Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Wow! Look at this big bird," said Jordan, holding up a newspaper photo.

"Is that a whooping crane?" asked Dad.

Jordan nodded. "It says here that scientists are trying to increase the flock. They're raising young whooping cranes and training them to fly."

"I thought birds flew naturally," said Jasmine. "Why do they have to teach them to fly?"

"I don't know," replied Jordan, "but it says here that to train them, a man wore a white cape and a beekeeper hat and carried a long, white puppet arm that looked like the head of a crane. By dropping mealworms every few inches, he encouraged the hatchlings to leave their nest. They adopted him as their parent and followed him everywhere."

Jasmine laughed. "Silly birds," she said.

"When they were old enough," continued Jordan, "that same costumed man lured them to fly. He used a slow-moving ultralight plane-one of those things that looks like a tricycle with wings and a motor. It worked, and the cranes took to the air to follow him."

"Cool," responded Jasmine.

At family devotions that evening, Dad referred to the  conversation they'd had about whooping cranes. "Are you aware of the deceiver dropping juicy bits along your path, coaxing you to follow him?" asked Dad.

Jasmine frowned. "Nobody's coaxing me," she said.

"Me, neither," said Jordan.  He grinned as he added, "Even if there were, I wouldn't follow. I don't like mealworms."

"There's a deceiver that you can't see," said Dad, "but he's eager to lure you from the things of God. He doesn't use slimy mealworms-he uses things like video games, TV, sports, friends, music, or magazines. His up-to-date devices include the Internet and chat rooms."

"I know who you mean!" exclaimed Jasmine. "The devil."

"But those things aren't always bad," protested Jordan.

"No," agreed Dad, "but they could be. Depend on God to show you what you should do regarding each activity and circumstance, and always be willing to yield to Him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What is Satan using to try to deceive you? He may offer things that seem good but that will warp your thinking, ruin your body, or take time that should be used for better things. Don't follow the deceiver. Make sure your activities are things that do not offend God. Yield to Him by obeying Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:7)
"Submit . . . to God. Resist the devil."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom," called Carter, "is it okay with you if Dad and I take a hike before supper?" Mom agreed, so off they went-just the two "men" of the family. They were spending a week at a lake, and Carter loved those hikes with his dad. Today he had an important question. "Are people supposed to be able to tell that we're Christians just by looking at our lives?" he asked.

   "Well, perhaps not always, but . . ." Dad glanced around. "See that sand dune with all the trees growing on it?" he asked. "Does any one tree catch your eye?"

   "Um . . . oh, I know!" Carter pointed. "That one over there, growing sideways on the slope," he said.

   Dad grinned and nodded. "You picked out that tree because it's different," he said. "When you live to please Jesus, people looking at the way you live will often be able to see that you're different, too."

   "But how?" asked Carter. "I'm not very big, yet-I'm only ten!"

   "That tree isn't very big, either," answered Dad, "but it's special, and you are, too. One way you can be different is in your attitude toward others. God wants His children to show love to one another."

   "Oh, yeah," said Carter thoughtfully. "What else?"

   "Sometimes your activities should be different from those of your friends," suggested Dad. "You said some of them play ball on Sunday instead of attending Sunday school. Some may enjoy bad movies or use bad language. Maybe Satan tempts you to lose your temper. God doesn't want you to do those things. What He wants is for you to show love, patience, kindness, and consideration for others. In that way, He wants you to be different from most of the world."

   "Oh, I get it!" exclaimed Carter. "If I live the way God wants me to live, the kids will notice."

   "That's the idea," agreed Dad. "Let them know what it is that makes the difference in your life. But even if nobody notices, remember that you're pleasing God, and that's most important. Now . . . I think we should be getting back. I saw Mom taking out steaks for supper!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your life different from what it would be if you didn't know Jesus? Does it reflect the values taught in the Bible?  Let others see honesty, kindness, consideration and love. Let them see that Jesus lives in you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away   . . . all things are become new."

[Soldier4Christ]

Alix frowned as she squinted at the mirror. As if thick glasses and braces aren't bad enough, she thought. Now my hair seems to have a mind of its own. I've used oodles of mousse, and it still sticks out in all directions!

