Derek, the manager picked up the phone. "We'll see what your parents have to say," he said. Derek nervously stared at the floor in shame. He knew he was in big trouble!

When his mother arrived, Derek was too ashamed to look her in the eye. "Since this is the boy's first offense, I'll release him to you," said the manager. Derek was relieved to hear that, but he knew he would be punished at home.

"You thought no one saw you," said Mom sternly as they drove home, "but as you discovered, someone did. The camera caught what you did and what David did, too-it showed the manager both the good and the bad actions." She shook her head. "More importantly, you need to remember that even if the manager hadn't seen you boys, someone always sees-and that's God. He sees the good and the bad actions, and He'll reward or discipline us as we deserve."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes hope nobody sees a bad thing you do? Do you wish somebody would notice when you do something good? Someone-God-always does see. He loves you and wants to reward you for doing the things that please Him. But He must also discipline you when you do wrong. Don't forget-He sees all!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 32:19)
"Thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men."

[Soldier4Christ]

"My homework is done. Can I watch TV now?" asked Alex as he joined his parents in the family room. "What are you watching?"

"A documentary about the Titanic is just about to begin," replied Mom.

"Oh, boring! There must be something better to watch than a dumb old documentary!" protested Alex.

"I think you'll find this one interesting," said Dad. "Do you know what the Titanic is?"

"Sure-it was a big ship. They thought it was unsinkable, but it sank," replied Alex. "Whatever made them think it couldn't sink anyway?"

"Let's watch the program and find out," said Mom.

"Oh, all right," grumbled Alex as he sprawled out on the floor, "but I know it will be boring." Soon, however, he was caught up in the story of the Titanic.

When the program was over, Alex stood up and stretched. "They didn't even have enough lifeboats!" he exclaimed. "Wouldn't you think they'd at least have put more of those on board? I mean . . . when you're out at sea and your ship is sinking, it's too late to get them then! I still can't believe they were so stupid!"

Dad nodded. "It's so easy for us to see how foolish they were, but it occurs to me that many people are just as foolish today. They seem to think they're 'unsinkable,' too."

"You mean they think they have unsinkable boats? Who thinks that?" asked Alex in disbelief.

"I'm not thinking about boats. I'm thinking of people who figure nothing bad will happen to them," said Dad. "They think they have lots of time, so they put off accepting Jesus as Savior. Some say, 'I'll wait till later,' not realizing that they could die at any moment-or that Christ could come any day."

Alex thought about that. "Yeah," he said, "and then it would be too late. They may not have as long as they think to decide to turn to Jesus and be saved. They might be as surprised as the people on board the Titanic!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you putting off accepting Jesus as your Savior? Do you think you have plenty of time? You may be wrong! Trust Jesus as Savior today-before it's too late!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:14)
"What is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

[Soldier4Christ]

As Sergio headed for his Sunday school classroom, he was eager to see his friends once more, but he knew this would be a day of "goodbyes," and he hated that. It was the last day he'd be with this class before he and his family moved to another town.

"Sergio will be moving this week," said Mr. Rogers as the class began, "and we're going to miss him." Mr. Rogers looked around the room. "Do you ever think about the fact that someday all of us will be moving-not just from this town, but from this world?" he asked. "If you know the Lord Jesus as Savior, your final move will take you to live with Him in heaven." He looked from one student to another. "Wouldn't it be great to have a class reunion there? I'll be there, and I wonder-will all of you be there, too?"

It was quiet in the room for a moment, then Sergio spoke up. "I would," he said. "I accepted Jesus as my Savior, so I'll see you again in heaven."

Mr. Rogers smiled and nodded as, one after another, several of the boys said they were trusting in Jesus as Savior and were sure of going to heaven, too.

As they said goodbye at the end of the class period, Sergio didn't feel quite so bad about leaving. I'll see these guys again someday, he thought with a smile. I forgot about that. I'll see Thad and Carlos and Ethan and . . . The smile left his face as the name of another boy came to mind. It was the name of one of his friends at school. Carter, he thought. I don't know if Carter is a Christian. I've never asked him, and after we move, I might never see him again if he's not. I'm going to talk to him about it this week!

