Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"How was school?" asked Mom as Jose came in and put down his books.

Jose sighed. "Okay, but I've got a pile of homework to do." He frowned. "Why can't life be just good things?" he asked. "There are so may bad things in the world-floods, wars, earthquakes . . . and homework! I hate homework!"

Mom smiled. "Why don't you help me make some cookies before you start it?" she suggested. "If that will leave enough time for your homework, that is."

"All right!" exclaimed Jose. He got out the sugar and chocolate chips. "We need flour, too, right?" he asked. "And eggs?"

"Let's not use them," replied Mom. "Let's try something different." She put a little sugar, some honey, and a few chocolate chips on a shallow cookie sheet and popped it into the oven.

Jose was puzzled. "That won't be any good, will it?" he asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" asked Mom. "All those things taste good." But when she pulled it out a little later, it had turned into brown "goop."

"I knew that wouldn't work!" exclaimed Jose. "You can't make cookies with just the stuff that tastes good by itself. You need to use flour and eggs and the other things in the recipe!" He couldn't believe his mother didn't know that!

Mom smiled. "That's also true in our lives," she said. "Everything listed in the cookie recipe has a purpose, and everything that happens in our lives does, too."

"What purpose do bad things have?" asked Jose.

"We learn from them!" Mom laughed. "Leaving flour and eggs out of the cookies produced goop. This cookie sheet is a mess now, and I'm sure I'll never try that again, right?" Jose nodded. "We learn from our experiences as we go through bad things in life, too. As we deal with things like illness, wars, and earthquakes-and homework-we learn to trust God more. He often uses those times to show us our need for Him and to make us stronger."

"Okay." Jose grinned. "Now let's make some good cookies, and then I'll do my homework."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you going through a hard time at school? At home? Spiritually? Do you wonder why people lose jobs, become ill, or have to move? God has a purpose for all He allows to happen. Difficult experiences are often the ones that cause you to turn to God and depend on Him daily. Trust Him to use them to strengthen your spirit and develop godly character.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God." Romans 8:28

[Soldier4Christ]

"Everything's loaded," said Owen as he tossed his backpack into Grandpa's van.

"Let's double check," suggested Grandpa. "Sleeping bags, the tent, food, fishing poles. Yep, it's all there. But before we go, let's read a few verses from the Bible and pray." Owen sighed loudly. He wished they could just be on their way. "We don't want to neglect our best Friend, do we?" asked Grandpa. Owen shook his head, but he didn't listen very well to the verses Grandpa read-nor to Grandpa's prayer.

Soon they had said goodbye to the rest of the family and were headed for the campgrounds. At first it was fun to look at the fields they passed and read the bulletin boards. Then Owen began to ask the same question again and again. "How much farther is it?"

Grandpa finally reached over and turned the radio on. "This station usually has a good kids' program at this time of day," he said. "I think you'll enjoy it."

"Okay," agreed Owen with a sigh. He didn't really want to listen, but he began to enjoy the program. Then the station started to fade in and out. It would go blank for a minute and then come back on the air for a short time. "Can you fix the radio?" asked Owen. "They're in the middle of a story, and I want to hear the rest of it."

"We're getting too far from the station," said Grandpa. The sound continued to get worse, so Grandpa turned the radio off. "You know, Owen," he said, "what happened here is a little like what happens when we begin to move away from the Lord-when we neglect His Word and lose interest in learning about Him. His commands and promises seem to fade from our minds, and we hear what God is telling us only sometimes. After a while, we no longer hear Him at all. To hear that program, we'd have to turn around and go back toward the station. And the way to regain fellowship with God is to turn around and go back to Him-trusting His love and listening to Him as He speaks to us from His Word."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does Jesus seem close to you? Or have you wandered away from Him? Do you talk to God and let His Word talk to you every day? Praying and reading the Bible are two things that help you stay close to Jesus. If you've gotten far away from God, turn back. He loves you and has much to tell you. Expect to hear from Him every day as you read from His Word, the Bible.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"I will hear what God the Lord will speak." Psalm 85:8

[Soldier4Christ]

"Yummy! Cookies!" exclaimed Megan as she opened the kitchen door after school. "Can I have one?"

