Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Jason knelt behind a teacher's car in the school parking lot. The morning bell had rung and he knew he would be late, but he didn't care. Mike's late so often, he thought, and he won't tell me why. I'm going to see if I can find out. His eyes searched the playground. Then he saw what he was looking for. An eighth grader had Mike by the shoulder and was saying something. He shoved Mike against the wall and threatened Mike with his fist. Reluctantly, Mike finally reached into his pocket, pulled out money, and dropped it in the boy's outstretched hand. The bigger boy shoved Mike again and took off running.

"That big bully!" sputtered Jason softly. Out of his backpack, he pulled a notebook and pen. Following his school's anti-bullying guidelines, he noted: Mike Oates, 6th grader, lunch money stolen, Wed. at 8:15 along parking lot brick wall, by 8th grader, black hair, dark blue coat. I can identify. Jason Reynolds, 6th grade.

Mike was slowly heading toward the school door, and Jason ran to catch up. "Hey, what are you doing here?" asked Mike in amazement.

"I saw that bully! Why didn't you tell me what was happening?" demanded Jason. "Why didn't you tell the principal?"

"He says he'll really hurt me bad if I tell anybody," murmured Mike.

"Well, you don't have to tell. I'll tell," replied Jason. He took the note he had written and headed to the principal's office.

"Aren't you afraid that kid will get you?" asked Mike.

"Mrs. Prince won't put up with bullying," Jason told him. "We'll tell a bunch of other kids, too, and if Mr. Bully knows we won't keep quiet about it and that everybody is against him, I don't think I'll have to worry. And besides, I . . ." Jason hesitated. "Remember the Bible story of David and Goliath? That giant was one big bully, but God helped David fight against him."  Jason grinned as he added, "I'm sure He'll take care of me, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is bullying going on in your school? Have you talked to your teachers and principal about it? Have you talked to your friends? Most of all, have you talked to God and asked Him to help you know what to do? Be encouraged. You're not alone; the Lord is with you always. With His help, dare to take a stand against bullying.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Be strong and of good courage: be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

[Soldier4Christ]

"That's the biggest turtle I've ever seen!" exclaimed Logan. His family had moved to a new home way out in the country, and a huge turtle often walked around the rocks and brush right in their very own back yard!

Logan bent down and tried to get the turtle to eat some leaves. "Hey! Come back here!" exclaimed Logan when instead of eating, the turtle turned slowly and headed for the woods. Logan ran in front of him to keep him from leaving, but the big creature only went in another direction. "Why won't he take this food?" Logan asked. "He keeps turning away."

"I guess he just misunderstands your actions," Dad replied. "Maybe he thinks you'll hurt him."

"That's dumb," grumbled Logan. "Anybody could see I was giving him food."

A little smile appeared on Dad's face. "He sort of reminds me of some Christians I know," he said.

"Christians!" exclaimed Logan. "How?"

"Well, sometimes when God is trying to help one of His children by leading in a certain direction, the person misunderstands and insists on following the path he's planned himself-kind of like what the turtle is doing," explained Dad. "Other times, Christians grumble about circumstances God allows in their lives."

Logan knew he didn't always understand why God allowed certain things to happen. He thought of the time Aunt Jennifer got sick. When he'd asked her why God would treat a good missionary that way, she had told him God was teaching her lessons she might not have learned if she had not been bedridden. "When you're flat on your back," she had said, "there's only one direction to look, and that's up. God knew I had been very busy and needed some time just to listen to Him."

Logan watched as the turtle disappeared into the wooded area near the swamp. "Come again," he called, "and thanks for the lesson."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get angry or irritable when things don't go the way you want them to? Do you question God's judgment? Maybe He's trying to teach you a lesson you haven't been willing to learn before. He may use your parents, your teachers, or even some difficult experience to teach you to trust Him and follow His will for your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

[Soldier4Christ]

Oh, how Travis wished he had listened to his mother when she told him not to jump his bike over the ramp he had built with planks of wood-but jumping his bike was fun! I'll do it just one more time, he thought when Mom had gone into the house. Mom said she had to do some washing, and there's now way she can see me from the laundry room. So Travis had tried it again. The planks had shot up as he hit the ramp, and then all he could remember was the pain!

