Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"You're unusually quiet this evening, Rebecca. Is something bothering you?" asked Mom.

"Oh, Mom, I just can't do it," Rebecca choked out. "I've tried and tried to act like a Christian, and I simply can't. I . . . I told a lie today-and last week I lost my temper. Christians don't tell lies or lose their tempers, either." She sighed. "I might as well give up!"

Mom frowned. "Rebecca, you aren't a Christian because you don't tell lies and don't lose your temper," she said gently. "You're a Christian because you trust in Jesus and have been born again. The Spirit of Christ in you makes you a Christian. If you fail to depend on Him and you lose a battle, renew your commitment to the Lord. Living the Christian life is a growing process."

"Well, I can't do it," Rebecca declared stubbornly. "I'm just a big flop!" Instead of arguing the point as Rebecca had expected her to do, Mom called Dad for dinner.

After Dad gave thanks for the food, Rebecca watched in surprise as her mother took huge helpings of potatoes and gravy and various other foods. "Mother!" gasped Rebecca. "I thought you were on a diet." Rebecca had been so proud of her mother as she had lost pound after pound.

"I was," Mom responded as she buttered a large roll, "but today I ate a piece of cake. I cheated on my diet." She sighed. "Last week I had a dip of ice cream. Dieting is too hard! I just can't do it! I might as well give up."

"But, Mom, you were doing so well! You look so much better," Rebecca protested.

Mom shook her head. "But I can't do it. I've tried and tried, and I'm tired of trying. I'm just a big flop."

"No, you're not, Mom. You . . ." Rebecca's mouth fell open as she realized her mother had used the same expression she, herself, had used earlier. She stared at her mother for several seconds, then grinned. "Okay, I get the point. You're not a flop because you cheated on your diet, and I'm not a flop because I told a lie."

"Right!" agreed Mom, pushing her plate away. "We both lost a battle, but we haven't lost the war.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been tempted to quit living for Jesus because you so often do something wrong? If you lose a battle with sin, recommit your life to God. Turn to Him when you're faced with temptation. Recognize that  with His help victory over Satan and temptation is a sure thing!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Timothy 6:12)
"Fight the good fight of the faith."

[Soldier4Christ]

Jaden and Nicole discussed their Kids' Club lesson as they waited for dinner to be ready. "I believe in God as much as you do," Jaden declared, "but if He were everywhere, we would see Him. We can't see Him because He's not here. He's up in heaven. He can hear and see us because He's God, but we can't hear and see Him."

"He's here just the same," insisted Nicole. "Like Mr. Malloy said, He's onima . . . omin . . . om . . ."

"Omnipresent." Dad helped with the big word. "Sounds like you had a good lesson. But I see that you don't agree with each other."

"I think too scientifically to believe that God is everywhere at once," Jaden said smugly. He changed the subject. "Can we listen to our school basketball game tonight? It's going to be on the radio."

"Sure." Dad smiled. "But tell me, Mr. Science . . . what makes it possible to hear people on the radio? We can't see them."

Jaden grinned. He loved science. "No, not unless they're on TV," he agreed. "See . . . there are sound waves in the air-picture waves, too-and they . . ."

"You don't mean right here in this room, do you?" interrupted Dad, waving his arms around. "I can't see or feel any. They're inside the radio and TV sets, right?"

"Nope, they're all around you," stated Jaden firmly.

"Well, maybe, but . . . I'll bet Theo, next door, wants to hear the game, too. If we listen to it, we'll be using up those sound waves, and he won't be able to listen."

Jaden laughed. "Theo can listen, too," he said. "You know that! Those same sound waves are over there."

"Just like God!" exclaimed Nicole. "He's here, and next door, and everywhere all at once!" Dad nodded and grinned.

Jaden looked startled. Maybe a scientific mind can believe in the onima. . .ominen. . .can believe that God is everywhere after all! he thought.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find it hard to understand that God is everywhere at once-that He's omnipresent? This is part of His greatness. You cannot escape Him. He is there when you tell a lie; He is with you when you're afraid or lonely; He is present when you're helping someone. What a great God!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Jeremiah 23:24)
"Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hey, Maggie!" called Kent from the living room. "Did you see this news article about the man who was killed when his car skidded off a bridge? Here's a picture. It's pretty gruesome."