Mom nodded. "How was school today?" she asked.

"All right," said Megan with a frown, "but Keaton makes me so mad! He put a big, wiggly worm on top of my notebook. I almost smashed it with my thumb when I picked up my books! Worms are gross! I've got to think of a way to get even with him."

"Why not think of something good to do for him?" suggested Mom. "That's what Jesus taught us to do when we don't like the way people treat us."

Megan turned away. "I have to write a short report on how something works," she said. "What can I write about?"

"I saw something about boomerangs in the book Grandma gave you," said Mom. "Maybe you could write about that. It looked interesting."

"I'll check it," said Megan as she headed for her room. Soon she returned. "That didn't take me long. Want to hear my report?" she asked. Mom smiled and nodded, so Megan read from her paper. "A boomerang is a weapon still used by some tribes in Australia. Boomerangs are flat, curved objects that are made of hard wood. They can be thrown in such a way that they curve around and come back to the one who throws them. Sometimes, though, people are hit by the boomerangs they themselves have thrown."

"Good!" said Mom. A moment later, she added, "Our actions 'boomerang,' too. The way we treat people is the way we'll probably be treated by them. That's a good thing to remember-especially when we feel like getting even with someone."

Megan stared at the kitchen floor. "Okay," she said with a sigh, "but . . . what can I do to keep Keaton from playing more tricks on me?" She looked at the cookies Mom was putting away. "I know what I can try!" exclaimed Megan. "Mom, may I have two or three of those to take to Keaton tomorrow?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there someone you'd really like to get even with? God is pleased when we get rid of an enemy by making a friend of him. Why not try that? Do something nice for the one you think has mistreated you. Remember-good actions "boomerang," too. Perhaps that person will begin to treat you well. If not, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you did things God's way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, I'm so stupid," wailed Kelly when she arrived home from school. "Why do I have to be so dumb?"

"What's wrong, honey?" asked Mom.

With tears in her eyes, Kelly handed Mom her math test. She had failed it. "I got the worst score in the whole class," she said, her voice trembling.

"Oh, Kelly, I'm sorry!" said Mom. "I know you studied hard for that test." Mom gave her a hug. "But that doesn't mean you're stupid."

"Yes, it does," insisted Kelly. "No one else has so much trouble with math. Why can't I be like everyone else?"

Mom looked thoughtful. "Do you remember the report you did on snowflakes a while back?" she asked. Kelly nodded. "All snowflakes have a lot of things in common," continued Mom. "They're all alike, right?"

This time Kelly shook her head. "No two are alike-I had that in my report. Don't you remember?"

Mom smiled. "I do remember," she said. "And, Kelly, God made us like those snowflakes-no two alike. But each one is part of God's creation, and each one is beautiful and special. Take you for instance. Math is difficult for you, but you play the piano-you can play music that kids twice your age can't play. Does that make them stupid? No! God made each of us different for a purpose. We need to use our talents for His honor and glory. That's the important thing."

Kelly thought about it. Then she looked at the math test. "So it's okay if I'm no good at math as long as I use the talents I do have for God?" When Mom nodded, Kelly grinned. "Oh, good! Can I throw my math book away and forget about it?"

Smiling, Mom shook her head. "Sorry," she said. "You'll just have to work even harder at the math. I'll help you with it, too, but remember-if you do your best, you don't have to be upset about it."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel stupid when you fail at something? You need to realize God has made you as you are for a purpose. Do your best in all your subjects. Take advantage of the opportunities offered you, but don't expect to excel in everything. Use your talents for God's glory, and thank Him today for making you who you are.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"There are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." 1 Corinthians 12:6

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom?" Emmett came into his mother's office with his friend Thomas. "We're doing a report on the President, so can Thomas stay the night?"

"Sure," said Mom, "if it's okay with his parents and if he doesn't mind going to church with us in the morning."

"I don't mind," said Thomas, "but I usually don't go to church. God's too hard to understand."

"So is the President," said Mom. She grinned at the boys. "Does your teacher think you'll understand him when you've finished your report?"

"Well . . . when we learn about him, it should help us understand him a little better," said Emmett.

