Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Emma and Kaylee wandered from the swimming area at the lake to watch some boys in the water near the pier. There was a sign posted in the water just off the pier. "WARNING! DANGER!" it stated. "SWIFT UNDERTOW! NO SWIMMING!" However, a number of teenage boys were surfing and jumping off the pier.

The girls watched from the beach. "I've heard that the water here is warmer than it is back there at the swimming area," said Emma. "I'm sure it's safe enough if we go in only a little way. After all, those kids don't seem to be bothered by the undertow."

"Yeah," agreed Kaylee. "Let's go."

The girls began jumping about in the waves. They were having fun, and they didn't notice that they were being pulled farther out from shore. Soon they were in much deeper water than they had intended to be.

"Kaylee, something is pulling me," Emma suddenly gasped. "I can't stand up. Help!" Kaylee reached out for Emma, but she was being pulled out by the undertow, too.

The girls' screams alerted a man who was fishing in a boat a little way from shore, and he quickly came to help them. When they were safely back on land, they sat on their towels, trying to calm their racing hearts and shivering bodies.

Emma finally spoke. "Kaylee, what if we had died?" Her voice shook. "We probably would have if someone hadn't helped us."

"I know." Kaylee nodded fearfully. "At least we would have gone to heaven if we hadn't gotten help."

 "That's true," agreed Emma, "but our bodies would have died just the same-all because we didn't obey that sign! Mom is always telling me that rules are made to protect us."

"Yeah," agreed Kaylee, "and my mother adds, 'Break a rule; pay the price of a fool.' I guess she's right." She sighed. "Sometimes there's a very big price to pay."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know that even though God forgives sin, you often still have to suffer some of the consequences of that sin? Don't disobey authority because you think you can confess and be forgiven later. In spite of being forgiven there is sometimes a big price to pay when you sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 107:17)
"Fools . . . because of their iniquities, are afflicted."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Why so quiet, Alexis?" asked Mom when they got home from church one evening.

"Just thinking," replied Alexis. Her pastor had preached about the return of the Lord Jesus, and some of the things he said disturbed her. She knew she was on her way to heaven, but she wondered about some of her friends. Amy acts so good on Sundays, but she cheats and uses bad language at school, thought Alexis. And Kelli doesn't go to church at all-she says she's good enough as she is. There were others who, as far as Alexis knew, had never accepted Jesus as Savior. I should talk to them about it, she thought, but I wouldn't know what to say.

When Alexis finally fell asleep that night, she dreamed that she and her friends were all on a hike through one of the dark and dangerous caves in the area. Alexis had a detailed map that showed exactly where there were dangerous spots and where to go to get out safely. The others started off in many wrong directions as they tried to find the way out, but she didn't share her map or say anything to them.

Alexis dreamed that she looked at the map and then started out by herself. She finally reached the exit and waved to the crowd of people waiting for the group. "Where are the others?" someone asked in concern.

Alexis shrugged. "They were going all kinds of ways," she replied carelessly.

Alexis spotted her pastor in the crowd and went to speak to him. "You knew your friends were going the wrong way," he stated pointedly. "Why didn't you warn them and tell them the right way? Now they will never get out." He looked at her angrily, and Alexis awoke with a start. She sat straight up in bed.

"O-o-o-oh!" breathed Alexis in relief as she realized she had been dreaming. But as she thought about that dream, she felt convicted. In my dream my friends were lost, and in life they're lost, too. she thought. In my dream I didn't share my map and help them find the way out of the cave, and in real life I haven't shared that I know the way to heaven. I'm glad I'll have another chance to tell them that Jesus is the only way.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have friends who think they'll get to heaven by being good, by going to church, or by being baptized? Are there others who are unconcerned about finding the way at all? Take every opportunity to share God's way -His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Warn them that all other ways lead to eternal death.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ezekiel 3:17)
"Give them warning from Me (God)."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Here comes the mailman," called Grace. She had been watching at the window, hoping for a letter from a friend, and she hurried out to get the mail. As she pulled letters and pamphlets from the mailbox, a small catalog caught her eye. She began to leaf through it as she went back into the house.

"A wish book," said Mom, glancing at the catalog Grace was holding.

