Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Chris and his father were out walking when Dad stopped to chat with a man who was working on a car. While they talked, Chris noticed a very large dog in the yard behind the house. "Hey, there," he called. "You look like a friendly guy." The dog ignored him, so he opened the gate and went into the yard. As he approached the dog, he heard a fierce growl. No longer friendly-looking, the dog was coming toward him!

Chris turned and started running, and the dog chased him, barking furiously! Frightened, Chris ran between the trees and around bushes-trying to escape the dog. He heard the man calling the dog. Then he heard Dad's voice. "Over here, Son! Here's the gate!" Immediately, Chris headed toward his father. As he ran through the gate, the dog was almost at his heels. Dad slammed the gate shut before the dog could follow.

"Whew! That was close!" gasped Chris as the owner came up. "I'm sorry," added Chris. "I shouldn't have gone in there."

Soon Dad and Chris were on their way again. "I don't think I would ever have gotten away from that dog if you hadn't stood by the gate and opened it for me. I couldn't even think where the gate was, but when I heard you yell, I just ran in that direction and saw it," said Chris. He looked at Dad. "I sure was glad to find the way out."

Dad smiled. "This whole thing reminds me of the question
you asked last night about why Christians can't stop sinning," he said. "You
were running from the dog, and Christians have to run from sin. There was a way
out for you, and there's a way out when we're tempted to sin, too. You ran
toward me, and Christians need to think about the Lord Jesus and the kind of
person He is. They need to run toward the goal of becoming like Him. If they
look to Him and follow Him, He shows them how to escape the
temptation."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find it hard to resist temptation to sin? Keep looking to Jesus as a positive example of righteousness, and obey the commandments in His Word. As you follow Him, He'll show you the "gate"-the way to escape temptation!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Corinthians 10:13)
"God...will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape."

[Soldier4Christ]

At her Sunday school class skating party, Janie clung to the handrail when she first entered the rink. She was skating for the first time. It looked so easy, but she found it to be harder than it looked. She finally let go of the rail and eased out onto the floor. She was doing quite well, when her feet suddenly seemed to roll right out from under her, and she fell. "Whoa!" she exclaimed. She got up slowly, went back to the handrail, and hung on once more.

After a while, Janie ventured out onto the floor again. As kids went whizzing past her, she lost her balance and down she went. She got up slowly, skated a short distance, and then . . . oops! She fell again . . . and again . . . and again! Janie fearfully headed for a bench and sat down-and stayed there. "Need some help?" asked Mrs. Bell, her teacher.

Janie shook her head. "It's no use. I keep falling," she said with a sigh.

"Skating takes practice," said Mrs. Bell. "Forget about falling, and keep trying. I'm sure you can learn to do it." Janie wasn't so sure, but she agreed to try again, and by the time the party was over, she was doing much better and having a great time.

In Sunday school the next day, Mrs. Bell smiled at Janie. "As I watched you learn to skate yesterday, it made me think of our lesson for today," said Mrs. Bell. "It's about how we can have victory over sin, and you gave us an illustration of what we need to do."

"Really?" asked Janie. "What did I do?"

"Even though you fell several times, you didn't just sit
around and feel bad about it. You got up and went on learning to skate," replied
Mrs. Bell. "That's what we need to do when we sin. We should feel bad about it
and confess it to the Lord, but then we need to forget it and go on living for
Him. He forgives us-and He forgets it! We must, too. We shouldn't let sin defeat
us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ask God's forgiveness several times before you feel like you're really forgiven? If you're truly sorry for something you've done and confess it to God, He promises to forgive you. Believe that He does what He says He will do. Don't keep dwelling on what you've done wrong. Forget those sins that you've confessed, and go on to serve the Lord.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 3:13-14)
"Forgetting those things which are behind...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

[Soldier4Christ]

 Emma's Chocolates

"Mom, I asked my friend Renee if she was a Christian," said Sarah as she and her mother were relaxing on the back porch. "She thinks she is because she goes to church all the time. I told her that didn't make her a Christian, but she didn't believe me. I didn't know what to say."