"That makes sense," Mom agreed. "And what's one reason for going to church?"

"To learn and understand a little more about God," said Emmett.

"But I did go a few times, and I still don't understand Him," said Thomas.

"That's good!" exclaimed Mom. The boys looked at each other. "Well, can you imagine a God that a twelve-year-old could figure out in a few visits?" asked Mom. She motioned toward a book Emmett was holding. "Will you completely understand the President after this report?"

Thomas shook his head. "No," he admitted. "He knows a lot of stuff."

"What about God?" asked Mom. "He knows everything. He knows more than a twelve-year-old-or any human-could ever understand. If you could completely understand Him and all He knows, He wouldn't be able to run the world any better than you could, and-no offense, boys, but I've seen the way you clean your rooms. I don't think you're ready for the world, yet!" Emmett and Thomas grinned. "The truth is," continued Mom, "no one understands everything about God. The important thing is to learn enough about Him so we know we can trust Him for all we need-both now and for eternity."

"Okay," Thomas agreed. "I won't try to understand God all at once. Maybe going to church will help me catch up a little."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does God seem too hard to understand? No one can fully understand Him. Learn as much about Him as you can, but always remember that God is much greater, wiser, and more powerful than you. He's greater than anybody. That's a good thing! It means you can trust Him to take better care of things than you or anyone else ever could.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:3

[Soldier4Christ]

Will I ever be happy again? wondered Cory. The last few days had been the hardest ones in his whole life. He didn't think he'd ever forget the shrill ringing of the telephone and Mom's shocked voice when she heard the dreadful news that Grandpa Connors had died of a heart attack. Since then, Cory's family had spent a lot of time at Grandma's house and at the funeral home.

Cory felt funny every time he looked at the casket. That cold form lying there couldn't be the wonderful Grandpa who had taken him fishing just last month! His parents and grandmother puzzled him. When people came to see the family, Mom and Grandma often cried-and Dad got tears in his eyes, too-but they always ended up smiling! How can they smile with Grandpa gone? he wondered. I sure don't feel like smiling!

Finally, it was time for the funeral. Cory had been trying to block all the sadness out of his mind, but as he listened to the quiet organ music, an awful thought struck him. I'll never see my grandpa again! he thought. After this service they'll close the casket and bury him under the ground, and I'll never see him again! Mom put an arm around him as tears rolled down his cheeks.

Just then the pastor stood up and began to speak. "Some of you are sorrowing today," began Pastor Jorge, "because you heard that Brother Jim Connors is dead. It's not so! He's alive! He has left his earthly body and gone to heaven. If you know Jesus as your Savior-like Jim Connors did-you'll see him again in heaven some day." The pastor went on to quote several verses from the Bible, but Cory had already heard what he needed to hear most. He realized that his parents had been saying the same thing, but only now did it sink in. Thank You, God, he prayed silently. Thank You that I'll see Grandpa again!


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has someone died who was dear to you? It made you sad, didn't it? It's all right to feel sadness, and it's all right to cry. Even Jesus cried (read John 11:35). But if the person who died was a Christian and you are, too, your sorrow should be mixed with joy because your loved one is alive and happy in heaven. Some day you will meet again. Praise the Lord!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Jesus said. . . "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." John 11:25

[Soldier4Christ]

The doorbell rang, and Matt looked out the front window. His friend Trent stood on the porch, bouncing a basketball. All right! thought Matt excitedly. Trent's back! The summer's been so boring without him. I can't wait to see him! Matt raced toward the door-then stopped and stood still.

Mom came in from the kitchen just in time to see Matt remove his glasses, put them on the hall table, and once again head for the door. "Whoa!" said Mom. "Put your glasses on, Son. You know you're supposed to wear them all the time." Matt had gotten glasses only a few weeks earlier, and he didn't like wearing them.

"But it's Trent, Mom," protested Matt. "I look so weird now."