   "Mom, I'm so sorry," he cried after the doctor set the two broken bones in his arm. "I shouldn't have disobeyed you."

   "That's true," replied Mom gently. "I forgive you, but don't forget-I'm not the only one you disobeyed. You also disobeyed God, and you need to ask His forgiveness, too." Travis nodded. After he and Mom prayed together, he felt much better, knowing he was forgiven.

   The next morning Travis was discouraged. The pain in his arm had kept him awake much of the night. "I can't stand this," he complained to his mother. "My arm hurts so bad. I've prayed and prayed that God would take the pain away, but He doesn't." He sighed. "If He forgave me for disobeying, why doesn't He heal the pain?"

   "Oh, Travis, when we're sorry and confess our sin, God always is willing to forgive us, but He doesn't always take away the consequences of sin," explained Mom. "Because God is a God of justice, He sometimes allows us to face those consequences. He knows we'll learn our lesson better by having to suffer because of what we've done. The pain in your arm will eventually ease, but just now God may want you to remember that it costs something when you disobey."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever had to face the nasty consequences of sin? Perhaps you've had to take a zero on a test even though you confessed that you cheated. Or perhaps you've disobeyed your parents and suffered physical injury-even a permanent injury. God always forgives confessed sin, but He does not always remove the consequences!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne." Psalm 89:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Ka-thump! "What's that noise?" asked Carlos as he and Andrew played in Andrew's living room.

"Something fell down the chimney!" shouted Andrew. He ran to the fireplace and peered up. Jumping back, he gasped, "There's a squirrel sitting on the soot shelf in there. He was staring at me." He frowned. "He can't stay there-he'd get burned when we have a fire."

"What should we do?" asked Carlos. "If we open the screen and try to chase him out, he'll probably run all over and get soot on the furniture and stuff."

"If we leave him alone, he might squeeze out anyway," replied Andrew. "So . . . since Mom's gone to the grocery store, we'll have to drag him out ourselves. We can do it, but squirrels can be mean when they're cornered." He glanced down at his T-shirt and shorts. "Let's put on heavier clothes."

The boys ran to the hall closet and put on long coats, heavy mittens, and boots. Andrew wore a ski mask and gave Carlos his catcher's mask. They took a fish net, went to the fireplace, and cautiously opened the screen just a little. Andrew raised the net toward the squirrel. With a quick movement, he whipped it over the little animal. The scared little squirrel squirmed and scratched as Andrew carried him outside. Andrew shook the net open and the squirrel escaped. Once free, the quivering mass of fur shot up the nearest tree. Safe on a limb, he clacked angrily at the boys.

"He acts like we're his enemies," said Carlos, "and all we did was rescue him so he can run free!"

"Yeah. He didn't even know he was in danger," said Andrew. "He wanted to stay in that dirty, dark old fireplace."

Just then the boys heard a loud snicker. Some kids on bikes were pointing at them and laughing. Andrew and Carlos looked at each other and grinned. It was a hot summer day, but they were dressed more like it was the middle of winter! As they dashed into the house, they were laughing, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that life without the Lord is like living on the "soot shelf"-existing in a dark, dirty place and in danger of hell? Jesus wants to rescue you-to set you free from sin and its penalty. Following Him is the greatest adventure in the world.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36

[Soldier4Christ]

It was Makenna's birthday. As she stared at her present-her very first bike-her parents and big brother Isaac were grinning at her. She tried to smile. "You can learn to ride it right after breakfast," said Mom. "Okay?" Makenna nodded, but how she wished they had given her something else!

When Mom and Dad went inside, Isaac sat down on the steps beside Makenna. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," murmured Makenna, but she looked unhappy. She was afraid to ride a bike. When she visited her cousins a year ago, she had tried, but she had fallen and broken her ankle. She was sure Isaac knew she was afraid.

