Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"We're hungry!" announced Ashley after she and her cousin Madison helped their grandmother get her house ready for a family Christmas party.

"What do you young ladies want to eat?" asked Grandma.

"Pizza!" they sang out together.

Grandma smiled. "Don't know why I asked," she said. "I just read that pizza is America's favorite meal. Okay, pizza it is-we'll make it." They got out the ingredients, and both girls helped spread the pizza sauce.

Madison licked a finger. "This sauce isn't great by itself," she told them. "Neither is the crust."

Ashley laughed. "No, but it's good compared to onions," she said. "They're okay on pizza, but I don't like them raw . . . nor green pepper, either."

The girls chatted as they continued preparing the pizza. "The kids next door to us make fun of me because I go to Sunday school and church," complained Madison. She popped slice of pepperoni into her mouth. "Oh, yummy! This is good!" she exclaimed.

"So is this cheese," said Ashley. She sighed. "At least the kids bugging you live next door," she told Madison. "The ones pestering me live in my own house! My little brother and sister always come barging into my room."

Madison grinned. "Maybe so, but they're so cute! And you're always telling me how much fun it is to play with them!"

"Life is a lot like pizza," put in Grandma. "We like some of the ingredients- or experiences-and not others. But God uses all of them to help us become more like Jesus. Ridicule by friends can help us stand stronger for our beliefs. Pesky brothers or sisters can teach us patience. God uses all of life's 'ingredients' for our good."

Madison nodded. "Just like all the pizza ingredients-even
the onions-taste good when they're baked together," she said with a
grin.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How does life "taste" to you? Are you really pleased about something that's happening? Are you unhappy about something else? When you don't like the "taste" of one of your life's "ingredients," think of pizza and remember that God puts every experience of your life together with loving care. Trust Him to make it turn out for your good.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"We almost didn't make it today," Aunt Ellie announced merrily when she and Uncle Bill arrived for Christmas dinner. "Bill stayed late at his office Christmas party last night and came home even drunker than usual." Aunt Ellie winked at her husband, but Jan felt sad. Her aunt and uncle weren't Christians, and Jan and her family had prayed that this Christmas God would help them show Aunt Ellie and Uncle Bill what they were missing.

The table was loaded with delicious food, and after Dad gave thanks, Jan took helpings of several different things and began to eat. It all tasted so good! She looked around the table and saw that everyone else was enjoying the dinner, too. "Um-m-m-m, good!" exclaimed Jan. "Now I need a drumstick." She looked around the table again. "Where's the turkey?" she asked.

Startled, Mom stared at the table. "The turkey!" she cried. Mom hurried to the kitchen and returned shortly with a large platter of meat. "The main part of the meal-I don't know how I could forget it," she said, grinning sheepishly.

Jan giggled. "I guess we had so much other good stuff we just didn't miss it at first," she said.

After dinner Uncle Bill stretched. "Now that was a great meal," he declared, "and I'm glad someone remembered the turkey! It wouldn't have been the same without it."

Dad nodded. "It would have been a little like Christmas without Christ," he suggested. "People enjoy many things about Christmas, but some of them pay little attention to Christ Himself or the reason He came. They may have some good times, but they're missing the 'meat.' They're not enjoying the best."

Uncle Bill and Aunt Ellie looked at each other, then
settled back to listen as Dad began to read the Christmas story from the Bible.
Jan smiled. I think God is using a missing turkey to to show them they're really
missing the best part of Christmas, she thought.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you missing the "meat" of Christmas? Have you gotten so involved in the "fun" things to do that you've forgotten all about Jesus Christ, God's Son? He came to this earth to be the sacrifice for your sins. Until you trust Him as Savior, you cannot enjoy Christmas at its best. Jesus is God's greatest gift. Won't you accept Him today?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"The Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Christmas was over. Colorful wrapping paper and bright ribbons had been cleared away, and the opened presents were displayed under the tree. Because Dad had been out of work quite a bit the past year, most of the gifts were very practical, useful things-like socks, sweaters, mittens, and boots. "God surely is good," commented Dad. "My best Christmas present is that He has provided a job for me. It's an answer to prayer!"