"It's often hard to convince people that going to church doesn't make them Christians," said Mom, "but don't give up. Try to help her see that it's not what we do that makes us Christians, it's what Jesus did for us when He took our sins upon Himself and died on the cross."

"Okay, Mom." Sarah nodded. "I'll keep praying for Renee and reminding her that she needs Jesus, not just a church. It's just hard to know what to say because she thinks she's doing the right thing."

Sarah's little sister, who had been playing in the back yard, came up to the porch. In her hand, she clutched a pretty box. "Mommy, I have some chocolate candy for you," offered Emma. She held out the box.

"Thank you, sweetie," said Mom, taking something from the box.

"You can have one, too," Emma told her big sister, passing her the box.

Sarah stretched out her hand to take one. She had seen that the "chocolate" Mom took was really a stone, but she decided to pretend along with Emma and Mom. "Are these chocolates any good?" Sarah asked, looking at the stone she had taken from the box. "They seem awfully hard. Maybe they're stale."

"They're good chocolates!" insisted Emma. "Look, Sarah!" With a grubby little finger, she pointed to the pictures of big creamy-looking chocolates on the cover of the box. Then she turned and ran down the porch steps.

Sarah laughed. "I hope Emma knows that putting stones inside a chocolate box doesn't make them turn into chocolates!" she said.

"Just like putting a person inside a church doesn't make him a Christian!" said Mom quickly. "Maybe you should tell Renee about Emma's chocolates."

"Good idea!" agreed Sarah. "Maybe it would help her understand that being in church is fine, but to become a Christian, she needs to trust in Jesus."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a Christian? Did you answer "yes" because you go to church? Attending church is a good thing, and Christians should go to church to worship God and fellowship with other Christians. But the Bible says you are not saved by any good things you do. Jesus, who is perfect, died for the bad things you have done. You need His righteousness-His goodness-to cover your sins and change you into a child of God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. Titus 3:5

[Soldier4Christ]

ABC's of Salvation

A is for Admit

Admit you're a sinner. Everyone has done things that displease a Holy God.  No one can live up to His standards.  He says no sin can enter heaven.  Something must be done to get rid of your sin.

Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Revelation 21:27 “There shall by no means enter it (heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

B is for Believe
Believe Jesus died on the cross for you.  God loves you and wants you to become His child.  He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to shed His blood to save you from your sins.  He took your place on the cross, and suffered the punishment you deserve.  Believe that He died for you, was buried, and rose again on the third day.

1 Peter 2:24 “Who Himself (Jesus) bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross), that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.”

Colossians 1:14 “In whom (Jesus) we have redemption (salvation) through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

C is for Confess
Confess your sinfulness to God, and turn from it.  Call upon Jesus to save you-trust in Him as your Savior from sin.  This may be a simple but sincere cry from your heart, or it may be expressed out loud.

Luke 18:13 “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe in Jesus and have placed your faith and trust in Him, God has forgiven you.  Then you, along with all the others who believe in Jesus, will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Rainy Day Riddle

It was raining, and Sam was bored. "Grandpa, this weather has ruined our fishing," he complained. "What can I do now?"

Grandpa settled back in his rocker. "Know any good riddles?" he asked.

Sam thought for a minute. "What is black and white and red all over?"

Grandpa snapped his finger. "A newspaper," he said.

"Nope." Sam grinned as he shook his head. "It's an embarrassed zebra." Grandpa laughed. "I know another one," said Sam. "What happens to a blue shoe that is thrown into the Red Sea?"

"Well . . . I believe blue and red mixed together make purple," said Grandpa, "so I guess the shoe turns purple."

"No, it gets wet," said Sam. They laughed together, and then Sam asked, "Do you know any riddles, Grandpa?"