Sighing, Alix turned off the bathroom light and headed downstairs. It was still early, but she knew her brother Daniel would be up. Alix was glad he had come home for spring break. She'd missed him so much while he'd been away at college this past year.

"Hey, beautiful," Daniel greeted her as she came through the kitchen door.

Alix made a face. "Who are you talking to?" she asked, glancing around the room as if looking for someone. "I know it can't be me, 'cuz I . . . well, look at my hair!"

Daniel grinned. "Looks good to me," he said. "Here-I've got something for you." He handed her a small, round object.

"Wow! Thanks! Just what I always wanted," said Alix sarcastically as she looked at the bumpy, gray rock about the size of her fist.

Daniel laughed. "It's a geode," he explained. "Inside this plain little rock is a heart of exquisite beauty. Honest! Come on. I'll show you."

Daniel led the way to the basement. Settling the rock securely on Dad's workbench, he picked up a hammer and a small chisel. He carefully hammered around the rock's middle until it cracked into two halves. Alix gasped. The geode was hollow inside-and completely lined in sparkling crystals! The colors ranged from deep, intense purple to lavender to purest white.

"Oh-h-h-h! I love it!" exclaimed Alix.

"It's a really pretty one," agreed Daniel. "My science professor says that geodes are kind of like people. A person's real beauty is what's inside-his character. Generous or stingy, kind or mean-that sort of thing determines a person's true beauty. Outside appearance is unimportant." Daniel gave Alix a warm hug. "You, my dear sister, are beautiful," he added, "both inside and out." Alix smiled at her brother. She forgot her hair and didn't even think about the braces on her teeth.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you unhappy with your physical appearance? Do you wish you were taller? Prettier? More handsome? The way you look on the outside isn't the important thing. What comes out of your heart is what matters. When you live to please the Lord, He sees real beauty, and others will, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 16:7)
"The Lord looketh on the heart."

[Soldier4Christ]

Rosario picked up a pen and drew a line down the middle of a paper. His Sunday school teacher had asked the class to bring in a list of things for which they were thankful and a list of things for which they weren't thankful. Let's see . . . I'm thankful for Mom and Dad, thought Rosario. He wrote "parents" on his list. And I'm thankful for my dog and my friends and Grandpa and Grandma. I'm thankful for food and for . . . for my new shoes. I'm thankful for my Sunday school class, too, and especially for Jesus. Rosario's list of things to be thankful for was getting long. There are so many things that it will take an awful lot of time to write them all down! he thought. I'd better start on the things I'm not thankful for.

Rosario remembered that his mother had sent him to his room for telling a lie. He wrote "punishment" on the opposite side of the paper. And . . . ah . . . oh, I know! Memorizing verses. I hate memorizing. He quickly wrote "memorization" on the list of things for which he was not thankful. Chores, he thought. I don't like doing chores, either.

Rosario's sister Malia sat down beside him and looked at his list. "If you're thankful for parents, you should be thankful for punishment," she said. "You should be glad they care enough to punish you when you do wrong things."

Rosario scowled. "Well, I'm not," he muttered.

"Then I don't think you're thankful enough for them," said Malia.

"Go away," grumbled Rosario. After his sister left, he reluctantly crossed out "punishment."

A Bible verse popped into Rosario's mind. He found himself repeating it out loud, word for word. "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything."

Well, that verse sure blows the idea of listing things I'm not thankful for! he thought. After a moment, he grinned. But this will save me lots of time, he decided. Then he crossed out the words on both sides of the paper. On the side of things to be thankful for, he wrote in big letters: EVERYTHING! But he felt a little guilty as he put his pencil down. With a sigh, he picked it up, and on the other side of the paper wrote, "But I'm not thankful enough for anything."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you thank God for everything? Maybe you hate to study. Maybe your father lost his job. Maybe you didn't get the new bike you want. The Bible says to give thanks for all things. Can you do that? Trust God to work things out in the best possible way. Trust His timing, and give thanks.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Hunter snuggled down to listen as his mother began reading a story at nap time. "Benny, a shiny new boxcar, awoke one day to find himself sitting on the tracks in a busy train yard," read Mom. "He thought himself quite handsome in his bright yellow coat of paint with 'New York' printed on his side. He practically exploded with pride when he was filled with crates of fresh, juicy fruit. 'Why, I'm the finest boxcar in the yard!' he exclaimed as he looked around. 'I'm much nicer than any of these other cars.'