Grandma Davis noticed Jordan's frown as he got up and walked to the kitchen. She followed him. "Is something bothering you, Jordan?" she asked.

"God may have answered Dad's prayers," grumbled Jordan, "but He sure didn't answer mine! I prayed and prayed for a new sled, but did I get one? No! I got hardly any toys at all! I'm not praying any more."

Grandma was silent for a few minutes before she asked, "Could it be that you missed God's answer?"

Jordan looked surprised. "Is there another present somewhere?" He started back to the family room to look, but Grandma stopped him.

   "That's not what I mean," she said. "What would you think of your dad if he turned down his job offer and then declared he wasn't going to pray anymore because God wasn't providing for his family?"

Jordan looked at Grandma. "That would be silly," he said.

"Yes, it would," agreed Grandma, "yet your mother told me Mrs. Brown offered you the job of shoveling her walks this winter. It seems you were too busy-playing or reading or doing one of the many other things you like to do. You asked God for a sled, and He gave you a chance to earn it. But now you're blaming God that you don't have one. Isn't that silly, too?"

Jordan stared at Grandma. "I didn't think about that." He
hesitated. "Maybe I'll see if Mrs. Brown still needs help. Maybe I can still
earn money for a sled." He smiled sheepishly. "By next summer!" he
added.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you look for ways to be a part of God's answer to prayer? Do you ask God to help Mom and Dad and then do what you can to help them? Do you pray for help with schoolwork and then study hard? God sometimes answers prayer by providing a task to be done. Cornelius didn't just pray; he sent men to Peter. Pray-and then be ready to work. God may answer your prayer by using you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 10:31-32)
"Your prayer has been heard . . . Send therefore to Joppa."

[Soldier4Christ]

"You're growing like a weed!" Mark's mother stood with tape measure in hand. She had just checked to see how much he had grown since the last time they measured. "Almost two inches," she announced.

"Wow!" Mark was impressed with himself. "Hey, Mom, what makes kids grow?" he asked.

"I don't know exactly," Mom answered. "A good diet and enough exercise and rest help you grow properly, but of course, it's really God Who gives life and has made our bodies so that they'll grow."

"I wish I were as tall as Dad," said Mark.

"Someday you may be taller," replied Mom with a smile. "Often children grow as tall or taller than their parents. But if you don't grow that tall, that's okay, too."

"Bill says he hangs by his hands from a bar every day, hoping he'll get taller," said Mark. "I say he'll just get long arms if he does that."

Mom laughed. "He'll probably just get sore arms from doing that," she said. "Like I said, how tall you grow isn't terribly important, and there's not a whole lot you can do about it anyway. There is one kind of growth you can do something about, though."

"What kind is that?" asked Mark eagerly.

"It's your spiritual growth. The food you eat helps you
grow physically, and the 'food' of the Word of God helps you grow spiritually,"
explained Mom. "The second chapter of First Peter says we should want the 'milk
of the Word' of God so that we can grow as we obey and use it in our lives. A
new baby is cute, but if it never grows, there is something wrong. That's true
of a new Christian, too-he should grow spiritually and should keep growing as
the months and years go by."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a growing Christian? Do you know more about God now than you did a year ago? Are you trusting Him more fully and believing what He says? Are you more content, more loving, a better witness, a friendlier person, a more cheerful giver? When God speaks through His Word, accept it and obey it. He will use it to help you grow spiritually!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2

[Soldier4Christ]

Rob and Alan leaned their bicycles against a tree and started down the hill. "Tell me again," said Alan. "Why are we here?"

Rob shrugged. "I got disgusted when I couldn't figure out a game, and I . . . uh . . . I sorta threw the pieces on the floor," he said. "Mom said that was no way for a Christian to behave. She told me to pick them up and then come out here, watch a blue heron, and bring back a word-one that applies to God and should apply to me, too."

Alan pointed to a large, bluish bird with a long neck and stick legs. "Well, there's a heron over there," he said. "Let's go sit on the bank and watch him."