"Oh-h-h-h! Let me see," said Maggie. "Yuck! Do you think that's blood on the ground?"

Mom frowned. "You sound as if seeing someone hurt is a pleasant thing," she said.

Maggie shrugged. "Let's go watch television, Kent," she suggested. "There's this movie on tonight . . . some of the kids at school saw it, and they said a shark attacks a guy and makes a mess of him."

"Sounds good," said Kent, "but I want to watch boxing. The guys at school said that a boxer got a cut over his eye last week. I guess he was a real mess, too, when the other guy got done with him." He grinned broadly.

Dad spoke up. "We won't be watching either one of those programs." He frowned. "Why would you want to see that kind of thing?" he asked. "What's so enjoyable about injury and suffering?"

"Oh, Dad," said Kent with a scowl, "why take it so seriously? After all, these things happen every day."

Dad nodded. "That's true. Because of Adam's sin, sickness and injury and death are part of life. But they're not happy or good things, and it's wrong to take pleasure in thinking about them."

Mom nodded. "Have you kids heard how Christians were persecuted in ancient Rome?" she asked. "A popular form of entertainment was watching them being thrown to the lions." She shook her head. "You kids remind me of the Roman spectators-the people who watched. Their hearts became so hardened that they were fascinated by suffering instead of hating it."

Maggie was horrified. "Mom!" she exclaimed. "That would be gross! We wouldn't want to see that!"

"Is what you enjoy so different?" asked Dad. "You seem to like watching people suffer-both in pretend situations and in real life. Instead of enjoying the pain of others, we should pray for them and do all we can to help them."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you seen so much violence and suffering on TV or in movies that it doesn't bother you-or that you even enjoy it? Watching people suffer should not be fun. God wants you to respond to the suffering of others with kindness and compassion.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 3:
"Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another."

[Soldier4Christ]

As the school bus groaned its way over bumpy roads, Hafsah sat deep in thought. "You're awfully quiet," said her friend Erin. Hafsah just smiled.

At home Hafsah hurried to her room to change her clothes. She opened her notebook and read a note her friend Jennifer had given her. Jennifer wanted her to come and stay overnight on Friday, and Hafsah really wanted to go. The problem was that she had already promised to go shopping with Erin on Friday night. Hafsah sighed. Oh, why did we make plans for Friday night, anyway? I'll ask Mom what I should do?

Hafsah bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Mom, I have a problem," she said. "I promised to go to the shopping mall with Erin on Friday evening-I asked you about that, remember? Well, today Jennifer asked me to sleep over at her house on the same night!"

"Didn't you tell her you couldn't come?" asked Mom.

Hafsah shook her head. "We always have so much fun at Jennifer's house, but I've never spent the night there and I'd like to go," she said. Mom frowned, and Hafsah hurried on. "Erin wouldn't even have to know. I could tell her I don't feel well or something."

"That would be a lie," said Mom.

"But it wouldn't be so bad, would it?" persisted Hafsah. "Just one little lie?"

Mom pointed to some dirty dishes in the sink. "I'm going to run some nice clean water and wash those," she said. "When I'm finished, would you care to drink the water?"

"Of course not," said Hafsah, puzzled.

"How about a drink of the water after I use it to wash just one small plate?" asked Mom.

"No!" said Hafsah. "What are you getting at?"

"Well," said Mom, "washing just one small, dirty dish might be like telling a 'little' lie. They both seem like small things, but both make a difference. Washing the plate changes the water, and telling a lie changes your life and your fellowship with God. He hates lying."

"Yes, but . . . but . . ." Hafsah sighed. She knew it was no use. She would never convince her mother-or herself, for that matter-that telling a lie was okay.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think telling a lie just once won't hurt anything? Sometimes it may even seem easier to tell a lie than to tell the truth. But remember, each time you tell a lie it makes a difference to you spiritually. God hates lying. He will bless you for being truthful!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 8:7)
"For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look at that fat panda bear!" exclaimed Mia. "See how he waddles. Doesn't he remind you of someone?"

Sam laughed. "Yeah-old Mrs. Thompkins!" he said as they moved on. He pointed to a billy goat with a long beard. "Is that Mr. Benjamin from church? He forgot to shave again."