Isaac smiled. "I'll help you learn to ride," he offered. "You'll learn fast." He put an arm around her, and Makenna was glad he wasn't teasing her.

"I'll fall again, Isaac," said Makenna, tears in her eyes.

"Probably," agreed Isaac. "I fell a lot when I learned to ride, too-but I kept trying. It's okay to be afraid, Makenna."

"You weren't afraid to learn," replied Makenna.

"No, I wasn't," admitted Isaac. "But do you remember when Mom and Dad took us horseback riding last year?"

"Yes!" Makenna smiled. "That was fun!"

"Well, I was really scared then," said Isaac. "I tried not to show it, but I had to ask God to help me get over being scared."

"But . . . but does He care about little stuff like that?" Makenna asked.

"Remember the verses Dad read the other night about how God takes care of the birds and lilies in the field? And how about our hair?" asked Isaac. "God even knows how many hairs are on our heads! Those things are small, too-really small! But not too small for Him to care for."

Makenna smiled. "Okay, Isaac. I'll ask Jesus to help me not be afraid," she said, and she did. She felt better. Her fear wasn't gone completely, but she knew Jesus would help her.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you talk to God about everything? Do you remember that nothing is too small a matter to talk to Him about? He's interested in every detail of your life. Tell Him your hopes and your fears. Trust Him to help with even your smallest concerns.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore." Luke 12:7

[Soldier4Christ]

"Better get your workbook for Bible Club finished," suggested Gabriella's mother. "You haven't done that yet, have you?"

"No." Gabriella shrugged. "I left my Bible in my Sunday school room at church."

"There are other Bibles in the house," Mom reminded her.

"I know, but I don't feel like looking up the answers right now. I'll do them later." Gabriella was glad the mailman came just then. It gave her an excuse to end the conversation. She hurried to the front door and picked up the pile of mail. "Oh, Mom, look! Here's a letter from the Bryants, and there's a special note on the back of the envelope that says, 'Good news inside.' May I open it?" The Bryant family and the Lopez family had been close friends for a long time. It had been very difficult for both families when Mr. Bryant had been transferred to Oregon. But now Gabriella was excited. "Maybe the good news means they're coming to visit!" she suggested.

"A letter from the Bryants?" Mom shrugged. "Maybe I'll have time to read it later." She took the letter and set it on the kitchen counter.

"Later? But why not now?" Gabriella asked.

"Well, I want to sweep the floor right now, and then I want to finish the book I've been reading," said Mom. "After that, it will be time to start supper. Maybe I can read the letter tonight." Gabriella looked at her mother in surprise. Mom smiled. "Why do you find that strange?" she asked. "You have a letter containing good news, too, but you're in no hurry to read it."

"I have a letter?" asked Gabriella. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the Bible," said Mom. "It's God's letter to you, yet you keep postponing the time when you'll read and study it."

"Oh-h-h," murmured Gabriella. She grinned at Mom. "I'll go do those questions right away," she said, "but can I wait just long enough to hear the letter from the Bryants first?"

Smiling, Mom agreed.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you study the Bible? Do you read the good things God has to say, or do you think, "Someday when I'm bigger, I'll study God's Word"? Don't wait till later. The Bible contains good news! It tells how Christ died and rose again and is someday coming back for those who love Him. It gives practical advice for your life. Read it now-it's God's personal letter to you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25

[Soldier4Christ]

"Jeff?" His mother stood at the door. "Jeff!" she said again, but he didn't look up from his book until she walked over and turned the radio down.

"Oh, hi, Mom," said Jeff. "I didn't hear you over the music. Sorry."

Mom nodded. "Jeff," she said, "I just noticed Mrs. Grady struggling out there with her lawn mower. Maybe you could help her fix it."

"Right now?" asked Jeff. He held up the book he'd been reading. "I'm trying to think of a project to earn my last club badge. It says here that it has to be some kind of service to someone needy." Jeff wandered to his desk and picked up some baseball cards.

As Jeff flipped through the cards, his younger brother raced into the room. "Jeff, my bike is broken. Can you help me fix it?" begged Jon.