"'Where are you going?' called a little red boxcar.

"Benny sniffed. 'Can't you read?' he asked. 'I'm going to New York. I'm a very important boxcar.'

"'I'm sure you are,' agreed the red car, 'but you aren't moving. How are you going to get to New York?'

"Benny's eyes grew wide. He had forgotten that he couldn't go anywhere without help. 'Will you push me?' he asked.

"'Not I,' answered the other boxcar. 'I can't move by myself, either. But a big engine is coming here tonight, and he can pull us both.'

"All that afternoon Benny thought about the big engine, and he grew angry. 'Who does that engine think he is?' he fumed. 'After all, I'm important, too. I shouldn't have to sit here meekly waiting for him to come and pull me.' So when the big engine chugged into the yard at nightfall, Benny just yawned and looked the other way.

"'Hey, Yellow Car!' called the red car. 'We're leaving now. Are you ready? This may be your last chance!'

"Benny thought about what a fine boxcar he was. He felt like he should be able to go to New York on his own power. He tried to move, but he really knew he couldn't. Then he thought about having to sit in this noisy, dusty train yard for a long time-perhaps forever-with his load of fruit spoiling inside him. 'Hey, wait!' he called to the engine, who was just starting to pull away. 'I'm sorry I was so proud. I do need you. Please pull me to New York!'" Mom closed the book, tucked the blankets around Hunter, and tiptoed out of the room.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that you can't get to heaven on your own power? You must be personally connected to Jesus, the only one who can lead you to heaven. Trust Him as Savior today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 14:6)
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm sick of school," declared Lana as she flung herself down on the couch. "There are too many rules. Don't run in the halls; don't slide on the banister; don't go too high in the swings-don't, don't, don't!"

Mom looked at her suspiciously. "And what did you do that you weren't supposed to do?" Mom asked.

Lana ducked her head. "N-nothing," she mumbled.

"Apparently you broke a rule and got into trouble," Mom stated. "What did you do, Lana?"

Lana looked at her mother out of the corner of her eye. "All I did was run to get in front of the line. I was thirsty. But Miss Marshall made me go to the back of the line and then stay in the rest of recess."

"Well, how would you like it if someone cut in front of you in the line?" asked Mom.

Lana looked at her mother. "Well, I . . . I . . . oh, never mind! Let's go play, Stephen." She followed her little brother outside.

Soon Lana came bursting back into the house. "Make Stephen play fair, Mom!" she exclaimed. "It's my turn to hide, and he keeps peeking. He's not following the rules."

Lana's mother looked straight at her. "So? Maybe he doesn't like rules," said Mom. "You don't."

"Well, we can't play the game without rules, but all Stephen cares about is winning," cried Lana. "All he cares about is himself!"

"Who did you care about when you broke a rule and cut in line, Lana?" asked Mom.

"I . . . well . . . me, I guess," admitted Lana.

Mom nodded. "Did you know that God has rules, too?" she asked. "The most important one is His command to love Him most of all. The second is that we must love others as much as we love ourselves." Mom smiled at  Lana. "Often we want everybody else to obey rules, but we like to forget about them ourselves," said Mom. "When we obey God's rules about loving Him and others, it helps us obey other rules as well."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there rules that you don't like? Remember God's rule-love Him and others. When you do that, it will be easier to obey other rules, too. Ask God to help you do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 10:27)
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart . . . soul . . . strength . . . mind; and thy neighbor as thyself."

[Soldier4Christ]

"I want a soapbox car exactly like the one you had when you won the Soapbox Derby as a kid, Dad," said Jase. "You said you saved the directions for making it, right?" Dad nodded, and they went to the attic to look for the papers they needed.