"You do not look weird," said Mom. She sat on the arm of a chair. "Do you remember the Bible story about Zacchaeus?" she asked. "His friends probably teased him-maybe called him Shorty. But when Jesus found him sitting in the tree, He wanted to be his friend. What mattered to Jesus was what was in Zacchaeus' heart, not his appearance. I'm sure it's that way with Trent, too. He'll see your glasses, but I'm sure your friendship is what's really important to him." As Matt continued to fidget, Mom asked, "Would you want to play with Trent if he wore glasses?"

"Well, of course," replied Matt, "but he doesn't." He sighed as the doorbell rang again, then picked up his glasses and put them on. "Okay," he said, "I'll let him in."

"Good," said Mom. "I'm sure he's wondering what's taking you so long."

Matt opened the front door. There stood Trent, a shiny, silver grin on his face. "Braces!" said Matt in surprise.

"Glasses!" exclaimed Trent.

"When did you . . ." and, "A month ago . . ." they chorused at the same time. Then both started laughing.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you like the way you look? Do you need glasses or braces? Have you wished your hair were a different color? That you were taller or prettier? Such things affect only outward appearance. God made you as you are-your physical characteristics and limitations are right for you. Never let things like that come between you and another person. Love people for who they are, not how they look.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Chad sighed as he entered the Mt. Hope Nursing Home. Nearly every Sunday, he and his parents went to visit his great-grandfather, who had lived there ever since he'd had a stroke. "Is Pappy ever going to get better?" asked Chad, using the pet name for his grandpa.

Mom and Dad looked at each other. "It may be that Pappy will get completely well only in heaven," said Chad's mom.

Chad noticed that Dad was carrying a big square book. He recognized their family photograph album. "Why did you bring that?" asked Chad.

"We thought we'd show Pappy some pictures," replied Dad.

When they walked into Pappy's room, he was sitting in his wheelchair. He looked up but didn't say anything.

Chad's father placed the album on the table in front of Pappy and opened it. His parents talked cheerfully and pointed to pictures. Pappy stared down at the photographs and opened his mouth. Chad looked away as his mom used her handkerchief to wipe some dribble from Pappy's chin.

"That's me!" exclaimed Chad, pointing to one of the photographs. "I was really little then." He looked more closely. "What's Pappy doing?" he asked.

Chad's dad chuckled. "He was trying to teach you how to play checkers."

"You were so little you didn't know how to move the pieces," added Mom, "but you liked him to move them for you. You kept trying to eat the pieces, too."

Chad laughed. "Looks like we were having fun anyway," he said.

The next Sunday when Chad visited his grandfather, he took Pappy's old checkerboard. He set it on the table in front of the wheelchair. "Don't worry, Pappy," he said. "I'll move the pieces for both of us."

"Who's winning?" asked Dad after watching for a while.

Chad looked up and smiled. "We're not playing to win," he said. "We're just having fun, aren't we, Pappy?" Chad glanced at his grandfather's face. He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw a little smile.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know people who are sick or helpless-perhaps elderly family members or friends? They're important to Jesus even if they can't respond like others. God is pleased when you pay attention to them. Are you willing to spend time doing what you can to add a little pleasure to their lives? Do it for Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"You must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

[Soldier4Christ]

As Justine walked with her father along the ocean, she noticed the sign an old man was carrying on a stick. It said, "Fear God."

"Dad, you always say God is our Father. Aren't we supposed to love and trust Him?" asked Justine

"Yup," Dad said, "just like you love and trust me-only more." He smiled and squeezed her arm.

"Then we aren't supposed to fear God-like that sign says-are we?" asked Justine. "I'm not afraid of you, so why should I be afraid of God?"

Dad looked toward the ocean. There was a strong wind, and the waves crashed hard on the beach. "Would you swim in the ocean, today?" he asked.

Justine shook her head. "No way!" she exclaimed.

"But you're the best swimmer on your school team," Dad said. "How can you be afraid of water?"

"I'm not afraid of water," replied Justine, "but I'm smart enough to know the waves today are stronger than I am, and I don't want to mess with them."

"So . . . in a way you do fear the waves, but your 'fear' is really respect. You respect the power of the waves to crash and smash-and actually cause harm to you if you get in their way," said Dad. "That kind of fear brings wisdom, so you won't go in the water, right?"