"Later," said Jeff. "I have a project to work on." Jon sighed and left the room. "This is the hardest badge of all to earn," Jeff continued. "I don't know anybody that's sick or poor, or anything like that."

Mom smiled. "You know," she said. "I think you need to turn down more than just the radio, if you want earn this badge."

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

"You aren't hearing the calls for help because . . ." Mom reached out and took the baseball cards from his hand, "these are making as much noise as that radio." She put the cards on a shelf. "Have you asked God for ideas?"

"Yup, actually I have," Jeff answered.

"Did you listen and look for His answers?" asked Mom.

"Like . . ." Jeff shrugged. "Where am I supposed to look?"

Mom led Jeff to the window. Outside he could see Mrs. Grady struggling with the lawn mower, and Jon was hunched over his bicycle. "There are two answers. It's great you asked for God's help," Mom said. "But you have to turn down the noise if you want to hear His answer. What do you think?"

"I think . . . I have a badge to earn," Jeff said, and he headed out into the yard.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you look and listen for God's answers when you pray? Or do you expect-or want-a certain answer and are not willing to accept any other? Maybe He'll show you there's something you can do about the situation. Maybe He'll show you that you need a different attitude. Maybe He'll simply offer comfort. Be open to whatever answer God gives you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Love the Lord your God . . . obey His voice." Deuteronomy 30:20

[Soldier4Christ]

"You dummy!" yelled Bryan. "You spilled your orange juice on my art project. Now I'll have to do it all over again." He snatched up his paper. "I wish you weren't my brother!" he added angrily.

"I'm sorry," apologized Adam, tears filling his eyes.

"Hey!" Bryan's voice got louder. "That's not orange juice. It's punch! How come you got punch and I didn't?"

Hurrying into the family room, Mom confronted her angry son. "Bryan, you know better than to call your brother names," she said sternly.

"Well, Adam messed up my art project," sputtered Bryan. "Besides, how come he got punch and I got orange juice? The glasses looked the same."

"There was one glass of punch left over from his birthday party yesterday," explained Mom, "so I said he could have it. But you're right-they looked the same. You didn't notice what was inside the glass until it got bumped. Just like we didn't notice what was inside you until you got bumped."

Bryan shook his head. "Adam didn't bump me," he said. "He bumped his glass, and it spilled all over my art project."

"I know," said Mom, "but when something happens to mess up our plans or efforts, it's like a bump that pushes us off course. Whatever is inside our hearts spills out. If our hearts are filled with patience and kindness, gentle words come out. But if we harbor bad attitudes or anger, harsh words spill out instead." She raised her brows. "Adam spilled punch, but you spilled harsh words. Which one is worse?"

Bryan looked at the floor. Then he turned to his brother. "Sorry," he mumbled. He looked up. "Forgive me?" Happily, Adam nodded.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What comes out when you "get bumped"-when things don't go right for you? If you have a selfish, impatient attitude, confess it to God and ask Him to fill your heart with patience, kindness, and understanding. Then when you get "bumped," others will see the love of God coming out from within you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

[Soldier4Christ]

The Uninvited Guest

Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7:36-38 (NIV)

If you have ever been invited to a party, raise your hand. That's just what I thought! Every one of you has been invited to a party! Perhaps you got an invitation like this one in the mail -- or maybe you received an invitation by telephone. Sometimes a friend may come up to you and say, "I am having a party at my house this Saturday, would you like to come?" It is nice to be invited to a party, isn't it?

Have you ever heard of anyone who heard about a party and went to the party, even though they were not invited? Usually, we don't go to a party unless we are invited, but our Bible lesson today tells about a woman who did exactly that. I think we may be surprised to learn what Jesus said about her.

A man named Simon invited Jesus to have dinner at his house. Simon was a member of a very strict religious group called Pharisees. He invited Jesus into his home because he had heard about all of the miraculous things that he had been doing and that many people thought that he was a prophet. No doubt, he wanted everyone to know that Jesus had visited in his home so it would make him look important in the eyes of his friends.