Dad opened an old chest and soon took out a yellowed paper. "Here they are! The plans for the car," he said. Jase watched eagerly as Dad looked over the paper. Then Dad surprised him by folding it and slowly putting it back. "Maybe we don't need this after all," said Dad.

"Not need it!" exclaimed Jase. "Why not?"

"We can just build the racer according to what we think is right," replied Dad.

"Dad, this is a big project," objected Jase, staring at his dad in disbelief. "There's no way we can build a race car like yours without that instruction sheet."

Dad looked thoughtful. "Do you think building a car is a bigger and more important project than building your life?" asked Dad. "I remember a conversation we had not long ago. Judging by what you said-and by the way you've behaved since then-I gather that you don't think you need instructions for your life."

Bryan frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"A few weeks ago you told us one of your teachers said that knowing what the Bible says is not necessary-that people should just live according to what they think is right," said Dad. "I've noticed that since then you complain about going to church and Sunday school, and you haven't been interested in our family devotions time. If you don't need the Bible to learn about God and His plan for your life, why should you need those plans to build a wooden race car?"

Jase didn't know what to say. After an uncomfortable silence, he sighed. "I guess you're right," he admitted. "I never thought of the Bible as a . . . a set of directions, but I guess it really is something like that."

Dad nodded. "When we read it together later tonight, we'll see how many things we find that show us something about God's plan for our lives."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that you need God's help and direction in "building" your life? You find that in the Bible. When you follow the instructions and principles He gives you there, you build with good materials that will last for eternity. God will reward those who follow His plan in building their lives.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 3:9)
"Ye are God's building."

[Soldier4Christ]

"I had so much fun today-I love Florida vacations in the winter!" exclaimed Tiffany. "Can we rent a movie tonight?"

"I guess so. What would you like to see?" asked Dad as he folded his newspaper. When Tiffany suggested a film, her father shook his head. "The reviews say it's full of bad words-not something Christians should watch."

"Morgan's family rented it, and it was funny!" protested Tiffany. "They're Christians, aren't they?"

Dad nodded. "I believe so, but what they watch or don't watch is between them and the Lord," he said. "I'm responsible for this family, not Lisa's."

"But, Dad, I'm not going to start cussing just because I hear a few bad words," said Tiffany.

Dad frowned and pointed to Tiffany's sunburned arm. "Tell me something, honey," he said. "Why didn't you get out of the sun when you started getting a sunburn?"

"I didn't realize I was burning," said Tiffany. "After I had been inside for a while, I saw that I was burnt. Mom said to come in out of the sun after one hour next time."

"Sin is often like sunburn," said Dad.

"It is?" asked Tiffany. "How?"

"When we're exposed to sin, the effects don't always show up immediately," explained Dad. "We might watch that movie with its bad language, and it might not seem to have any effect on us. However, we're exposed to bad words at other times, too. If we're exposed too much-to sun or to sin-the consequences do eventually show up."

"Well . . . sometimes we can't help hearing bad stuff," said Tiffany.

"True," agreed Dad, "but it's better to avoid any kind of sin whenever possible."

"You mean . . . like avoiding too much sun?" asked Tiffany.

Dad nodded. "When we avoid the presence of sin, we're less likely to be tempted by it."

"Okay," said Tiffany. She sighed, then grinned and added, "Let's go to the video store and find a movie we can watch without getting sin-burned."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that you're affected by all you hear and see? As much as possible, expose yourself to good things. Avoid unwholesome shows, books, and-yes-even people who tempt you to sin. Remember that consequences eventually do show up.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 101:3)
"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Where's the book you borrowed from me last night?" asked Camden from the doorway of his sister's room.

"I put it on your desk," replied Natalie. "I'll show you." She followed her brother into his room. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "Alert the National Guard! This is a disaster area!" Natalie pointed to his desk. "I put the book right there, but the way you've thrown things around, who knows where it is now."

"Find it!" Camden insisted. "I have to have it tomorrow."

Natalie sighed and began digging through Camden's stuff. She picked up a CD. "This isn't yours, is it?"

Camden shook his head. "It's Tony's. I keep forgetting to return it."

Natalie dug a bit deeper. "Where did you get this book?"