"Well . . . let's see." Grandpa reached into his pocket, pulled out his hand, and held out a closed fist. "In my hand there is something no one on earth has ever seen," he said. "The farmer who grew it, the grocer who sold it, your grandma who bought it-none of them has seen it. I have it in my hand, but I've never seen it, either."

"Aw, that can't be!" protested Sam. "Let me see it." Grandpa opened his hand. "It's a peanut!" exclaimed Sam. "Lots of people saw that."

"Lots of people have seen this peanut shell, but who has ever seen the peanut inside the shell?" asked Grandpa. Sam hadn't thought of that. "There is one Person who knows exactly what this peanut looks like, though," added Grandpa. "Do you know who that is, Sam?"

"God!" answered Sam promptly. "He knows everything, doesn't He?"

Grandpa nodded. "He sure does. He even knows what you're feeling and thinking. God loves you, and His love is very, very special because He knows you so well."

"He knows I needed a riddle to laugh about on a rainy day like this," agreed Sam. He eyed the peanut. "And He knows I'm hungry."

Grandpa laughed and tossed him the peanut.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever feel alone? Disappointed? Like no one understands you? God does. He knows you better than anyone else does. He even knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows and shares your happy times, and He also feels your pain and your loneliness. He cares when you hurt. Aren't you glad you can always count on Him?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Tom, looking down as he took the last bite of his toast. His sister Angela had just pointed out that his socks didn't match. "Oh, well, nobody will notice," Tom decided.

"I'll tell them," teased Angela.

"Go ahead. I don't care," replied Tom, but he dashed back to his room to change socks.

"Guess what!" exclaimed Angela when Tom returned. "There was a water pipe break at school, so they canceled school for the day."

Tom didn't see the twinkle in his sister's eye! "All right!" he exclaimed. "Just like last week! I'm going back to bed and . . ." His voice trailed off as his sister interrupted him.

"Actually, it was last week that it happened. April Fool!" said Angela with a giggle.

Tom grinned good-naturedly. "Just you wait, Sis. I'll get you back!" he promised.

Later that day Tom saw his his sister in the hall between classes. "Want to hear some good news?" he asked her. "Remember saying that you hoped your class would get the highest math score of all the city schools? Well . . ."

This time it was Angela who missed the twinkling eyes. "And we got it?" she asked excitedly. "Wow! How did you find . . ." Angela stopped. "Tom Bellamy! Are you paying me back for the joke I played on you this morning?"

"Yep!" said Tom. "Caught you, too! April Fool!" They both laughed.

When Tom and Angela told their parents about the April Fool jokes, Mom smiled. "You both were easily tricked into believing something you really wanted to believe," she said. "That's interesting."

Dad nodded. "Maybe it should remind us that it's important to make sure that what we believe is true-especially when it comes to spiritual things," he said. "Satan is a great deceiver. The Bible warns us not to be fooled by him. We need to be careful to believe only the truth-not just what we want to believe."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has Satan used people to tell you untrue things, like that "little" wrong things you do don't matter? That it's not important to witness for Jesus? Or even that you're actually pretty good and can earn your own way to heaven? Don't be fooled. Check what you hear with what God says in His Word.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:6)
"Let no one deceive you with empty words."

[Soldier4Christ]

"What is it like in the jungle?" asked Justin when Dr. Cox, a missionary on furlough from Africa, came to visit one evening. "I'll bet it's exciting, isn't it?"

Justin's sister Lisa shuddered. "I think it would be scary with all those lions and snakes and elephants."

"If a big lion came at me, I'd just shoot him with a high-powered rifle!" boasted Justin. "Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Dr. Cox laughed. "I'm glad you're so brave, Justin," he said, "but actually, our biggest enemies in the jungle are not lions or elephants. Our worst enemies are mosquitoes."

"Mosquitoes?" scoffed Justin. He could hardly believe it. "How can you even compare a little, tiny mosquito with a big, fierce lion? Lions are mean and have big teeth and claws. They can kill people!"