"I guess that's a good way to explain it," agreed Justine

"It's a good way to explain the fear of God, too," Dad told her. "He doesn't want us to be afraid and hide from Him. He wants us to understand how powerful He is, and to respect Him and His right to do whatever is best-even when it involves disciplining us to help us mature."

Justine looked out at the ocean waves again. "I think I get it," she said. She grinned at her dad. "And I fear you, too," she added.

"Good." Dad walked faster. "Because if I beat you to the ice cream stand, I'm going to make you buy!" he teased.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does God's awesome power amaze you? If you know and love God, fearing Him isn't a scary thing. It's an incredible feeling. All that power belongs to the One who loves you and will always do what is best for His children. You don't need to be "afraid" of God. You do need to respect His authority and His right to use His power in whatever way He sees fit.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 9:10

[Soldier4Christ]

Hank, who lived in Texas, was spending a few weeks of summer vacation in Pennsylvania with his grandparents. They took him to Sunday school, and his teacher there tried to make him feel at home. "Why the frown?" Mr. Lopez asked after class one morning. "Can I help?"

"I was thinking about our lesson today," replied Hank. "Why did Jesus call Himself a good shepherd? I'd like it better if He'd said, 'I am the good cowboy!'"

Mr. Lopez laughed. "Oh, Hank, I know you love your Texas ranch," he said, "but Jesus knew what He was saying when He compared Himself to a shepherd rather than a cowboy. Tell me-what does a cowboy do?"

"Aw, that's easy." Hank's eyes lit up. "Cowboys drive the cattle where they want them to go. They used to do it on horseback, but now they often use pickup trucks. Sometimes they even use helicopters!"

"Well, how about sheep?" asked Mr. Lopez. "How do you get sheep to go where you want them to? Do you drive them, too?"

Hank grinned. "Naw! Sheep are so dumb you can't drive them. You have to lead them wherever you want them to go. If there isn't a shepherd for them to follow, they just wander away and get lost. That's why I'd rather have . . ."

Mr. Lopez held up a hand. "Wait a minute," he said. "Think about the way people act, and maybe you'll see why Jesus compared Himself to a shepherd. We're probably 'too dumb'-as you would put it-to be driven. People are more like sheep than cattle, don't you think? We like to follow a good leader, but we don't like to be forced to go any particular way."

"I guess that's true," acknowledged Hank.

Mr. Lopez nodded. "God doesn't force us to go His way-like a cowboy would drive the cattle. God is like a loving shepherd, ready to help us and lead us. Without Him, we're lost and just wander around."

"I sure know sheep need a shepherd," said Hank, "but I never thought I did! I guess I'll be learning more about that here at Sunday school, right?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you like a lost sheep? Are you wandering around-lost in sin? Jesus, the good shepherd, won't force you to follow Him, but He invites you to do so. He loves you and gave His life to pay for your sins. He wants to give you eternal life. Won't you start following Him today?

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." John 10:11

[Soldier4Christ]

Boom! A clap of thunder shook the house and rain began to pour down outside. "That sounded awfully close!" exclaimed Samantha fearfully. "I don't like storms."

Grandma nodded. "I know," she said. "When I was your age, I used to go hide my head under the covers. I felt safer if I didn't have to see the lightning or hear the thunder."

"Why do we need to have storms anyway?" asked Samantha. "Why can't it just rain without all the thunder and lightning?"

"Well, did you know that when lightning hits the ground it puts nutrients into the soil?" asked Grandma.

"Really?" Samantha hadn't heard that before.

"That's what I've read," said Grandma, "so then the lightning has a part in helping plants grow." She smiled. "Actually, storms remind me of life," she added.

Samantha looked at her grandmother. "Of life?" she asked. "I don't get it."

"Think about it," said Grandma. "The storms of life are the problems-the difficult or unhappy things that happen. As I see it, one of two things can occur when we get hit by problems. We can either get buried under them, or we can ask God to help us grow from the nutrients those 'life-storms' bring us. If we learn to trust God and lean on Him, the storms leave us with a better understanding of Him and a closer walk with Him. The stormy time turns out to be the time we grow most spiritually."

"Maybe so, but it doesn't make it any easier when you're in the storm, does it?" asked Samantha.