"A wish book?" Grace repeated. "Why do you call it that?"

Mom smiled. "Because as you look at the pictures, you wish you had this or you wish you had that," she replied. "There are lots of things you'd like to have, but usually you don't really need them."

Grace sat down on the couch, and Mom came and sat beside her. For a few minutes they turned the pages of the catalog in silence. "Sometimes we get things all mixed up and think our wishes are really needs," said Mom thoughtfully. "We even get upset when we ask God to give something to us, and then nothing happens. God has promised to supply all that we need, but He hasn't promised to supply all that we want and wish for."

Grace thought about that as she turned the pages of the catalog. She pointed to a picture of a girl riding a horse. "I wish I had that saddle," she told Mom mischievously. "It would look so nice on the horse I wish I had." She grinned, then laughed out loud as she watched her mother's face.

Mom laughed, too. "Okay, my dear. Go on wishing," she said. "Just don't take those wishes seriously or get so wrapped up in them that you think they're needs-or that you think God should supply them for you. Be content with what God has already given you."

Grace nodded. "Don't worry, Mom," she said. "I know God really will supply everything I need."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes get wishes and needs mixed up? Do you wish for a bike? A toy? More money? Ask God to help you know what things are selfish wishes and what are things you really need. He may give you some of the things you want, and you can always count on Him to supply all your needs.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:19)
"God shall supply all your need."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Ameera, I'm going to the store," said Mom one afternoon. "While I'm gone, I'd like you to clean your room."

"Okay," agreed Ameera. She sat on the edge of her bed and looked around. It shouldn't take too long to get this done, she thought. She got up and began to straighten the things in her closet.

As she was working, Ameera heard a knock on the back door. She was standing on a chair, straightening things on the closet shelves, so she didn't bother to answer it. A moment later there was a louder knock. It's probably the little kids next door, she thought. I wish they wouldn't always bother me. Ameera finished the closet shelf and then picked up a dustcloth and began to dust her dresser. The knocking continued for a little while, but she ignored it.

When Mom returned from the store, she seemed surprised to see Ameera. "Didn't Aunt Rachel stop by for you?" she asked. "I saw her at the grocery store. She was just leaving and was on the way to Grandpa's farm. She asked if it would be all right if she picked you up and took you along. I was sure you would want to go, and I told her it would be okay."

"Aunt Rachel!" cried Ameera. "That's who I heard knocking! I love to play on the farm-I want to go with her! "

"It's too late now," said Mom, "but why didn't you answer her knock?"

"I . . . I thought it was the neighbor kids," said Ameera. "Oh, if only I had gone to the door!"

"I'm sorry you didn't, honey," said Mom, "but come see the new puzzle I bought at the store. You can start working on it if your room is finished."

As Ameera opened the puzzle box, Mom smiled at her. "Do you remember the verse about Jesus knocking at your heart's door and asking to be let in?" asked Mom.

Ameera nodded. "I'm glad I didn't ignore Him," she said. "I'm glad I let Him into my life. Everybody should do that before it's too late for them."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Jesus is knocking at your heart's door, too. He wants to come in to be your Savior. Don't ignore Him. Someday it will be too late to let Him in. Invite Jesus into your life-trust Him as Savior right now. (See page 72.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Revelation 3:20)
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man   . . . open the door, I will come in."

[Soldier4Christ]

The Unseen Power

"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16: 12-13 (NIV)

I have something pretty amazing to show you this morning. I am going to move this little car from this spot on this card over to this spot on the card without ever touching it. I'm not going to tip the card to make it slide over there either. In fact, I want a couple of you to hold this card for me so that you won't think I am tipping the card. Okay, are you ready for this amazing feat? (Place the magnet under the card where the small metal object is and move it to the point where you want it on the card.)

Wow! That was pretty amazing, wasn't it? How did I do that? Oh, I can't fool you. I used a magnet, didn't I? Most of you know about the power of a magnet and you know the effect that it has on metal objects. You couldn't see the magnet, but you knew that it was there because you could see the power of the magnet working on this metal car, guiding it across the card.