"Oh, that's Mark's," replied her brother. "He loaned it to me a while back."

"Hey!" Natalie exclaimed. "Here's the pen you borrowed from me last month! You said you lost it!" She looked up as Mom stuck her head in the door to see what was going on. "Half the stuff in here is borrowed, and you know what the Bible says about borrowing stuff and not returning it!" added Natalie.

"I do?" asked Camden. "Like what?"

"The Bible says the wicked borrow stuff and don't return it," said Natalie. "I read that just the other day."

Mom frowned. "To promise to return something and then not do it is wrong," she told Camden sternly.

"But I'm going to return everything," protested Camden.

"If you don't forget," said Natalie as she held up her pen. Then she picked up something else. "And here's your book-I told you I had returned it."

"When you loan something, you want it returned to you, don't you?" asked Mom. Looking foolish, Camden nodded. "Other people do, too," said Mom. "Clean this room and make a pile of all the things you've borrowed. Return as many as you can before you do anything else this evening, and take the rest to your friends at school tomorrow."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you failed to return a borrowed pencil, a game, or a book? Keeping borrowed items is really the same as stealing them. Collect all the borrowed items you have and return them today. Don't let today's memory verse apply to you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 37:21)
"The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again."

[Soldier4Christ]

Kim began eating her pie as soon as her mother handed it to her. "Kimberly?" Mom's voice had a question in it.

Kim looked up. "Oh . . . thank you," she mumbled.

"You're welcome," Mom replied as she handed Matt his piece.

As Matt picked up his fork, he noticed his father's frown. "Thanks," muttered Matt.

"You're welcome, too." Mom sighed. "But you both should wait to eat till everyone is served," she added. "I do wish you two would remember your manners. They're very important."

"Right," agreed Dad. "It pays to be courteous."

After dinner Matt went out to play. Jon, who lived next door, ran up behind Matt and almost knocked him out of the swing. Matt was just about to make an angry remark when Jon said, "Sorry, Matt. I didn't mean to bump into you."

"That's okay," replied Matt. "Want to take turns swinging?"

"Sure," Jon agreed.

The boys were happily playing when Kim came out. "I've got four pieces of candy," she said. "One for Matt, one for Jon, one for me, and one extra." She gave Jon a piece and smiled when he thanked her. She handed a piece to her brother. "What do you say, Matt?" she asked importantly.

"I say you're selfish to keep two pieces for yourself," complained Matt.

"You should thank her for giving you a piece," said Jon. "She didn't have to."

"But she's got two," grumbled Matt.

"She had four before she shared," Jon reminded him.

Kim handed Jon the extra piece of candy. "This is for you, Jon," she said. "I like you. You're polite." He looked surprised, and Kim grinned. "Dad says it pays to be courteous," she added. "That means polite."

"We know what it means," muttered Matt, "but I guess Dad's right. Good manners saved Jon from a fight, and it got him a turn on the swing and two pieces of candy!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you practice good manners? Is it especially hard to be polite when others are not? Being nice when someone is mean to you is sometimes the best way to show that you love God. It may also turn a potential enemy into a friend. Good manners generally please both God and other people, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 3:
"Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."

[Soldier4Christ]

"God has answered a lot of prayers for us lately," said five-year-old Nick. "Grandma's all better, and Daddy has a new job. We even have new friends living next door!" He paused. "I guess God will give us anything we want. All we have to do is ask Him," Nick reasoned. "What do you want, Molly?"

"A piano," Molly answered dreamily, "but Mom said I'd have to wait until I'm older. What do you want?"

"I want a new, big bicycle!" exclaimed Nick. "Daddy said I'd have to wait until Christmas, but I want one now. Let's ask God for a piano and a bike."

After Mom tucked the children into bed that night, she returned to the living room, a frown on her face. "In their prayers tonight, Molly asked God to send a piano right away, and Nick asked for a bike," she reported. "He told the Lord he wants it now."

Dad grinned. "I guess they're taking their requests over our heads to a higher authority," he said.

After a week of watching and waiting, Nick and Molly went to their parents. "I thought God always answered our prayers," Molly began.