Mia laughed merrily as they approached another area and stopped to look at a wide-eyed owl. "What do you know!" she exclaimed. "Here's our music teacher from school. You know how she looks with those big, thick glasses on. Oh! And look how those geese strut around with their noses in the air-just like Alice Hayes. She thinks she's the greatest." Sam laughed and nodded.

Mom frowned. "Here's an animal that reminds me of someone," she said, pointing to a large, ugly bird in a cage. "A vulture. It's a bird that doesn't attack strong, healthy animals. It preys only on those that are sick or injured. It reminds me of people who like to point out the faults and flaws of others and criticize them." She looked at the children sternly, and Mia blushed as she and her brother exchanged glances. "You've both been picking on a lot of people," added Mom, "and I have a feeling that you're not doing it in a spirit of love."

"But . . . we don't mean any harm," protested Sam. "We don't dislike those people or anything."

Mia nodded. "It's just kinda fun to see who the animals remind us of," she added.

"Then how about finding animal qualities that people would like to have pointed out in them," said Mom.

"Okay," agreed Mia. "I see some already." She pointed toward some doves. "I think those birds are like you, Mom," she said. "They're nice and gentle-they're used as a symbol of peace, aren't they? I guess we should all try to be more like them."

Sam grinned. "And how about the parrot in this cage? It reminds me of Mom, too," he said. "It's very pretty!" He grinned at his mother. "See . . . it's not all bad to be like the animals," he said.

Mom laughed. "Okay," she agreed, "but maybe we'd better get out of this zoo before someone tries to put me in a cage!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you enjoy making fun of others? Make sure you're not hurting someone's feelings by doing so. Make sure you're not displeasing God in what you say. Don't be disrespectful-and remember that you have faults, too!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 11:17)
"The merciful man doeth good to his own soul, but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh."

[Soldier4Christ]

Ryan and his friend Mike stopped for a snack at an outdoor concession stand. Ryan ordered a hot dog with mustard and relish, but when he got it, he was disappointed. "This thing is cold, and the bun is stale and crumbly," he complained. "There's way too much mustard on it, and almost no relish at all! This is the worst hot dog I've ever had!"

"Mine's pretty bad, too," agreed Mike, "but you know what? I really don't care that much. Today's my birthday, and Mom and Dad are taking me out for supper. That's when I'm really going to eat! I'm gettin' a big, thick burger and fries and a Coke and cake and ice cream . . ."

"Hey! You're making me hungry," protested Ryan. He looked at the hot dog in his hand and took a bite. He made a face, but went on eating.

 As Ryan's father was reading the paper that evening, he found an article announcing the death of one of Ryan's former Sunday school teachers. "Mr. Jarvis never had much of this world's goods," said Dad, "but now he's gone on to his real reward." He smiled at Ryan. "Sometimes Christians are tempted to envy the people of the world and to wish for some of the material things they have. But you know, Son, it doesn't really matter so much how little we have of things here on earth, because we know we're going to be enjoying our life in heaven before very long."

"Hey, that's kind of like what Mike said!" exclaimed Ryan, and he told Dad about the poor food. "Mike didn't even care, because he was looking forward to going out for dinner."

Dad smiled. "What we have and do now is sort of like a snack before supper," he agreed. "Life on earth is a gift from God, but what matters most is what happens after this life. Nothing here can compare with what Christ has prepared for those who love Him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel like you don't have much? Both happiness and suffering in this world are only temporary. For Christians, the best is yet to come!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:18)
"The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

[Soldier4Christ]

Dark, threatening clouds rolled overhead as the Martin family drove home from church. "Jesus is coming in the clouds," five-year-old Jimmy said, as he intently watched the sky. "Do you think He's coming today?"

"He could," Mom replied.

"I've heard that all my life," said Terri, who was fifteen. "I think preachers just say that to scare people into living right."

"Why, Terri!" Mom was shocked. "Surely you . . ." Her words were drowned out by the thin piercing wail of a siren. The wind began to blow fiercely, and large drops of rain pelted the car.

"Oh, that's a tornado warning!" exclaimed Terri.

"Keep calm," said Dad as he peered through the blinding rain. "We're almost home."