Did you know that we can have a power within us that will guide us in our life just like the magnet guided this car across the card? That power comes from the Holy Spirit. When Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave the earth and return to Heaven, he called his disciples together to teach them about what they could expect when he was gone. He told them that when he left, the Holy Spirit would come to be their guide. When we decide to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into our life. We can't see him, but we know that he is there because we can feel his power and see him working in our life. Just like we could see the power of the magnet guiding this metal car, we can see the Holy Spirit guiding us in our daily life and leading us to the place God wants us to be.

If I hold the magnet way over here, it doesn't have any effect on the car, does it? The car has to be close to the magnet before it feels the effects of its power. You and I have to stay close to God before the power of His Holy Spirit can work in our lives. The closer we are to God, the more we feel the power of the Holy Spirit working in our life. Let's pray and thank God for sending the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to guide us in the way you want us to go. Help us to stay close to you, so that we can feel the power of your Holy Spirit in our life. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Right Fit

Kara hung up the phone and went into the den where her parents were working on a puzzle. "That was Cindy Larson," Kara announced glumly. "She called to tell me she has a job for the summer-babysitting the Preston kids two afternoons every week."

Mom looked puzzled. "You don't sound very happy about that," she said. "It seems to me that it's a nice opportunity for Cindy. The Preston children are well behaved, and she'll probably enjoy the extra money."

"But I'd heard that Mrs. Preston wanted somebody to babysit, and I was going to ask her about it this weekend," grumbled Kara. "I should have told Cindy I wanted it." She paused, then her face brightened. "I bet if I call her back and tell her how much I wanted the job, she'll let me have it," said Kara. "After all, I've done plenty of things for her."

"I think you ought to let the matter drop," said Mom. "Just be happy for your friend and pray about finding some other work for yourself."

"But why wouldn't God want me to have this job?" whined Kara. Then she glanced at her father curiously. He had picked up a puzzle piece and had gotten out his pocket knife. He seemed to be considering cutting the piece of puzzle. "Dad, what are you doing?" Kara asked.

"I tried to fit this puzzle piece into this empty spot," explained Dad, pointing to the puzzle. "It won't go in, but if I cut off this little bump here, maybe I can make it fit."

"Dad!" protested Kara. "You know that won't work. Besides, you need that piece someplace else in the puzzle."

Mom laughed. "I think I know what your father is trying to say, Kara. That puzzle piece represents you."

"Right," said Dad. "Trying to jam this piece into a place where it doesn't fit is like you trying to get your own way about that job. Even if you succeeded, it wouldn't be a 'good fit' because you would know you had done the wrong thing. And you'd miss whatever it is that God has planned for you.."

"Well, I . . ." Kara sighed. "I know you're right," she admitted. She grinned as she added, "You sure use funny ways to teach me things!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How patient are you when things don't go the way you want? Do you remember that God is in control, and He knows what's best for you? Trust Him. Don't insist on your own way. Don't get upset and pout when you don't get it. Be patient and wait for God's plan. He can to use even what seems unpleasant to bring you blessing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
My soul waits for the Lord. Psalm 130:6

[Soldier4Christ]

 Too Puffed Up

"I was sure I'd win the Bible quiz last night," said Gayle with a sigh as she and Kristen helped decorate for a church party. "Now Ashley will go to the state contest instead of me. And she'll be honored at the party tonight."

"I know you're smarter than she is," replied Kristen. "What happened?"

Miss Reily approached and held out crepe streamers. "You girls can hang these while I blow up balloons," she said. "Then we'll be ready for the party. Tell me about the quiz competition while we work. I couldn't attend last night."

"Didn't you hear? I was just awful," said Gayle as she fastened streamers to the ceiling. "I couldn't remember the answers, and I misquoted Bible verses."

"But she's smarter than Ashley," said Kristen loyally.

"Sure I am." Gayle nodded confidently. "I can't figure out what went wrong."

"How much time did you spend studying for the contest?" asked Miss Reily.

"I don't need to study much," replied Gayle, "because I know the Bible so well."

Miss Reily frowned. "Did you pray about the quiz?" she asked.

"Pray? Well . . . not very much." Gayle was a little embarrassed.

"Last week Ashley told me she was studying a great deal and was asking the Lord to help her do well," said Miss Reily. She blew hard on a balloon, and suddenly . . . BANG! It burst!