Sergio left the class with a new determination to witness to his friends in the remaining week that he would spend at his old school-and in the coming days when he made friends at the new school as well.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel sad and lonely when a friend moves away? Do your friends know Jesus? Will you, like the man in today's Scripture, boldly tell them what Jesus has done for you? If you're both Christians, you can look forward with joy, knowing you'll be together in heaven someday.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 9:25 ")
One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Well, how was your day?" asked Jalyn's mother as they drove away from school. Jalyn groaned. "It couldn't have been that bad!" exclaimed Mom.

"It was," answered Jalyn. "Our band was supposed to perform for the early elementary kids today, but it didn't work out. All that practice for nothing!"

"But I thought you said the other day that your band was getting really good," Mom reminded her, "so isn't your practice paying off?"

"Who cares how good we are if we don't even get to perform!" Jalyn wailed.

"Don't worry. You'll perform some other time," said Mom. "Meanwhile, look outside and see what a nice day it is. The sun is shining and . . ."

"Mom!" Jalyn rolled her eyes. "There's no use trying to make me feel better," she grumbled.

"Honey, just because one thing goes wrong doesn't mean the whole day is ruined," said Mom as they arrived at home. "Forget about the band and enjoy other things. Find something to be thankful for."

Jalyn scowled and went to her room.

"What burned?" asked Jalyn when she came to the kitchen a little before dinner.

Mom wrinkled her nose and handed Jalyn a plate of burned garlic bread. "Here, throw this away." When Jalyn came back with the empty plate, Mom handed her a big bowl of spaghetti. "Here, you might as well throw this out, too," said Mom. Jalyn frowned. She couldn't see anything wrong with the spaghetti. Mom took still another plate from the counter. "And then do the same with this cake." The cake looked delicious.

"What's wrong with these?" asked Jalyn.

"The bread burned, so dinner is ruined," Mom said sadly. She sighed deeply.

Jalyn frowned. "I don't get it," she said.

Mom smiled. "Well, if one thing that goes wrong has to ruin your whole day, I think the same principle would apply to our dinner-in which case, one burned item ruins the whole dinner."

Jalyn grinned ruefully. "l guess you're right," she admitted. "My whole day doesn't have to be ruined."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes have a bad day? The secret to being happy-even on a such a day-is to find things to be thankful for! Above all, you can be thankful that Jesus loves you. Isn't that enough to brighten your day? Think about it, and see how many more things come to your mind.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Thess. 5:18)
In every thing give thanks."

[Soldier4Christ]

Jenny glanced out the living room window. "I can't believe how much time Steve spends on his car!" she exclaimed to her brother. "He's waxing it-again!"

Tim shrugged. "He just bought it and wants to keep it looking nice," he said. Tim and Jenny watched as Steve stood back to view his handiwork and then polished the same spot several times. Tim grinned. "You have to admit that it sure looks good."

Several days later, Tim came into the kitchen where Jenny was doing homework and Dad was having fun with a new recipe. "Hey, did you hear what happened to Steve's car?" asked Tim as he plopped down into a chair. "He burned the engine up-forgot to put oil in it."

Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Even I know that a car needs oil," she said. "What was he thinking?"

Tim shook his head. "Who knows? He spent all his time working on the outside of his car-so now it looks nice but won't run. Steve should have paid less attention to the outside and more to the inside."

Dad nodded. "Good advice for all of us," he said.

The kids gave him a questioning look. "I don't have a car," said Jenny. "Tim doesn't, either."

Dad smiled. "No, but it's good advice for handling our lives," he said. "Think about it, Jenny. How much time do you take to make sure you look just right when you're going somewhere-and Tim, how much time do you spend exercising and working to develop a strong body? Compare that time with the time you spend on your relationship with Jesus."

"Aw, Dad," protested Jenny, "we go to church activities all the time-lots more than most kids."

"That's a good start," said Dad, "but we all need to be sure to apply what we learn to our daily lives. We need to continually be aware that Jesus lives in us and that we must yield to Him."

"But it's not wrong to look good, is it?" asked Jenny.