"Maybe Jesus is coming," Jimmy said excitedly.

"Don't say that!" Terri cried. "Hurry, Daddy!"

"Calm down, Terri," Dad repeated. He turned the car into the driveway. Hail began to pelt the ground as the Martins ran for the storm cellar in their back yard.

A neighbor stood on his porch, watching the clouds. "Better come to the cellar with us, Mr. Carson," Mom invited as they ran past him.

Mr. Carson laughed. "They blow that tornado siren every time a little cloud comes up," he said. "No need to hide in a hole in the ground." As the cellar door closed behind the Martins, a loud roar filled the air.

About half an hour later, Dad left the cellar to see what had happened. When he returned, his face was grim. "It was a tornado," he said. "It took only part of the roof off our house, but Mr. Carson's house was demolished."

"What about Mr. Carson?" Terri asked.

"He's on his way to the hospital," answered Dad sadly. "Too bad he didn't believe the warning!"

Mom looked at her trembling daughter. "Terri," she said, "don't be foolish like Mr. Carson. Do you see now why preachers are sounding the warning? Jesus might not come today-but He is coming, and we need to be ready."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know that there are signs indicating that Jesus may come soon? It will be a wonderful day for those who are ready. Don't ignore the warnings. Accept Jesus today!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 22:3)
"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."

[Soldier4Christ]

"This is going to be worth a lot of money some day," Noah declared proudly as he looked over his stamp collection. He was very careful in handling the stamps and didn't want anyone else to touch them.

One afternoon a neighbor stopped in with her little boy. As she and Noah's mom were visiting, little Joey wandered into Noah's room. "Look, Mommy. See what I found," he said when he returned to the living room. Clutched in his small fist were some of Noah's stamps! Joey had climbed on Noah's bed and reached the collection, which was lying on the dresser. He had picked up stamps that were loose and had torn some pages in the stamp book.

The neighbor lady apologized and picked up her son to leave. As soon as they were gone, Noah jumped up and rushed to his room. "That little brat!" he wailed. "My collection is ruined! It will never be the same again. I might as well throw it out and start over!"

"It's not ruined, Noah. You can smooth out the rumpled pages, and we'll see if we can replace those that got torn," comforted Mom.

"It won't be worth anything anymore!" cried Noah angrily. "I hope I never see that little punk again!"

Mom frowned. "It sounds to me like your collection is a little too important to you," she said. "There are more important things in life-and learning to display actions and attitudes that please God is one of them."

"Is it wrong to have a collection then?" asked Noah.

"No," Mom replied, "but it's wrong to make it, or any other earthly treasure, so important to you that it comes before your love for God-or for people." She patted Noah's shoulder. "I can understand that you're upset," she said, "but don't let your frustration make you forget what's really important. Remember that Joey isn't much more than a baby. Be willing to forgive him-use this occasion to store treasure where it will last. By displaying a godly attitude, you can store treasure in heaven where it will never be damaged. Okay?"

"I . . . I . . ." stammered Noah. "Okay," he muttered. "I'll try."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have treasure in heaven as well as on earth? Be thankful for all the good things God provides for you here, but don't get too attached to any of them. As you develop qualities God desires in your life and live for Him and His glory, you will store up treasure in heaven where it will last forever.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 6:20)
"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Let's play checkers or something," said Elise cheerfully. "Since we're both grounded, it's not so bad."

Greg frowned. "Easy for you to say," he growled. "After all, you're grounded for a better reason than I am."

"Am not!" Elise flashed back defensively.

"Are, too!"

"Am not! You wouldn't even open your mouth and sing when the Junior Choir was practicing," said Elise.

"Yeah. Just 'cuz I don't like to sing, I have to sit home!" grumbled Greg. "That's so stupid! But you . . . you told lies. That's much worse. The Bible says you're supposed to tell the truth." He smiled triumphantly.

Mom, hearing voices raised, went to see what was causing the problem. "I'm sure you know, Son, that your refusal to sing isn't the real reason you were grounded," said Mom. "It was your total refusal to cooperate and your disrespect for your director. But you're right-Elise did disobey one of the principles given to us in the Bible. What you don't seem to realize is that among the instructions God gave as to how we should conduct ourselves, He says many times-especially in the Psalms-to sing unto the Lord. I think we should take those verses as seriously as the ones that tell us to be honest, don't you?"