The girls laughed. "I guess you didn't notice how big that balloon was getting," said Gayle as she helped pick up all the little pieces. "I thought that might happen."

"And you were right," said Miss Reily. "You know, Gayle, last night you may have been like this balloon. It was 'puffed up' with air. Do you think maybe you were too 'puffed up' with pride?"

Gayle frowned. "Puffed up with pride? What do you mean?" she asked.

 "You said you didn't need to study-you thought you were very smart and knew the Bible so well," Miss Reily reminded her. "Ashley knew she had to depend on the Lord. Maybe that's what the difference was between the two of you." Gayle didn't know quite what to say. "Another time you may want to study more and depend on the Lord instead of yourself," suggested Miss Reily. "But be sure to do it for His glory, not your own."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you're very smart? Or very good at some particular thing? You're probably right-God does give everyone special abilities. But do you think you're so smart or so good at something that you don't need help from anybody-not even the Lord? Have you ever been totally embarrassed when you thought you should do well at something? Could pride be the trouble? Humbly depend on the Lord and use the talents He's given you for His glory, not your own.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

[Soldier4Christ]

"But, Mom," grumbled Marc, "I'm tired of doing homework! It takes so long that I never get to play." He stared out the window and watched his sister Renee put bird seed into the feeder.

"Schoolwork is more important than playing right now, honey," replied Mom. Marc sighed. To get good grades, he had to work so much harder than Renee. It didn't seem fair, but he reluctantly turned back to his homework. "The sooner you get at it, the sooner you'll be able to play," added Mom.

As they ate dinner that evening, Renee talked about the birds that had come to the bird feeder. "I almost touched one today, but then it flew away," she said. "I wish they'd let me catch them. They seem to think I'm their enemy." She shook her head. "They should know I'm their friend. After all, I feed them."

Dad smiled. "Well, we don't always recognize our friends, either," he said thoughtfully.

Marc grinned. "I do," he said as he reached for a roll. "Mom feeds me, and I recognize her."

Dad laughed. "How about trials-difficulties and things that try your patience?" asked Dad. "Do you think of them as enemies or as friends?"

Marc's homework came to his mind, and he frowned. "Enemies," he said promptly. "Homework is a trial for me, and it's definitely not a friend!"

"Don't be so sure," said Mom. "For one thing, I know it's teaching you to work hard. No doubt it also makes you more sympathetic toward others who have the same problem. So that trial is actually your friend because it has helped you."

"What about Aunt Alice's illness?" asked Renee.

"That's a very hard trial for sure," Mom answered slowly, "but Aunt Alice told me that since she got sick, she's learned to trust God more. That's a good thing."

After a moment Marc nodded. "Okay," he said reluctantly, "I'll try to remember all this when I do my homework tomorrow." Grinning, he added, "I don't want to be like those birds and not recognize my friends."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you going through a time of trial? You may not realize it, but God works good things into your life through trials. Accept difficult things as friends, and ask God to show you what it is He wants you to learn through them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 1:2)
"Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."

[Soldier4Christ]

Koby was the smartest boy in his Sunday school class, and everyone knew it-especially Koby! "How come you didn't get all the answers to the questions in the lesson?" he sneered at Peter just as Mr. Townsend entered the classroom one day. "They were so easy I could have done them in my sleep."

But Koby wasn't the only one who bragged. After the lesson about Samson, Andrew stood up, flexed his muscles, and said, "I bet I'm as strong as Samson." All the boys had seen Andrew in a fight-and to them, he seemed very, very strong.

As Mr. Townsend picked up an offering plate, Ben reached into his pocket. "Look what Dad gave me for the offering today," he said, waving a five dollar bill. "I bet none of you has this much to put in." He grinned. "We're rich!" he added proudly.

Mr. Townsend finished taking the offering, and then he set his lesson book aside. "Turn in your Bibles to Jeremiah 9:23 and 24," he said. (See today's Scripture.) "Read these verses silently three times. Ask the Lord to speak to you if you have an attitude that doesn't please Him." The classroom was quiet for a while. "Does anybody want to comment on these verses?" asked Mr. Townsend.

"We're not supposed to brag like some people in this class were doing," said Peter emphatically as he looked directly at the boys who had been bragging.