"It's true that occasionally someone is attacked by a lion," responded the doctor, "but it doesn't happen very often. Mosquitoes carry malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases. They kill far more people than the big animals do. Some missionaries have had to leave the field because of a tiny mosquito."

 "I didn't think of that," said Justin. He paused, then grinned. "Okay. If I ever get to Africa, I'll watch out for those really dangerous animals-the mosquitoes!"

Dr. Cox smiled. "You be sure to do that," he said, "but there are little things you need to watch out for here at home, too." Justin looked thoughtful. "Often it's not big things like serious sickness or money problems that cause us to be discouraged in our Christian lives," continued Dr. Cox. "It's little things like getting bored or not getting along with people. Those small things can cause great harm."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
You may think you'd be willing to fight great battles for Jesus' sake, but how are you handling the "little" problems in your life-friends who tease you, tough homework assignments, a brother or sister who annoys you, or a parent or teacher who just doesn't seem to understand you? Don't let any tiny little thing keep you from pleasing God in the way you live.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:1)
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Ow! It hurts!" exclaimed Matt through clenched teeth as he sat on the school playground. "My arm hurts!"

Rafael looked toward the swings and saw Matt biting his lip as he tried to squeeze tears back into his eyes. Rafael jumped off the monkey bars and ran to his friend. "Did you fall, Matt?" he asked. Matt nodded and clutched his injured arm. "Come on. I'll take you to the nurse." Rafael took Matt's good arm and they started toward the school building. Soon Matt was on his way to the medical center, where a cast was put on his arm.

That evening Rafael told his dad about Matt. "Isn't Matt the friend you were concerned about last week?" asked Dad. "The one who doesn't go to church or Sunday school?" Rafael nodded. "Have you invited him to come with you?" asked Dad.

Rafael shook his head. "He says his dad doesn't believe in God and thinks church is for sissies," explained Rafael. "I was afraid Matt would laugh at me for going."

"Oh, I don't know . . . I guess you could be right about that," said Dad, "but wouldn't you like to try to get him to come anyway?"

"I . . . I guess I could try," said Rafael. "I'll see if he feels good enough to come this week."

"Good." Dad nodded. "Matt is your friend and you took him to the nurse's office right away because you care about him. I'm so glad you also care enough to risk being laughed at by inviting him to Sunday school. Watch for a chance to give him your own testimony, too, okay?" Rafael nodded. "Let's pray right now and ask God to show you a way to bring your friend to Jesus, shall we?" Together Rafael and his dad bowed their heads to pray.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
You would help a friend who was physically hurt, wouldn't you? It's sometimes harder to know when people hurt spiritually, but if they don't know Jesus, their need is great. When Jesus lived on earth, He was concerned about both the physical and spiritual condition of people. You should be, too. Ask God to show you how to help your friends learn about Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Matthew 28:19)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, why am I so little?" asked Todd. He put down his pencil and scowled in disgust at his small hands.

"Todd, you're only ten," his mother said. "You still have a lot of growing to do."

"I know, Mom, but while I'm growing, all my friends will be growing, too. They'll always be bigger than I am!" Todd grumbled.

"Not necessarily," said Mom, "but your size isn't the most important thing."

"No, but when we play baseball or football or anything, I always get knocked over because I'm so small," complained Todd. "None of the kids want me on their team. They always want the bigger kids."

"You don't think God made a mistake when He made you, do you?" asked Mom. "And that He didn't do a good job?"

"Mom!" exclaimed Todd. "I didn't say that!"

Mom smiled and gave him a hug. "I hope you never think that, either," she said. "God made you the way you are. He loves you just as you are, and Dad and I do, too. But it's not the outside of a person that really matters, you know. It's the inside-your thoughts and feelings and attitudes."

Todd sighed. "I suppose, but . . ." Suddenly he smiled. "Okay, I'll give up trying to be tall on the outside and start trying to be tall on the inside."