 "Bo-o-r-ring!" muttered Rob after a moment. "He's not even moving."

"Give him time, Rob," said Alan. Just then the heron took a step in slow motion. "I think he's fishing," whispered Alan. "Just watch!" Suddenly the heron's head shot into the water and came up with a fish hanging cross-wise in his beak. "He got one! Think that's the word your Mom wants-fishing?"

"Couldn't be," muttered Robert. "That wouldn't apply to God."

"I have an idea," said Alan. "It looked like nothing was happening with heron, right? But something was happening; it just took time."

"You sound like my mom," said Rob. "She's always telling me I get upset way too quick when things aren't going the way I think they should."

"Well, you do," replied Alan. "Like . . . you wanted to quit playing ball because you couldn't get hits at first. But it just took time-remember?"

"I know," admitted Rob. He tossed a stone, making it skip across the water. "I guess I'm not very pa . . ." Rob sat up straight. "That's the word! Patience!"

"Sure it is," agreed Alan. "God is patient, and we should be patient, too." He grinned. "Can we play now?"

"Yeah. Bet I can make a stone skip more times than you," challenged Rob.

"You're on," agreed Alan, "and I'll beat you for sure if
you're impatient and give up right away."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How patient are you? Aren't you glad God is patient? It's a characteristic He wants to develop in you. When you find yourself getting impatient, remember that God and others often have to be patient with you. Thank Him for not giving up on you, and ask Him for help in developing patience yourself.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"O man of God . . . pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11

[Soldier4Christ]

Peter looked up from the made-to-scale model of an old frontier town he was building. He grinned. "Hi, Dad. I was just measuring to put the roof on the bank," he said. "Looks great, don't you think?"

Dad came in to look at the tiny buildings. "Yes, it does," he agreed.

"I can't wait to see it all painted and finished," said Peter, "but it will still take a lot of work first. I have to measure carefully to get everything the right size."

Dad watched a little longer. "Before you get too involved here," he said, "I think you should finish your lesson for tomorrow's Bible Club meeting."

Peter sighed. "I really wanted to get more of this done tonight," he said.

"I know, but . . ." Dad paused and picked up the ruler Peter had used to measure the tiny pieces for the buildings. "Do you really need this ruler?" asked Dad. "You could get done faster if you'd just guess how big to make each piece."

Peter shook his head. "But it wouldn't get done right-you have to use a ruler," he insisted.

Dad nodded. "We need a 'ruler' in life, too," he reminded Peter. "We need something to tell us how God wants us to live. It wouldn't be good to guess at the measurements for your buildings, and it isn't good to guess at how God wants you to behave in your daily life, either. You need a ruler-something to tell you what's right-for both of those things. So . . . what do you suppose the ruler for life is?"

Peter stopped working. "It's the Bible, isn't it?" he asked. Dad nodded. "So you're saying that by doing my Bible lesson I'll be learning things about God and how I should act?" Again Dad nodded. "Well . . . okay," agreed Peter. "I'll go and get the lesson done. I guess my model town can wait one more day."

"Right," approved Dad. "And when you learn what God wants
of you, be sure to do it."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use the "ruler" God provides? Do you attend Sunday school or some other Bible study? Do you study God's Word, the Bible? It gives principles to guide your behavior in your daily relationships with family, teachers, and friends. It helps you know what pleases Him and what does not. Study your Bible to learn how God wants you to live-and then obey it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." Colossians 3:16

[Soldier4Christ]

Shane sat up in bed with a start. Something woke me up. What was it? he wondered. The floors creaked downstairs, and Shane thought he heard footsteps. Is somebody down there? Or am I just imagining things? Feeling scared, Shane tiptoed across the hall and tapped lightly on his parents' bedroom door. "Dad . . . Dad," he whispered. "I think there's a prowler downstairs."

Mom and Dad both sat up, and they heard sounds downstairs, too. "Stay here," Dad cautioned, "and I'll investigate." Slowly, he sneaked down the stairs. Shane and Mom heard what sounded like a door closing and then soft voices. A moment later, Dad came back up the stairs, gently leading Shane's brother Lee.