"But some people can't carry a tune," objected Greg.

"True," agreed Mom, "but you're not one of them."

"But . . . but I remember hearing a Psalm or something that says to praise God with a trumpet and harp-stuff like that. So do I have to take harp lessons?" Greg was quite sure he had Mom stumped this time.

"No. I think God is saying we should praise Him by whatever means we can, and in your case, that's with your voice-and you do sing well," she said. "Some verses say to 'make a joyful noise' to the Lord, and we can all do that." Mom smiled. "Some verses simply say to shout joyfully to the Lord."

Greg didn't know what to say. Just then they heard a baby's cry, and Greg got up. "I'll go and get Tommy back to sleep," he told his mother. He grinned as he added, "I won't shout-I'll sing him a lullaby!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you can't sing very well? Singing is a natural way to express praise and other emotions. Why not try singing when you're all by yourself? Everyone can make a "joyful noise" unto God, whether by singing, shouting, or playing an instrument.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 30:4)
"Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Okay, boys," called Coach Jensen. "If you want to try out as goalie, form a line near the goal box." Sergio ran to the end of the soccer field and joined the line forming there. "Sergio," called the coach, "see what you can do."

Sergio watched carefully as two players neared the goal, kicking the ball back and forth. When one of them sent a powerful kick toward the goal, Sergio swooped down and grabbed for the ball, but he missed. He saved only one out of several goal attempts. There goes my chance of being goalie, he thought sadly as he turned and slowly walked toward his position as middle defender.

After the practice session, Coach Jensen put his hand on Sergio's shoulder. "Sergio," he said, "I hope you're not too disappointed at not making goalie. The team needs you at midfield and can't afford to lose you there anyway. Running and moving the ball is really your thing."

That evening Sergio repeated what the coach had said. "I still wish I could be goalie, though," Sergio added with a sigh. "I wish I were good at that, but if the team really does need me in midfield, I suppose it doesn't matter that I'm not a good goalie."

 Dad nodded. "The important thing is to work together with other team members and play in the position that helps build a strong team," he said. He looked thoughtful. "That's what we need to do on God's team-the Church-too. He gives each of us special gifts or talents. Not all of us get the same ones-and sometimes we think we should have something different from what we were given. But when we all use our gifts, we build up God's team. He is pleased and honored by that."

"You mean like . . . some people can preach and some can sing?" asked Sergio. "And some can sweep floors?"

"That's right," said Dad. "God gives a great variety of gifts, and each one is needed. When we learn to be happy with whatever gifts He gives us, we also enjoy using them for Him and for each other."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you happy with the gifts-the abilities or talents-that you have? Would you rather have a gift God has given to someone else? In His wisdom, God gives you the gifts and responsibilities He knows are best for you. Be thankful for them, and joyfully use them for His glory.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 12:4)
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look, Dad," said Anthony as he set his new remote control car on the patio. "I can make it go anywhere I want." He pressed the lever on the control, and the shiny red Mustang shot backward and forward. As Anthony rotated the lever on the control pad, the car sped in a circle around his feet.

"Hey! What a cool car!" exclaimed Samantha, coming out on the patio. "It just runs by itself."

"Not really," said Dad as he carried a platter of hamburgers to the grill. "It does what it's told. It receives the messages Anthony is sending from the remote control unit. Certain signals mean 'left' or 'right.' Others tell it to speed up or back up. When the car receives the signals, it obeys the command."

"It's sort of like a robot, isn't it?" Anthony asked as the car buzzed around the patio. "I tell it what to do, and it does it."

"That's right," agreed Dad. "The car has no life of its own. It can't think for itself, so it just mechanically follows orders." He paused. "Just like people sometimes," he added.

"What do you mean, Dad?" asked Samantha.

"Sometimes we don't put any life into our actions," Dad replied. "We're Christians, which is really an exciting thing, but often we behave almost as though we're robots that are programmed to act like Christians. Going to church and repeating memorized prayers are a couple examples of how we do that."

Anthony thought for a moment. "But I thought going to church and praying were good habits," he said.