"No," replied Dad, "but we should remember that the way we look on the outside has to do with our lives here on earth. Our relationship with Jesus has to do with eternity. We should carefully consider how much time we should spend on each area."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you spend a lot of time on outside appearance-your hair, clothes, and exercise? How about on your "heart"-your relationship with Jesus? Think about what you read and learn from God's Word, and apply it to your life each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 16:7)
"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

[Soldier4Christ]

"What's in here-bricks?" joked Uncle Brian, lifting Cody's backpack from the trunk of the car.

Cody shrugged. His mom had suggested that he was packing too much stuff, but Cody hadn't listened. He lifted the pack and settled its weight onto his slender shoulders.

The camping trip was Uncle Brian's idea. Cody's dad, a marine, was serving overseas, and Uncle Brian knew that Cody sorely missed him and sometimes felt scared without his dad at home.

Cody and his uncle started out, but they hadn't gone far before Cody began to tire under the weight of the heavy pack. Soon his shoulders ached so much that he had to stop and rest. "Here," said Uncle Brian. "Give me your pack." Cody would have preferred to carry his own backpack, but it was just too heavy. He reluctantly handed it to his uncle.

Relieved of the extra weight, Cody felt better and began to notice things along the way-the sapphire blue sky, the yellow flowers on a nearby shrub, the chirping of birds overhead. "Thanks, Uncle Brian," he said when they reached their campsite. "I shouldn't have packed so much stuff."

"We all try to carry too much stuff sometimes," said Uncle Brian. "Not just camping equipment, but emotional stuff, too-our cares. Things like worry and fear and responsibility rob us of joy. Do you know that God is willing to carry all of those things for us, just like I carried your backpack for you?"

Cody thought about it. He'd been carrying a lot of emotional stuff lately.

"The thing is," said Uncle Brian, "you took off your backpack and gave it to me-and you have to give your cares to God. Do you understand that?"

Cody nodded. "Sort of," he said. "We learned a verse about that-1 Peter 5:7." Cody quoted the verse.

"Talk to God," encouraged Uncle Brian. "Tell Him all your concerns-your 'cares.' Any time you're troubled, talk to Him again, and quote your verse often. Trust God. Be comforted as you remember that God does care for you."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you feeling scared? Worried about someone who's sick? Concerned about school problems? Do your "cares" keep you from feeling joyful? You can give them all to God in prayer. Ask Him to carry the burden for you, and trust Him to do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:7)
"Casting all your care upon Him (God); for He careth for you."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Uncle Peter's here!" called Kent as his uncle drove into the yard. "He said he was bringing me some coins."

After greeting everyone and visiting for a while, Uncle Peter reached into his briefcase and put a handful coins on the table. "I thought you might like these," he said. "I got most of them in various countries that I visited when I traveled in Europe on business a few years ago."

"Don't you want to keep them?" asked Beth. "You're going to Europe again, aren't you?"

Uncle Peter nodded. "Next winter," he said, "but all the countries use the same kind of money now-they use euros."

Everyone began picking up coins to look at them more closely. "All of these have somebody's picture on one side," observed Beth.

Uncle Peter nodded. "Many countries used to put pictures of their rulers on their coins," he said. He picked up a coin that looked very old. "This old Roman coin has a picture of one of the Caesars. He's not living anymore, but he was alive when the coin was made."

"That reminds me of my Sunday school lesson last week," said Kent. "When people asked if they should give money to Caesar, Jesus asked them whose image was on the coin. They said it was Caesar's, and then Jesus told them they should give Caesar the things that are Caesar's and give God the things that are God's."

"Right," said Uncle Peter, "and if we're to give to God the things that are His, what would that be? What bears God's image?"

"God's image," repeated Kent. "I don't think any coins have that. We don't even know what God looks like."

Beth was almost jumping up and down. "I know what has His image," she said. "People do! The Bible says God created Adam and Eve in His own image-so I guess we should give Him ourselves!"

"Good for you!" exclaimed Uncle Peter. He pointed to the coins. "Whenever you look at your coin collection, it can remind you that you should give your whole heart and life-all you are and all you have-to God."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
God made you in His own image. He created you, and He loves you very much-so much that He sent His only Son to die for you. Have you given everything-including your whole self-to Him?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:1)
"By the mercies of God . . . present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God."