As they began to eat dinner, a woman with a very bad reputation in the town came into the house. She had heard that Jesus had been invited to eat there and she wanted to see him and be near him. She stood behind Jesus, and because she loved him so much, she began to cry. Her tears fell on the feet of Jesus and, since she had nothing with which to dry his feet, the woman knelt down and began to dry the feet of Jesus with her hair. Then she took some expensive perfume and began to rub it on his feet.

Simon was upset by what he saw and said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him and would have nothing to do with her. She’s a sinner!"

Jesus could see that Simon was upset, but his response to Simon was quite surprising. He said to him, "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I came into your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You didn't give me the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."

Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven."

Which person in this story are we most like? Are we like the Pharisee who thought he was too good to associate with sinners, or are we like the uninvited guest who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears of love and anointed him with her best perfume?

Jesus, our Saviour, may the love which we show for you be a reflection of the love which you show for us. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Witnessing

"Looks good, guys." Tony stood back and surveyed the side of the shed he and his younger brothers, Patrick and Sean, were painting. Tony was in charge of the project. He'd helped his father paint before, so he was showing his brothers how it should be done. "Be sure to brush the paint out nice and smooth," said Tony.

As they worked, the boys started talking about their friend Nathan, who lived nearby. "Nathan asked me about our church and what we believe," said Sean. "I didn't really know what to say. I was afraid I might not answer right, so I gave him my Sunday school teacher's phone number. He probably won't call, though. He's shy and doesn't know Mr. Haney."

"Maybe we should ask Pastor Gray to call on his family," suggested Tony.

"Yeah," agreed Patrick. "It's the pastor's job to tell them about Jesus."

Soon Mom came out with a tray of cookies and milk. "Tony," she said as the boys sat down to enjoy their snack, "since you're the only one who painted before and knew how to do it, why didn't Dad tell you to paint the shed alone?"

"All alone!" echoed Tony. "This job is way too big for one person."

"Dad figured Tony could teach Sean and me to paint," Patrick added. "Aren't we doing okay?"

"Oh, you're doing fine," Mom assured him. "but I overheard you say that it's the pastor's job to tell people about Jesus. He should do that, of course, but that job is too big for one person, too."

"But we're not trained to do that like Pastor Gray is," protested Sean.

"No, and it's good, of course, to get all the training and information you can. Pastors and teachers and other Christians help equip you for witnessing-just like Tony showed the rest of you how to paint the shed," said Mom. "Learn from them, but don't wait for them to do all the work."

"So you're saying we should answer some of Nathan's questions ourselves, right, Mom?" asked Tony.

"That's right." Mom smiled. "It's good to refer him to mature Christians," she said, "but you should also witness yourselves. Learn all you can from others about how to witness, but also learn from experience-from simply doing it."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that it's your job, as well as the pastor's, to witness for Jesus? Do you think you're too young and unprepared to do that? Listen carefully when your pastor, Sunday school teacher, or other Christians explain Scripture and give hints on how to reach others. Think about what you read in God's Word. This will help prepare you to serve the Lord and to witness for Him. But don't wait until you have all the answers to all the questions. Speak up and tell others about Jesus!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 4:11-12)
He Himself gave some to be . . . pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints.

[Soldier4Christ]

Joey followed his grandfather into the chicken yard. "These birds are ready for their dinner," said Grandpa as the chickens crowded noisily around them. Joey threw out a handful of grain, and the chickens scrambled to pick it up in their beaks and gulp it down.

One of the chickens was having a hard time getting any food. Every time it tried to eat, it was pecked by the others. "Look, Grandpa!" exclaimed Joey, pointing to a small, red spot on the chicken's neck. "That chicken is hurt!" Just then a big hen jabbed the sore, making it even larger.

Grandpa picked up the hurting chicken. "Come on, old girl," he said. "We'll separate you from the others until your neck heals." He carried the squawking bird outdoors.

"Why do the other chickens peck at this one?" asked Joey.

"I don't know," answered Grandpa, "but it's typical chicken behavior. They tend to pick on those who are hurt or different from the rest."

"That's mean!" exclaimed Joey.