Dad nodded. "They are," he agreed, "but they should be more than habits. Saying a memorized prayer is okay if you really mean the words you're saying, but it's so easy to just rattle off words without even thinking about them. It's generally better to pray your own words and thoughts."

"Are we like robots in other ways?" asked Samantha.

Dad smiled. "Help me think of some," he said, "and then let's think of ways to make those things something special to us and not just habits."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you go to church out of habit and then daydream during the sermon? Do you simply repeat memorized prayers? Don't just go through the motions of worship. Think of the meaning of the songs you sing, the sermon you hear, and the prayers you pray. Worship God from your heart, not just from habit.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 6:6)
"Doing the will of God from the heart." (KJV)

[Soldier4Christ]

Allison squealed with joy as her dad drove into the parking lot at the ice cream store. "Oh, goody! I want a hot fudge sundae with nuts!" she exclaimed.

Mom shook her head. "Not this time, Allison. It's too near dinner. A single dip cone will be enough."

Allison's mouth tightened. "I don't see why . . ."

"You heard your mother," interrupted Dad, opening his door. "What flavor do you want?"

"I guess chocolate almond," Allison replied gruffly. As soon as her dad was gone, she spoke again. "I don't see how it would hurt me to have a hot fudge . . ."

"Allison, how do you suppose you look to God right now?" asked Mom. Allison shrugged, and Mom continued. "Here you sit in a comfortable car, wearing nice clean clothes. Only a few hours ago, you had a delicious lunch. In another hour or so, you will have dinner. Yet you're pouting because you get only one dip of ice cream. Across the ocean . . ."

"Oh, Mom," interrupted Allison. "I hope you aren't going to talk about the starving kids in India or some other foreign country!" Allison frowned at her mother.

"Yes, I am," replied Mom. "While you eat your ice cream, another ten-year-old will be shivering in the cold, clawing through garbage cans for a bite to eat. That child has one meal a day and sleeps on the street."

"I can't do anything about that," Allison protested.

"Last week you stood looking through your stuffed closet and pouted because you couldn't have a new dress," said Mom. "At the same time, another girl, thousands of miles from here, was putting on a faded, patched dress, but she was smiling."

"Aw, Mom-you don't know that," protested Allison.

"It happens every day somewhere," Mom replied. "While you complain about your toys and often ask for more and better things, many children around the world are playing with tin cans and rocks and sticks."

Allison looked out the window. She didn't want to see the pictures her mother was painting with words.

"It's so easy to forget how blessed we are," Mom said, more to herself than to Allison. "I wonder how God sees us."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How does God see you at this Thanksgiving time? Are you grateful for all you have, or do you complain about not having something you want? This would be a good time to count your blessings.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 103:2)
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom!" wailed Brittany as she ran into the house followed by her brother. "Jeff has a dirty old fly, and he's chasing me with it! Make him kill it, Mom!"

Jeff was carrying a glass jar. Inside was a large horse fly. "Now this little old fly is just plain unhappy in this jar," he declared, laughing. "There isn't a horse for miles around for him to pester, so I'm going to set him free in your room. You'll do just as well." He started toward Brittany's room.

At Brittany's angry squeal of protest, Mom spoke up. "Stop teasing your sister," she scolded mildly, "and take that thing outside and get rid of it."

"Kill it!" ordered Brittany.

"Awww, have a little mercy," Jeff answered. "I'd just let it go, but it's been pestering me while I work on my bike. I tried to chase it away, but it won't leave me alone. I know! I'll take it to Bryson's Woods and let it go there."

Brittany watched Jeff pedal down the street on his bike. "Now why would he go to all that trouble?" she wanted to know. "I think he's doing it just to tease me."

Mom smiled. "Maybe," she said, "but maybe it's just because Jeff has always hated to see anything hurt."

"Well," Brittany snorted, "if that dirty old fly has been pestering him so bad, it deserves to die. Saving the life of something like that is going a bit too far, if you ask me."

"You may be right," murmured Mom. After a moment she added, "On the other hand, I'm glad God doesn't feel that way." She smiled at Brittany's surprised expression. "In some ways we're like that fly," explained Mom. "We're sinners who deserve hell, but Christ loves us and died for us. Like Jeff showed mercy to the fly, God shows mercy to us. He gives us the opportunity to have a new life in Christ. I'm glad God is merciful, aren't you?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that you deserve to be punished for your sin? But God loves you and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. Instead of receiving the eternal death you deserve, He offers eternal life. That's mercy. Trust Him as Savior today and be free from everlasting punishment.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 103:
"The Lord is merciful and gracious."