Dad nodded. "That's right," he said. "He does, Molly." Dad knew what was coming.

"We asked for a bicycle and piano, but we didn't get them," said Nick. "Didn't God hear us? Maybe we should pray louder."

"I'm sure God heard you," replied Dad, "but I don't think you're hearing His answer. He's telling you the same thing Mom and I told you."

"Daddy and I think it's best that you wait a while for those things, and God agrees with us," explained Mom.

Dad nodded. "God invites-and encourages-us to ask Him for things, but it's not a magic way to get them," he said. "We may ask Him for things, but we shouldn't ask for selfish reasons. We need to be willing to accept whatever answer He gives, knowing that His will is best."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pray about everything? Are you careful to ask God to work things out according to what He knows is best rather than for your own comfort? Accept the answer He gives, and go on trusting Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:3)
"Ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

[Soldier4Christ]

Phloy loved the deep, rich colors of African violets, and she often helped her mother take care of them. "Look, Mom. This big leaf broke off our purple African violet," she said sadly one day. Then she threw the leaf in the wastebasket.

Mom quickly took it back out. "Here . . . let me show you what we can do with that leaf," she said. She filled a glass with water and cut a thick paper to fit over the rim. Then she put a slit in the paper and inserted the leaf into the slit so that the stem was in water. "Now we have to wait for that to sprout roots," she said.

It was several days later when Phloy noticed that the end of the stem was getting fuzzy with tiny roots. As more days passed, the roots continued to grow. "Now," Mom said one day, "it's time to plant the stem in soil, Phloy. It will have to be watered occasionally, and I'll leave that job to you."

Phloy faithfully watered the little plant, and soon she was thrilled to see tiny new leaves peeking up from the soil. But a few days later she was upset again. "Mom, look!" She pointed to the big stem. "It's dying," wailed Phloy. "What do we do now?"

"Nothing-that's the way it's supposed to be, honey. The big leaf has finished its job," Mom explained. "It has given its life so there can be new plants."

That evening Phloy told her dad about the leaf. "That's interesting," said Dad, "and you know what it reminds me of, Phloy? It reminds me of our Lord Jesus. He died so that we can live. Because He gave His life, we can have eternal life in heaven. Unlike the plant, however, Jesus didn't remain dead! He rose again, and right now He's in heaven preparing a place for all those who have received new life from Him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you received new life in Jesus Christ? He died so that you can live forever. Accept the eternal life He provided for you. Trust Him as your Lord and Savior today.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 3:36)
"He that believeth on the Son (Jesus) hath everlasting life."

[Soldier4Christ]

When Eric's twelfth birthday came, he received many nice gifts, and he was thankful for all of them-but everyone knew that Grandpa Baker's gift would be the highlight of the occasion. Grandpa's hobby was making model ships out of pine and balsa wood. The finished models were works of art, and Grandpa made a special ship for each grandchild's twelfth birthday.

Eric carefully removed the wrapping paper from the box and lifted out the ship. "Wow! This is cool, Grandpa!" he exclaimed. He gave his grandfather a hug, then turned to study and admire the ship again. He pointed to a mark on the side of the ship. "Grandpa, what's this line?" asked Eric. He knew there was a reason for all the details on his grandfather's models.

"That's called a 'Plimsoll mark,' Eric," answered Grandpa. "When ships were overloaded, they would sometimes sink and lives would be lost. A man named Samuel Plimsoll worked to reform the shipping laws, and a new law was established. It required a mark to be made on each ship. If the water level was above that mark, the ship was overloaded, and some of the cargo would have to be removed."

"Oh, I get it!" said Eric. "It's called the 'Plimsoll mark' after the man who suggested putting that line on the ships, right?"

"Right," agreed Grandpa. He smiled. "I often think that Christians have a special 'mark,' too," he added, "and God knows just where it is. He understands us perfectly and knows exactly what things we can handle. He promises that we'll not be overloaded with greater temptations than we can resist with His help!" He gave Eric a hug. "Whenever you look at your model ship, Eric, I hope it will remind you that I love you, and that God loves you even more-and that He won't allow you to be faced with more temptation than you can handle. He'll help you through any difficulty He allows in your life!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes want so badly to do something wrong that you just don't see how you can help yourself? Remember that Christ lives in you and has the power to resist all sin. Depend on Him to show you the way out so you will not give in to the temptation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Cor. 10:13)
"God will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted above that ye are able."