"Yes, it is," agreed Grandpa. He placed the chicken in a cage by itself. "Do you know that people sometimes act just like those chickens?" he added.

"They do?" asked Joey. "Like when?"

"Some people make fun of others who have skin of a different color, or who have eyes, noses, or ears that look a little different," explained Grandpa.

"Like . . . like Darrin," murmured Joey. "He's a new kid at school. He has red hair, and some of the kids tease him about it."

"It's too bad when people act like chickens," said Grandpa. "Instead of helping others, they make the sore spots worse."

Joey nodded. He was glad he hadn't joined in the teasing. On the other hand, he hadn't made any effort to be friendly. He decided that when he got home, he would call and invite Darrin to come over and play.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
When kids don't look or talk the way you do, how do you treat them? Never call them unkind names or tell jokes about them. You would be acting like a chicken! God loves them very much. Show them His love by being friendly-by including them in games and other activities.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 13:34

[Soldier4Christ]

Robby sat at the table long after his brother Caleb had been excused. It's not fair, thought Robby. Just because Caleb likes carrots and I don't, he gets to go out to play way ahead of me! He pushed his carrots around on his plate so it would look as if he had eaten more. "Can I go now?" he asked, showing the plate to his mom.

Mom shook her head. "You were given only a few carrots," she said, "and the rule is you have to eat all of them." As she took the bowl of left-over carrots from the table, Robby looked at his plate again. It was true-he had only a very small portion. But it was still carrots!

When Mom's back was turned, Robby slipped the carrots, one after another, into his pocket. I'll dump them later, he figured. Mom will never know.

"Robby! Good for you!" exclaimed Mom when he showed her his plate again. She gave him a hug. "I'm proud of you. It wasn't so bad, was it? Now you can play."

Robby left the table and went to the back yard. He didn't feel very happy as he tossed the carrots under a bush. He didn't enjoy playing with Caleb, either. His conscience was really bothering him. He knew God was telling him he had lied to his mom by his actions, if not with his tongue.

"Boys, would you like a piece of fudge?" Mom called. "Kids who finish their suppers deserve a treat."

Robby followed slowly as Caleb dashed toward the house. He knew he would have to tell the truth. He could not live with this lie on his heart.

"I'm glad you told me," said Mom after Robby confessed what he had done. Robby was glad, too. And strangely, eating leftover carrots while Caleb ate fudge seemed to make him feel even better.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful to never tell a lie with your lips? How about with your actions? Have you thought that as long as you didn't actually lie with your tongue, it was okay to fool your parents or teacher? That's called deceit. God hates lying, and He hates deceit, too. If you've been deceitful, confess and make it right. Make up your mind to be honest in every way. With God's help, you can do it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"The Lord abhors the . . . deceitful man." Psalm 5:6

[Soldier4Christ]

"Honey, what's the matter?" Mom asked, surprised to see her youngest child in tears in front of the television.

"A bear killed the girl's dog," sobbed Lori.

Mom put her arm around Lori. "Honey, it was just a TV show," she said. "It didn't really happen."

"Yes, it did," said Lori. She sniffed. "It's a true story about a girl named Maya who disobeyed her parents and went to play in the woods with Chico, her dog. While they were playing, an angry bear charged out at them. Maya tried to get away, but the bear was too fast. It was about to catch her when Chico rushed up and attacked it. Then the bear went after Chico and k-k-killed him." Lori started crying again. "If only Maya hadn't disobeyed her parents that wouldn't have happened!"

Mom hugged Lori. "What a sad story with a sad ending," she said. "No wonder you're crying." After a moment, she added thoughtfully, "Honey, did you know that once, a long time ago, someone died for us like that? Only His story has a happy ending."

Lori looked at her mother. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Maya disobeyed her parents, and the dog sacrificed its life for her-it loved her that much. We disobeyed God, and Jesus gave His life to save us-He loves us that much," explained Mom. "Sin, like a vicious bear, tries to destroy each of us. But Jesus took all our sins on Himself and died for us, casting away our sins forever. Then He rose from the dead, and now He reigns in heaven." Lori sat quietly thinking. She had heard the story of Jesus many times, but she had never really understood what it meant. "Chico saved Maya's life on this earth, but Jesus saves us for all eternity," added Mom.