[Soldier4Christ]

It was Saturday morning, and Kate quickly gobbled down her breakfast. She had to hurry to school for a special band practice and then pick up materials to make signs for the baked goods sale her Girl Scout troop was having. "Oh . . . I invited some of the church kids over for lunch so we could talk about our retreat next month," she told her mother.

Mom frowned. "You should have asked permission first," she said. "You know I have to leave right now to help with a project at church. I won't be home till after lunch, so you'll have to fix it yourself. I don't know what you'll fix-I won't be getting groceries till later."

The morning went poorly for Kate. She hadn't had time to practice her flute and couldn't play well at all. She  had to go to two stores before she found posterboard in the color she wanted. By the time she was ready to fix lunch, it was almost time for the kids to come.

Kate searched the cupboards but couldn't find anything she thought was suitable for lunch. Peanut butter sandwiches will have to do, she decided. But even the peanut butter was almost gone. She spread it very thinly over the slices of bread, slapping the sandwiches together just as her friends arrived.

When the kids began to eat, Logan frowned. "What are these?" he asked. "Bread sandwiches?" Kate laughed with the other kids, but she really felt awful.

"Lunch was a flop," said Kate when she told her mother about it.

Mom shook her head. "I'm sorry, honey," she said, "but you know, the peanut butter sandwiches remind me of you." Kate looked at Mom in surprise. "The peanut butter was spread too thin," continued Mom, "and you're spreading yourself too thin. When we're involved in too many activities, we often can't do a good job at any of them."

Kate sighed. "I guess you're right," she admitted.

"Why don't you make a list of all the things you want to do, and ask the Lord to help you decide which are the most important," suggested Mom. "Do those things first-and do them well. You'll be doing everyone a favor by not taking on more than you can handle."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you so busy that you can't do a good job at each thing you do? If you don't have time for a certain responsibility, pray about it and seek a parent's or perhaps a Sunday school teacher's advice. Learn to say no when necessary, and be sure to do everything "as unto the Lord."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

[Soldier4Christ]

As Kelsey turned away from the lunch counter at school, her tray was knocked from her hands. Spattered with food, she looked angrily at the girl who had bumped into her. It was "Clumsy Claire."

"Oh, Kelsey, I'm so sorry!" Claire began, blushing as the boys behind her yelled and laughed.

Kelsey stooped and began to pick up scattered silverware and broken glass as Claire tried to wipe up the food with a napkin. "Don't bother with that," said Kelsey. "I'll get a janitor."

"But I'm really sorry," the girl mumbled as Kelsey brushed by her. Claire took a seat in the far corner. She sat alone and picked at her food as big tears welled up in her eyes and threatened to splash down her cheeks.

Kelsey called home, and her mother quickly brought fresh clothing. "Poor Claire! She must be terribly embarrassed," said Mom after hearing the story. "Maybe you can help make her feel at ease."

Kelsey pondered that idea as she changed clothes. Why should I worry about Claire? I'm the one who was embarrassed! Her mother's words, however, kept returning to her mind. She also remembered her Sunday school verse-"Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another." Kelsey continued to think about Claire all afternoon.

As Kelsey got her lunch tray the next day, she glanced around the room. She knew Claire always sat alone at lunch and seldom talked with the other students. Making her way to the table in the far corner, Kelsey saw an uncomfortable blush creep up Claire's neck and into her face. "Hey-everything's all right now," said Kelsey with a smile.

"I'm sorry I bumped into you yesterday," mumbled Claire. "I didn't mean to."

"I know you didn't, Claire," comforted Kelsey. "We all do things like that sometimes."

As the girls talked about some of their classes, Claire began to relax, and Kelsey felt better, too. Dear Lord, she prayed silently, please help me be a friend to Claire-not just today, but every day.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know someone who is lonely? Clumsy? Unattractive? Someone who needs a friend? God wants you to show compassion. Think about how that person feels. Then treat him or her with kindness.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 3:
"Having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."