[Soldier4Christ]

The musty, dusty smell of the attic tickled Shawn's nose, and he sneezed. "Some of this stuff looks like it hasn't been touched in years!" he exclaimed as he helped his mother sort out things in his grandmother's attic. Shawn held up a box. "Look, Mom! Here's some dingy old silverware. Do you want it for your garage sale?"

Mom looked up. "I'll say not!" She reached for the box. "This is the silverware that was given to my grandparents as a wedding present. It's very valuable!"

As she began counting knives, forks, and spoons, Shawn frowned. "Doesn't look valuable to me," he declared. "No one would want to use that stuff! It looks grubby!"

"That's tarnish," said Mom. "This hasn't been used for a long time, and silver that isn't used tarnishes." She set down the box of silverware. "I'll be right back," she said as she left the attic. Soon she returned with a cloth and a bottle. "Watch," she instructed, and she began cleaning one of the spoons. She rubbed harder.

"That looks great now!" exclaimed Shawn.

Mom nodded. "If it's used and polished now and then, it will continue to look great." After a moment she added, "The Christian life has something in common with silver. They both lose their shine if they're neglected. They may even seem dull."

Shawn grinned. "Mom, you can get a lesson out of anything," he said. "Okay . . . silver needs to be polished and used to keep it shiny. What do Christians need?"

Mom smiled. "To be polished and used," she said. "We need the 'polish'-the power-of the Holy Spirit, and God has already given us that. Then as we yield to Him and use the gifts and abilities God has given us, and as we give testimony as to what He has done in our lives, we will shine for Him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your Christian witness bright and shiny? There's a lot of darkness-a lot of sin-in the world around you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, live as God wants you to and regularly use the gifts He has given you to serve Him and others. Then your life will shine for Him.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's estimated that there are over six and a half million latchkey kids in the United States," said Mrs. Richards, Cathy's teacher. "A latchkey kid is one who is home without adults for some time each day."

Cathy sighed. She knew what a latchkey kid was-she was one. Each day after school, she was alone for an hour, and knowing that there were six million other kids in the same situation didn't make her feel any less lonely or afraid! She still had to face that empty house.

Mrs. Richards went on talking. "Many of these children are fearful, but they don't want to tell their parents. They feel it's babyish to be afraid, so they don't want to admit that they're scared."

That's exactly how I feel, thought Cathy. But how can I help it? After all, I'm twelve years old already. I should be able to be at home by myself without jumping at every little noise!

"If you're in this situation, don't hesitate to talk to your parents or another adult," Mrs. Richards concluded as the bell rang.

As Cathy headed home that afternoon, she dreaded going into the empty house. I guess I should tell someone I'm scared, she thought. So as Cathy helped her mother that evening, she told her what Mrs. Richards had said. "I do hate coming home alone," admitted Cathy.

"Oh, honey, I'm glad you brought that up," said Mom. "I've been thinking about it, too, but I didn't realize it bothered you. I'm sorry it's necessary for me to get home later than you. You do know that you can call me at any time, don't you?" Cathy nodded. "Why don't you call me every day when you get home?" suggested Mom. "Would that help a little?"

Cathy brightened. "I'd like that," she said.

Mom hung up the dish towel and hugged Cathy. "There's someone else you can call on every day, too," said Mom. "I love you so very much, but the Lord loves you even more. He promises to be with you, and He's there when you feel lonely and frightened. You can talk to Him about your fears." Cathy nodded. Tomorrow, she thought, I'll call Mom, and I'll talk to God about being scared, too.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is it necessary for you to be alone sometimes? Are you scared when you're alone? Talk to God about it. He is always willing to listen to you. He has promised to be with His children all the time, and He can help you to be courageous and unafraid.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Chronicles 28:20)
"The Lord God . . .  will be with thee; He will not fail thee nor forsake thee."