"And how will you do that?" asked Mom. "Do you have a plan?"

"Well . . . how about if I work hard and do my best in school and . . . and try to be more helpful?" suggested Todd. "I can learn Bible verses and Bible stories so I'll know more about God, too."

"Good for you!" approved Mom, smiling. "Don't just read those verses to learn about God-obey Him, too. And don't forget that your dad and I-and especially God-will always love you, no matter how big or small you are."

Todd grinned. "Small? Who said I'll be small? I'm planning to grow about ten feet tall-inside, anyway!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever wished you were taller? Or prettier? Or had brown eyes instead of green or blue ones? God made you the way you are, and He never makes mistakes. Don't worry so much about how you look on the outside. Work on growing and being beautiful on the inside. Learn more about God, and learn to be like Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 16:7)
"The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Dad, you won't believe what happened at school!" exclaimed Letha. She ran ahead of her brother and plopped her school bag onto the kitchen table.

"Tell me about it," said Dad. He reached for glasses as he asked, "Do you want a glass of milk?"

"No, thank you," said Dylan. "I've seen all the milk I want for today."

"Me, too," agreed Letha. "I'd like juice instead, please." She grinned at her brother. "Do you remember that Dylan's been complaining about a funny smell at school, Dad?"

"Around his locker?" asked Dad. "Yes, I remember." He looked at Dylan. "Grant's locker is next to yours, and you think he needs to clean it out because everyone in that area is complaining, right? Did you find out what he had in it that was causing the problem?"

"It was milk!" Letha blurted out. "But it wasn't Grant's. It was Dylan's. He left a half-full carton of milk in his locker."

"I forgot about it," explained Dylan. "I set it on the shelf in my locker a week or two ago, and it got shoved way back behind some other stuff."

"So it turned sour," said Dad.

"Yes, and did it ever stink!" Letha hurried to tell Dad the whole story. "I can't believe Dylan didn't notice that the smell was worse when he opened his locker door," she finished.

Dylan was embarrassed. "I thought it was Grant's fault, but it was my fault all the time," he admitted. "I should have checked my own locker."

"So you had some smelly milk, and you made a smelly judgment," observed Dad. "Keep what happened in mind whenever you're tempted to judge others. Remember that we should each look at our own life and make sure it's in order instead of pointing a finger at someone else."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you regularly examining your own life to see if God is speaking to you about something? Do you leave the judging of others to God? Concentrate on living a life that is pleasing to God, and leave judgment to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (James 4:12)
"Who are you to judge another?"

[Soldier4Christ]

Emma really meant it when she decided to have a "quiet time" with God each day. She had made the same decision before, but she had failed miserably in doing it. I'll do better this time, she told herself. She started out well, but before long, she often forgot. "I really mean to read my Bible and pray every day, but half the time, I forget," Emma confided to her mother.

"Why not try setting aside a few minutes the first thing in the morning-before you do anything else each day," suggested Mom.

"I've tried that," said Emma, "but sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough time before I have to get off to school."

"And you've tried other times as well?" asked Mom.

Emma nodded. "Yes, but after a few days, I either get too busy or forget."

Mom thought for a moment. "Do you give thanks before you eat?"

"Of course," said Emma, a little surprised her mother would ask that. At their home, prayer was a very important part of the meal.

"Why do you suppose you have time-and you remember-to thank God for your food?" Mom asked.

"I . . . I don't know." Emma hadn't thought about that before. "We just always do it, that's all."

"Exactly!" Mom nodded. "It's a habit, isn't it? I trust it's not just a habit, but that you sincerely thank God for the food He has provided. Still, it is a habit-and a very good one, too. I think you can also establish a habit of spending time with God daily, whether it's the first thing in the morning or after school or at bed time. If you miss a day or two, don't quit. Start over. Keep at it until it becomes a natural part of your life."