"Yeah," agreed Tristan. "Andrew shouldn't brag about his strength. And Ben shouldn't be proud just because his family has a little money."

"Right! And Koby shouldn't be proud of good grades," declared Peter with a scowl. Then he added, "I'm glad I don't brag like that."

"Whoa! Watch it! Be sure you're not proud of your humility!" warned Mr. Townsend. He closed his Bible. "Let's talk to the Lord and ask Him to help us with our attitudes."

Peter looked a little startled as Mr. Townsend led the boys in prayer, asking God to help them glory only in knowing Him!


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you proud? Do you brag about what you have or can do? Ask God to forgive you for bragging about your own accomplishments and to help you to glory-or boast-only in Him. Then others can be happy with you as you remember together how good God is.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 9:24)
"But let him that glorieth glory in this . . . that I am the Lord."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Will I really get all covered with black soot?" asked Jake excitedly. Uncle Robert nodded and Jake grinned. He was spending a week with his aunt and uncle. Uncle Robert was a coal miner, and he had gotten permission to take Jake down into the mines with him.

As they drove along, Uncle Robert whistled, then hummed, and finally began to sing. He sang a song Jake had never heard before. "The future dark before us lies; the path is hidden from our eyes; and Jesus leads while faith He tries, just one step at a time!" The chorus repeated the phrase "just one step at a time" twice, then said, "That's the way He leads to glory-just one step at a time." The tune was a catchy one, and Jake found himself humming, too.

When they reached the mine, Jake was given a hat with a light on it. Then he and all the men descended by elevator deep into the earth. Jake had never been any place where it was so dark as down in that mine! "Without the light on your hat, you wouldn't be able to see your hand in front of your face," Uncle Robert told him. Jake nodded, but after taking a few steps, he stumbled. Uncle Robert helped him regain his balance and then gave him some advice. "Jake," he said, "you'll never be able to walk in the mine if you try to look far ahead of you. The lamp on your hat will guide you if you let it, but it lights your way just a step or two at a time." With a little practice, Jake was able to walk confidently.

On the way home that afternoon, Jake talked excitedly about how dark it was in the mine and how he had to learn to walk in the light. Uncle Robert smiled. "You know-mining is like living for God," he said. "Jesus doesn't usually show us very far in advance what He wants us to be doing. He wants us to take 'just one step at a time' for Him."

"Like your song said-the one you were singing this morning," said Jake. Uncle Robert nodded and began to sing. As the two dirty miners pulled into the yard, they both were singing loudly, "That's the way He leads to glory-just one step at a time."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder what you'll do for a living? Whom you'll marry? How long you'll live? You don't need to know all that right now. Walk in the light of what God has revealed in His Word-that is, obey Him. Then trust Him for the future, just "one step at a time."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 3:6)
"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

[Soldier4Christ]

Kadie was busily working on her science report-writing about the effects of becoming addicted to things. "What are some things that people can become addicted to, Dad?" Kadie asked. "All I've come up with so far is alcohol and cigarettes and drugs-like cocaine or marijuana."

Dad looked up from his paper. "You might mention that lots of addictive drugs are found in medicines," suggested Dad, "and they can cause us to be addicted, too. After I was hurt in an accident years ago, I was given a lot of morphine as a pain killer. I became addicted and had withdrawal pains when they quit giving me the drug."

"Really? Wow! That will be good to include in my report," Kadie said. "Can you think of anything else that can make us addicted?"

"Well, sometimes people become addicted to caffeine in soda pop or coffee," said Dad. "It's a less serious problem, but it's something we should watch out for."

Kadie nodded. "I forgot about that," she said. "I remember that my teacher said she used to get nervous if she didn't get a soda every morning. She said it was hard to break that habit."

"Are you going to say anything about the good things a person can get addicted to?" asked Dad.

Kadie was surprised. "Good things? What do you mean?" she asked. "I didn't know addiction was ever good!"