"There's your prowler," Dad said quietly after guiding Lee back into his own room. "Your brother has been walking in his sleep. Go to bed now. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

The next morning, Shane grinned at Lee. "Dad said you made a sandwich and put it in your school lunchbox," said Shane.

Lee laughed. He could hardly believe what had happened. "I guess I was going to school," he said, "but I don't know why I'd do that! I like school, but not enough to go there in the middle of the night!"

The following Sunday, Shane nudged his brother as they headed home from church. "Hey, we talked about you in Sunday school today," said Shane. "I told my class about you walking in your sleep."

Lee grinned. "Of course, you did. I'm famous now," he declared.

"Mr. Hall used it for an illustration," Shane reported.
"He said it was sort of like the way some people go through life. They go
through the motions of living like Christians-you know, going to church and
doing the kinds of things Christians do-but it's like they're asleep when it
comes to understanding they can get to heaven only through Jesus. Mr. Hall says
we need to lead people to Him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you go through the motions of the Christian life-reading your Bible, attending church, praying, being "good"-yet you have never trusted Christ as your own personal Savior? Going through the motions won't save you from your sins, but accepting Christ will. Will you do that today?

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." John 1:12

[Soldier4Christ]

The front door opened quietly. Good. No one in sight, thought Tom. He tiptoed down the hall and into his bedroom. Carefully, he shut his door, cringing at its familiar creak. He quickly slid his report card into his baseball card album. Mom will never think to look there, he thought.

When Dad came home, Tom was outside playing ball. Dad greeted him, then went on into the house where Mom was making supper. With a smile, Dad took a new baseball card from his pocket. "Look what I got for Tom," he said. "He's been wanting this one. I'll put it in his album as a surprise for him." But when Dad opened the album, he found the report card!

"Tom," Dad called to him from the back door a few moments later, "come here, please." As Tom came running, he saw Dad holding the report card, and he slowed his pace. "Why did you hide this?" Dad asked him.

Tom looked at the ground. "I . . . I was ashamed of it," he said.

"I'm sorry to see some of these grades, too," said Dad, "but I'm even more sorry about the way you tried to hide this." Dad frowned. "Have you ever thought about what kind of grades you might get if God gave out report cards?" Dad asked.

"I . . . ah . . . I guess not," mumbled Tom.

"God knows everything we do," Dad reminded him. "If we did get report cards from Him, what kind of grade do you think you'd deserve today in the subject of honesty?"

"I . . . I'd deserve a failing grade," admitted Tom.

"I'm afraid that's true," agreed Dad. "What do you think you should do about it?"

"Ask God to forgive me?" suggested Tom solemnly.

Dad nodded. "Yes," he said, "and then depend on Him for
the strength you need to live each day in a way that will bring honor to
Him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What grade would God give your behavior? Try making a list of things you know you should do . . . such as obey your parents, help others, be honest, be kind, etc. For each item, give yourself the grade you think God would give you. Ask Him to forgive you when you know you deserve a poor grade. Ask Him to help you please Him in all you do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Revelation 22:12

[Soldier4Christ]

 Reflections

Tina held a picture from a magazine under her chin as she gazed into the mirror. She had worked a long time trying to get her hair arranged like the famous movie star's hair. Tina turned toward her sister, Beth. "Well? Do I look like Peg Grisbon?" asked Tina.

Beth shrugged. "A little, maybe. Come on-we've got to go. Mom and Dad are waiting." The girls hurried out to the car.

On the way to the lake, Tina mentioned the movie star again. "Peg's so beautiful," she said with a sigh, staring at the picture she had brought along.

"Why do you want to be like her?" asked Beth. "She's weird!"

"But this magazine says she has such an exciting life," insisted Tina.

"That doesn't mean it's a good way to live," said Mom. "From what I've heard and read, her life style isn't one a Christian should copy. I believe she's been married several times and has been arrested for drugs." Tina sighed and changed the subject.

After arriving at the lake, everyone piled out of the car, and soon they were enjoying a picnic lunch. "The lake is so lovely," observed Mom as they munched on fried chicken. "Look how blue it is."