Lori smiled. God had used a story about a girl and a dog to help her understand His wonderful love!


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you understand the wonderful sacrifice Jesus made for you because He loves you? Do you understand that you can have eternal life through Him? Turn to the ABCs at the end of this book and read the verses there. Trust in Jesus and accept the gift of salvation God offers you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

[Soldier4Christ]

Julie and her brother Steven toured Independence Hall with their family. Julie pointed to a plaque on the wall. "Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love," she read. "I wonder why it's called that?"

"William Penn founded the city, and history books tell us the settlement in this area was kind of an experiment in holy living," explained Dad. "Under William Penn's plan, peace, goodwill, and brotherly love were to be extended to everybody."

Steven nodded. "We learned about him in school," he said. "William Penn was especially concerned about the Indians being treated fairly."

"Native Americans," Julie corrected him.

"Right. Native Americans," agreed Steven. "They trusted him, and he trusted them, too. When they promised to do something, they believed each other."

"Did they keep their promises?" asked Julie.

"For the most part, they did, didn't they, Dad?" Steven turned to his father, who nodded.

"Mr. Penn must have been a smart man," observed Julie.

"Yes," said Dad. "He realized the importance of trust between people." After a moment he added, "There are promises even more dependable than those of either Mr. Penn or the Native Americans. God has given us many promises, and we need to believe what He says. We must take God at His word and act upon His promises."

"Act upon them?" questioned Steven. "How, Dad?"

"Well . . . for example, God says He'll supply all we need, so we must trust Him to do that and stop worrying about it," replied Dad. "He says He cares for us. We must believe Him and let that comfort us when things seem dark. In other words, we should have faith to believe He means what He says and will do what He says. Okay?"

Steven nodded. "Okay," he said.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you claiming God's promises by faith? God says He'll work everything out for your good. Do you keep trusting Him even though something isn't pleasant at the moment? When you're in doubt about what you should do, do you pray for the wisdom God promises to give you? When you're afraid, do you remember His promise to never leave you? Will you, by faith, claim God's promises?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"He (God) who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

[Soldier4Christ]

Daniel eagerly opened the newspaper, scanned down the columns, and began to read his horoscope for the day. He had started reading horoscopes out of curiosity and had laughed at the things they said. After several weeks, however, he began to take them more seriously.

"You stand a good chance of winning an argument," Daniel read now. That sounds good! he thought. I should have read this sooner. In a neighborhood baseball game just that morning, he had thought he touched home base before the ball got there, but all the other boys said he was out. Daniel disagreed, but he'd given in and gone along with the decision. I'm sure I was safe, he thought, and I bet I could have won if I'd stuck to it.

That afternoon, the boys played baseball again. When Daniel was up to bat, he hit the ball and ran. "Out!" yelled Jordan, the first baseman, just as Daniel got there.

"I am not out!" protested Daniel.

"You are, too," insisted Jordan.

"You're lying!" snapped Daniel, remembering his horoscope. He decided he wouldn't give in so easily this time. But Jordan didn't give in, either-he didn't seem to realize Daniel was supposed to win the argument. A fight broke out, and the other boys came running over. To Daniel's surprise, they took Jordan's side and even suggested that Daniel should quit playing.

Daniel walked slowly away from the ball field. I never should have believed that dumb horoscope, he thought. Dad says horoscopes are like witchcraft and God is the only One Who knows what's in the future.

When Daniel got home, he saw the newspaper lying on a table. He scowled. I'm gonna stop reading those stupid things, he decided. Dad says the Bible gives all the advice we need. I guess I always knew those horoscopes were phony. I'm gonna stick with the truth!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try to learn what will happen in the future? Maybe you think you read your horoscope for fun, but God doesn't want you to use such things. Only He knows the future, and He sternly forbids the use of fortune telling or witchcraft. Listen to God and leave horoscopes and fortune telling cards and games alone.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8