Dad grinned. "First Corinthians 16:15 says the people in the house of Stephanas 'addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,'" he said. "Or as some versions say, they 'devoted themselves to the service of the saints.' They served the Lord and others as if they were addicted to it. It would be good to be addicted like they were, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah . . . that would be good," agreed Kadie, "and it makes sense that if people can become addicted to bad things by using them over and over, they can become addicted to good things, too! I'll have to include some good things in my report-I bet that will surprise my teacher!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are you addicted or devoted to? Is it something good-like spending time with God or like being cheerful, helpful, and kind? To "addict oneself" indicates a deliberate act. Will you addict yourself to doing good for others and for God?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (I Cor. 16:15)
"Ye know . . . that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints."

[Soldier4Christ]

Carrying the last bags of groceries, Lisa staggered into the community food pantry. Her youth group had washed cars all day in exchange for food donations. As she put away the canned goods, she was pleased to see the large amount of food on the shelves. "No one will go hungry now," she told her friend Mandy as they joined the group for the ride back to church.

When Lisa got home, she found Mom in the kitchen. "You should see all the food we collected," said Lisa happily. "It's like our pantry at home when you've found a lot of different foods on sale."

Mom smiled. "Collecting that food was a worthwhile thing to do. I'm glad you spent time on that," she said. "And I'm glad you appreciate the food in our pantry, too." Mom gave Lisa's shoulder a friendly squeeze. "I'm thinking of all the good food in our pantry," added Mom. "What would happen if we were glad we had food in the pantry, but never ate it?"

Lisa laughed. "We'd all get very hungry," she said, "but that would never happen. We all like food too much!"

Mom smiled. "Yes, we do," she agreed, "and that's okay because our bodies need food for them to grow and remain strong. We need physical nourishment. The thing is . . . I'm wondering if we remember that we need spiritual nourishment, too. The Bible is like the food in our pantry. It's loaded with spiritual food. We can enjoy knowing that God's Word is there for us, but if we never 'eat' it-that is, read and study it-it can't feed us."

Lisa nodded. "That should never happen, either, should it?" she said. "We should like spiritual food too much to let that happen, right?"

"Right," agreed Mom. "Physical food is important, but let's be sure to remember that spiritual food is important, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you busy with many activities in church and school? Do you also make time for daily Bible study? Both physical and spiritual nourishment are important. Read at the Bible each day and think about what God says. Ask Him to teach you from His Word.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 4:4)
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word . . . of God."

[Soldier4Christ]

Arath whistled for his dog. "Come on, Thumper," he said. "Let's do a little exploring." Thumper joyfully came running, and the two were off to explore a wooded area near their home.

It was late in the fall. The ground was covered with a thick matting of leaves, and in some places the leaves were covered with a fresh blanket of newly fallen snow. "Look, Thumper," called Arath. "Let's follow these animal tracks." They followed the tracks deep into the woods before they lost them. "We'd better go back," said Arath. "We've never been this far in the woods before."

Arath was enjoying himself as they headed back home, when suddenly . . . CRASH! He stumbled over a tree root and fell headlong into a very deep, narrow depression in the ground. I wonder if somebody tried to dig a well here, he thought as he quickly got up, brushed himself off, and tried to climb up the steep sides of the pit. He fell back to the bottom again and again. Thumper stood at the top, looking anxiously down at his master. I can't get out of here, thought Arath. I need help! "Thumper!" he called. "Go get help!" Thumper just whined. "Go home!" ordered Arath. He was relieved when Thumper finally ran off.

Arath kept trying, but he could not get out of that pit. It was getting dark, and he began to feel frightened. "Help!" he called at the top of his lungs. He thought he heard voices in the distance! "Help!" he yelled again and again. Soon a face appeared over the edge of the pit. "Dad!" exclaimed Arath. "Am I ever glad to see you!"

"When Thumper came home without you, we figured you needed help," said Dad.

"Good dog, Thumper!" exclaimed Arath when he saw that Thumper was there, too.

Several days later, Arath learned a verse from the Psalms about being taken up out of a pit. "Hey, I can understand this verse," he said. "It sounds like me!"

Dad nodded. "It's a good description of people who trust in Jesus," he said. "People can't save themselves from the pit of sin even though they try again and again. You had to be rescued, and they need to be rescued, too-by the Lord Jesus!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you can save yourself from the pit of sin? The Bible says you must be saved by faith in Christ, not by your own good works! Being "good," going to church, giving money-neither these nor any other so-called "good" thing can save you. Stop trying and start trusting in Jesus. You need Him to rescue you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 40:2)
"He brought me up also out of a horrible pit."