"Oh, but it does," said Grandma quickly. "It does make it easier when we know God is right there with us and will see us through-and also teach us by what is happening."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you going through a hard time right now? Are you in the middle of a "storm"? Perhaps you or someone you love is struggling with illness. Perhaps you're facing family problems or difficulties with schoolwork. If you know Jesus, you're not alone, no matter what storm comes your way. He's right there with you. Talk to Him about your problems. Ask Him to help you grow through the trial.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"The testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:3

[Soldier4Christ]

 Witnessing

Tony ran excitedly into the house. "I'm going over to play with Nathan, Mom," he said. "If I get a chance to talk to him about God, what should I say? How can I get him to understand?"

"Well," said Mom, "how did you help your brothers know how to paint the shed yesterday? Did you tell them how some of the world's great artists mix colors? Or did you explain various types of strokes and painting techniques?"

"Of course not." Tony gave her a puzzled look. "I just told them what Dad told me, and I showed them how I did it."

Mom nodded. "You started with your own experience, didn't you? Why not do that when you talk to Nathan about the Lord, too?" she suggested. "Tell him how you became a Christian. That's what the Apostle Paul often did."

"Okay, Mom," agreed Tony. "I'll try."

When Tony arrived at Nathan's house, his friend greeted him eagerly. "Hi, Tony," said Nathan. "Come see the model airplane I've been working on."

Tony looked at the model. "Wow! That's cool!" he exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"

"My Uncle Joel gave it to me. He was going to help me build it, but he had been sick for quite a while, and he died before we could get started," said Nathan sadly. "I sure miss him."

"I'm sorry your uncle died," replied Tony.

"Me, too," said Nathan sadly. "He knew he probably would never be well again, and he told me a long time ago that he knew he'd go to heaven when he died. I wonder how he could be so sure."

"I know I'm going to heaven when I die, too," Tony replied.

"You do?" asked Nathan. "How can you be so positive?"

"Well, when I was younger . . ." began Tony, still not quite sure what to say. But he went on to explain as well as he could what he had happened to him. "I learned that we're all sinners," Tony finished. "I am, and you are, too. But the Bible says Jesus came to take our punishment. If you'll trust in Him, you'll go to heaven, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you tell your friends what you know about Jesus? Don't worry about explaining all the doctrines of the church. Just tell about what Jesus did for you. The words in today's key verse were God's instructions to the Apostle Paul. Learn them and apply them to your life. Paul witnessed by telling what had happened to him. You can do that, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. Acts 22:15

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom," said Tyler one day, "my science teacher believes people evolved from monkeys." Tyler hesitated. "Sometimes what Mr. Morgan says makes a lot of sense."

"Be careful about believing everything you hear, Tyler," Mom warned. "Satan is tricky-he knows how to make wrong seem right."

Tyler sat down at the table and rested his chin in his hands. "I know God created us," he said, "but . . . it's just that there are so many ways monkeys and humans seem to be alike. Couldn't God have created us by making us evolve from other kinds of life? Lots of people believe that's what happened."

"True, but . . ." Mom paused as she put cookies and milk on the table. "You took your hamster to school when she was going to have babies. Remember?" she asked.

"Sure!" Tyler's face lit up.

"Did anyone think they might come in one morning and find baby kittens in the cage instead of baby hamsters?" asked Mom.

"Of course not!" Tyler looked puzzled. "Hamsters always have baby hamsters. Everybody knows that!" he said confidently.

"But aren't there quite a few similarities between hamsters and kittens?" asked Mom. "Don't you think one might have evolved from the other-and that it might happen again?" Tyler was thoughtful. What Mr. Morgan had said didn't seem so convincing when looked at from a different angle. "The Bible says God created everything to reproduce 'after its kind,'" Mom continued. "In other words, hamsters will always be hamsters, monkeys will always be monkeys, and people will always be people. I think the similarities we see in nature are a good reminder of His orderly fashion of creating the world."