"Okay," agreed Emma. She opened a drawer and took out a blank piece of paper. "Maybe it will help if I make a chart and put a checkmark on the days I remember. You can ask me about it once or twice a week, too-okay, Mom?"

"Good idea," agreed Mom. "I'll do that."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a regular time to read God's Word and pray? This should be a normal, everyday event. If you find yourself forgetting or getting out of the habit, ask someone to check up on you. You might want to check up on yourself, too, by keeping a chart. Giving thanks at mealtime is a good habit, and having a daily time with God is, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Luke 11:1)
"Lord, teach us to pray."

[Soldier4Christ]

Jill and David sprawled lazily on the floor as they watched cartoons. "Think Mom would let us go hang out at the mall?" asked Jill.

David shook his head. "We got into trouble last time we did that," he said. Just then Mom came in and sank wearily into an easy chair. David glanced at her. "What's the matter, Mom?" he asked. "You look tired."

Mom sighed. "As a matter of fact," she said, "I've been baking pies, doing laundry, and ironing your clothes. I should have asked you to help."

Jill yawned. "Well, I'm tired, too."

"Me, too," agreed David glumly, "and I'm bored."

Mom looked at them thoughtfully. "My grandmother used to say, 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop, and idle hands are his tools.' I think she was right."

"What does that mean?" asked Jill.

"It means that if you don't keep busy doing worthwhile things, Satan will tempt you to do things that are worthless," explained Mom. "It's something like . . . well . . . David, remember when I made you clean your dresser drawers?"

David nodded. "I threw out so much stuff that I had a whole drawer left with nothing to put in it."

"I suggested you take some of your models out of the closet and keep them in that drawer," Mom reminded him, "but when I opened the drawer this morning, I found it stuffed with papers, dirty socks, and just plain junk!"

David frowned. "Sorry, Mom," he murmured.

"Since you didn't fill that drawer with good things, it got filled with junk," said Mom, "and when you don't fill your hours with work or other good, wholesome things, Satan will fill tempt you to fill your 'empty' time with all kinds of junk."

Jill got up. "Come on, David. We've watched enough," she said. "Let's turn this off and help Mom."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you watch TV more than you should, gossip on the phone, or waste time in other ways just because you're bored? It's good to have some time for rest and relaxation, but be sure you don't let Satan use any of your time for his "workshop." Fill even "idle" time with good things-wholesome fun and activities. Then you won't have time to be bored or get into trouble!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 12:11)
"(Be) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!" cried Tanya when she heard they would be having house guests. "Do the Wilsons have to stay here? All we ever do is have people stay with us. If it's not missionaries, it's visiting preachers-or even complete strangers, like those people who got stranded in the snow storm last winter!"

"I thought you enjoyed having company," said Mom.

"Well, sure, once in a while," Tanya admitted. "But most families don't have people over as often as we do."

"That's part of our ministry," said Dad, who had come into the room.

"Our ministry?" Tanya asked. "I don't get it."

"Your mother and I had hoped to serve God on a foreign mission field, remember? Since our health didn't permit that, we told the Lord we'd open our home to returning missionaries and other people whenever we could," explained Dad. "You play a part in that ministry, too."

"Having company is a ministry?" asked Tanya. That was a new thought to her. "I thought it was just doing more dishes or giving up my bedroom to guests. Does the Bible say you're supposed to have company?"

Mom smiled. "Not in those exact words," she said, "but it does say we should show hospitality, which means to be cordial to guests. Sometimes that involves sharing our house and dinner with others. And in Hebrews 13, it says . . ." Mom paused and picked up her Bible. She opened it, and read, "Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels."

Tanya took a deep breath. "Angels!" She shook her head. "I didn't know the Bible said anything about having company." Then she grinned. "I don't suppose the Wilsons are angels," she added, "but . . . okay, what time are they coming? I'll get my room ready." She had a good feeling inside as she spoke.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you enjoy having company? God wants you to share what you have with others. When you willingly and cheerfully help prepare meals, wash extra dishes, or give up your room to guests-either those of your parents or your own-you are following God's instructions to be hospitable.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 4:9)
"Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Goodbye, Mrs. Nelson." Brad hopped out of the van. "Call me later, Eric."