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm sick of being ordered around!" grumbled Brad as he put his bike away. "Someone's always telling me it's time to get up, time to catch the bus, time for the bell, time to do something! Just once I'd like to do what I want to do when I want to do it."

Dad looked up from his tool bench. "Just for fun, let's imagine we just woke up this morning and can do anything we want-everyone can," he said. "What will you do, Brad?"

"I'll spend the day at the zoo," Brad replied instantly.

"How will you get there?" Dad wanted to know.

"You'll take me," Brad replied.

Dad scratched his chin. "Well, maybe-but I don't have to do anything I don't want to do."

"Aw-w-w, you want to go to the zoo, too, don't you?" pleaded Brad.

"Okay," agreed Dad, "so we'll get in the car and start for the zoo. I'm not sure we'll get there. There are no rules, remember? No traffic laws. Everyone drives like he wants to-that is, until he runs into someone."

"Oh." Brad whistled. "Well, we can't do away with the traffic laws then."

"So we keep the traffic laws," Dad conceded. "We arrive at the zoo safe and sound, but we can't get in."

Brad looked startled. "Why not?" he asked.

"No schedules-so the gate attendant decided to sleep late," Dad explained. "There's not much sense going to the zoo anyway. No one has shown up for work, so there's no popcorn or Cokes, no train rides or seal shows."

Brad sighed. "I know what you're saying-that if we didn't have rules and schedules, we'd just have confusion, right?"

"Right!" agreed Dad. "When God created this world, He organized everything. The universe is run by laws and is on a schedule-even the sun has a schedule to keep." Dad looked at his watch. "According to my schedule, it's about time for lunch. How about a hamburger and a hot fudge sundae?"

Brad let out a whoop and ran for the car. "Guess all schedules aren't bad," he said with a grin.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you complain about having to do things "on schedule"? When you wish you could just put things off, remember that God does things in an orderly manner. Working with family and friends in an organized way will make life much smoother for you, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 8:5)
"A wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment."

[Soldier4Christ]

"My finger's bleedin' again, Mommy!" Jason cried as he ran into the kitchen.

Mom sighed and handed him a tissue. Jason wrapped it around his finger and watched, fascinated, as the red stain grew. "Jason, you need to leave that cut alone," Mom scolded. "I wish . . ." Just then the kitchen door slammed, drowning out the rest of her words. Stacy stomped into the room and threw her books on the table.

"Look, Stacy!" Jason held his finger in front of his big sister's face. "My finger's bleedin' again."

"You won't get any sympathy from me," grumbled Stacy. "Stop picking it or it will take forever to heal, and it will leave a scar!" Jason's face screwed into its "cry" position. "And don't start crying, either," added Stacy. She glared at her little brother, then turned to her mother. "Last week Jodi ignored me, and this week she wants me to be her friend," complained Stacy. "She thinks she can have it both ways, and I don't like that!"

Mom frowned. "Well, she did apologize for not inviting you to her slumber party, didn't she?" asked Mom. "As I recall, she wanted you to come but thought we were going to Grandma's. You had told her that earlier."

Stacy shrugged. "I meant the next weekend! If she had really wanted me to come, she would have asked me. But did she ask? Oh, no! I don't think she wanted me to come at all."

"That's not fair." Mom looked straight into her daughter's eyes. "You need to stop picking the sore, Stacy, or it will leave a scar that will mar your friendship forever."

"B-but I . . . I don't know wh-wh-what you . . ." stammered Stacy. She paused and looked at her toes. She sighed. "I do know what you mean, Mom," she finally admitted. "I've been acting just like Jason."

"You cut your finger, Stacy?" asked Jason.

Stacy grinned. "No, but my feelings were hurt."

Jason unwrapped the tissue from his finger. "Look, Mommy. It's stopped bleedin'. Has your sore feelings stopped bleedin', Stacy?"

Smiling at her brother, Stacy nodded.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone wounded your feelings or hurt your pride? Are you "picking the sore"-refusing to forgive and forget? God tells His children to forgive. Stop thinking about your hurt, and let it heal.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Colossians 3:13)
"If any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."