Tyler nodded. "Tomorrow I'm gonna explain creation that way to Mr. Morgan," he told his mother. "Maybe he never thought of it like that before."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have your teachers made evolution sound convincing? It's easy to get confused by the clever arguments of those who do not believe the truth of God's Word. The Bible says nothing was ever made except the things that God made. God made people to be people!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"All things were made through Him (Jesus), and without Him nothing was made that was made." John 1:3

[Soldier4Christ]

"Poor Mrs. Martin," said Mom. "Last week her house was broken into again."

"The old lady who lives in that little house next to our church?" asked Jessica.

Mom nodded. "She wasn't home at the time of the robbery, and I'm glad of that," she said, "I was planning to visit her this afternoon. Want to come along?" Jessica was bored sitting around home, so she decided to go. She thought the old lady was a little strange and it might be interesting to see where she lived.

When Mom knocked on Mrs. Martin's door, Jessica heard feet shuffling around, but the door didn't open. A shaky voice called out, "Who is it?"

"It's Mrs. Adams," called Jessica's mother. "We met in church when you visited a few weeks ago, remember? My daughter Jessica and I are here to see you, and we brought some homemade bread. May we come in?"

There were a few seconds of silence, and then Jessica heard the sound of locks being opened. "Just have to be careful," said Mrs. Martin when she opened the door. "Those crooks may come back. Can't feel safe in your own house." She invited them in and accepted the bread from Mom. The rest of their visit was spent listening to Mrs. Martin's angry talk about "crooks" who rob innocent people.

"Whew!" exclaimed Jessica when they were heading home. "Am I glad to be away from Mrs. Martin and her 'crooks'! That's all she talked about! Let's not go back there! She's too paranoid. I think she's hopeless!"

"Oh, today was just the beginning!" said Mom. "Mrs. Martin needs Jesus, and we took the first step to introduce Him to her."

"We hardly talked about Him at all!" exclaimed Jessica in surprise.

"We listened," explained Mom. "Now let's continue to pray for her and then make another visit. Will you join me?"

Jessica looked at her mother uncertainly, then shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe," she said. "I'll see."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know a "hopeless case"? Did your first attempts to witness to him seem worthless? Don't give up. First be a friend to the person. Perhaps he needs to know someone is interested enough to just be a listener. Then, as God gives opportunity, tell him about Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"'You are My witnesses,' says the Lord." Isaiah 43:12

[Soldier4Christ]

"Don't you think we might as well give up?" asked Jessica after she had accompanied her mother on another visit to Mrs. Martin. "I can't see that our visits are doing any good!" But Mom wasn't discouraged and continued to take tracts and homemade goodies to the old lady. Jessica often went along.

During one visit, Mrs. Martin turned to Mom. "Why do you keep coming to see me?" she asked. "Even my own children don't visit this often!"

Mom smiled. "We care about you, and so does Jesus," she told Mrs. Martin. "We visit and bring a few things, but He did so much more for you. He loved you enough to die on the cross for your sin. But that isn't all! Jesus rose again, and He wants you to accept what He has done for you so you can live in heaven with Him some day."

Mrs. Martin listened quietly, not understanding all that was being said, but Jessica noticed that she seemed to be thinking about it. "It's time for us to leave," added Mom, "but . . . do you have a Bible?"

"Some place. Never use it" said Mrs. Martin. "Why?"

"See if you can find it," encouraged Mom, "and then Jessica will find a special verse for you."

Jessica looked as surprised as Mrs. Martin. When the old lady rose and shuffled to another room, Jessica whispered, "What verse?"

"John 3:16," Mom whispered back.

"I found it," Mrs. Martin said, returning to the room.

Jessica took the Bible and found the verse. "Here, Mrs. Martin," she said. "This verse tells you how much God loves you."

Mrs. Martin took the Bible again, along with a tract that explained the way of salvation very simply. "I'll read this pretty soon," she said.

The next time Jessica and her mother called on Mrs. Martin, Jessica was surprised at the smile on the old lady's face. "God loves me," said Mrs. Martin simply, "and I love Him, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you continue to pray for the "hopeless case" you know? Do you continue to witness to him? Sometimes it may take weeks, or even years, before you see any results, but don't give up. Keep on praying and presenting God's Word. He promises that it will accomplish His purpose.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"My word . . . shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please." Isaiah 55:11