"Okay," Eric replied as he moved into the front seat beside his mother. "That was fun!" he told her. "I wish we could have a Sunday school class picnic every Saturday."

"I don't." Mom grinned wearily. "After all the work that was involved, I'm exhausted."

As they turned into the driveway, Eric's dad came out of the house. He opened the car door. "Let me carry in the left-overs-if there are any," he said with a grin. "Did everyone have a good time?"

"I suppose they did," replied Mom as she handed Eric the volleyball equipment, "but nobody said thank you. I picked them up, planned the games, furnished the food, and then took them back home. And not one thanked me. I can hardly believe it."

"They forgot, Mom." Eric defended his friends. "They had such a good time-they just forgot to thank you. They think you're a great teacher."

"Where do you want this ice chest?" asked Dad.

"Just set it on the cupboard," Mom replied. "I'll take care of it later." She frowned. "I really am concerned about the poor manners of the kids in my class."

Eric looked at her and grinned. "Aren't you forgetting something, Mom?"

Mom looked puzzled. "I don't think so. You brought in the games, and Dad brought in the ice chest and the rest of the stuff."

"I know." Eric chuckled. "And you forgot to thank us," he teased.

Mom looked startled, and then she laughed with her husband and son. "I should practice what I preach," she said. At that moment the telephone rang, and Mom answered it. "Hello, this is Mrs. Nelson. . . . Oh, Brad, you're very welcome. I'm glad you had a good time. I did, too. . . . Yes, and thank you for calling. 'Bye." Mom smiled as she hung up the phone.

Dad winked at Eric. "Looks like one Junior returned to say thanks."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have trouble remembering to say thank you? What can you do to remind yourself? Perhaps tie a string around your finger for one whole day? Or report to Mom or Dad on how you did for a few days? While you're minding your manners, don't forget how much the Lord Jesus has done for you. Why not stop right now and tell Him thanks?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:20)
"Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, Mom, ple-e-ease!" begged Alison as she sat at the kitchen table looking at a catalog. "Please get me one of these cool sweatshirts! Everyone at school has one!" As she spoke, they heard a loud cry and her little brother came in from outside.

"I got hurt at Danny's house," sobbed Jimmy. "I pinched my finger, and it hurts so bad!"

"Which finger is it?" asked Mom sympathetically.

Jimmy paused, looked at his hand, and wiggled his fingers. "I can't remember," he said, looking surprised. "I guess it doesn't hurt anymore!" Grinning, he turned and went back outside to play with his friends.

Mom smiled as they watched him go, and Alison burst out laughing. "Some hurt!" she exclaimed. "He couldn't even remember which finger was pinched!"

Mom turned her smile in Alison's direction and asked, "Do you remember last September, when you said you would 'just die' unless I bought something you thought you needed?"

"Ah . . . not really." Alison shrugged. "What was it I wanted?"

"It was a pair of shoes-a kind you said everyone was wearing," Mom reminded her. "The ones I bought you looked about the same but cost half as much. You complained for a week or two. Then you dropped the subject. Why?"

Alison blushed. "I guess I forgot about it," she admitted. She frowned. "You're saying that if I don't get this sweatshirt now, I'll eventually forget how much I wanted it, too, right?"

"Something like that," Mom replied. "Like Jimmy, you need to learn that your 'hurt' is not as bad as you think it is. I have a feeling that if you wait a little while, the 'pain' will go away by itself! It's good to learn what the Apostle Paul learned-to be content with what you have."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there things you feel you simply must have in order to be happy? Think again! Satan wants you to be greedy and covetous, but Jesus wants you to be content with what you have. If you know Him as Savior and Lord, you have all you need to make you truly happy.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Philippians 4:11)
"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."