"The water isn't really blue, though," said Dad. "The lake is reflecting the blue sky." After eating, they did some hiking, fishing, and other activities. "It looks like rain," said Dad when he noticed the gathering clouds. "We'd better go."

As they got in the car and drove away, Mom pointed toward the water. "Look at the lake now," she said.

"Wow! It isn't very pretty anymore," said Tina. "It sure isn't blue now-it's gray. What made it change so much?"

"It still reflects the sky, but now the sky is cloudy," explained Dad.

"The lake doesn't have a choice about what it reflects," said Mom thoughtfully, "but we can choose." Tina was quite sure Mom was thinking about her comments regarding Peg Grisbon. "People like movie stars or sports figures are sometimes idolized, and their admirers try to copy them," added Mom, "but the lives of those people are gray compared to the beautiful life of Jesus. We should be reflecting Him and no one else."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your life reflecting the beauty of Jesus? Or do you wish you could be like some athlete, singer, skater, or other star? Is there a friend or relative whose life seems glamorous to you? Compared to Jesus, the life of any human being is gray. Perhaps you've sung the song that says, "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me." Make that your prayer. Reflect Jesus and His way of life, not the life of someone else.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He who says he abides in Him (Jesus) ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:6

[Soldier4Christ]

"What is wrong with this thing!" Diana cried out. She burst into tears. "These numbers won't balance. Tomorrow when I turn in the treasurer's report for our club, everyone will think I'm dumb-and Natalie will be so happy!"

Dad looked up from his paper. "Speaking of Natalie, I haven't seen her lately," said Dad. "Why would a mistake in your report make her happy? I thought she was your best friend."

Diana hesitated. "Well, we . . . we sort of had a disagreement," she said. "We both wanted to be the club treasurer. I got elected, but she still tried to tell me how to do the job. I finally informed her I'd do things my own way. She said that would be a big mistake. We haven't spoken to each other since."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Dad as his eyes scanned over Diana's report. He pointed to some of the numbers at the top of the column. "I think you need to start right back at the beginning and carefully add these again."

"Okay," agreed Diana with a sigh, "but I don't see how that will help. I used my calculator-and it can't be wrong, can it?" But she got busy and began adding again. "I found my mistake, Dad!" she exclaimed after only a few minutes. "It's way at the beginning of the column. I subtracted one of these numbers instead of adding it."

Dad nodded. "You know, Diana," he said, "I think it would be a good idea to go back to the beginning of your problem with Natalie, too."

"What do you mean?" asked Diana.

"Think about when this all began," said Dad. "Should you
have done something differently? It sounds like both of you selfishly wanted
your own way. Then you hurt each other by using cutting words, right? That kind
of behavior doesn't please God, and it usually doesn't make us feel very good,
either." Dad put an arm around Diana. "Why don't you go to Natalie and apologize
for the way you acted? Listen to what she has to say. I'm sure she has some good
ideas. How about it?" Slowly, Diana smiled, then nodded.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there someone you've had a disagreement with? Are you sure it was all that person's fault? Ask God to show you what you might have done wrong, then go to the other person and talk it over-apologize if needed. Don't carry old grudges into the new year. A restored friendship will make both of you happy. Best of all, it will please God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all." 2 Timothy 2:24

[Soldier4Christ]

Jeremy jumped up when he heard his father call his name. "Sounds like Dad's ready to go, Rick," he said. The boys had played in Rick's room while their dads talked out in the yard.

Rick stood in the doorway as Jeremy left. The night was black; no moon, no stars. "Hey . . . don't you have a flashlight?" asked Rick. "You can borrow mine."

"We won't need one-it's not very far to our house. We'll just cut across the field and through the woods," replied Jeremy as he went out. "See you at school tomorrow." He hurried over to where his dad was saying goodbye to Rick's father.

Jeremy and Dad started home. It was a bit hard to see in the darkness, but they found the path the boys had worn through the woods. As they wound their way around the trees, suddenly . . . thunk! "Owww!" Jeremy exclaimed. He rubbed his forehead. "I never even saw that branch!" As he spoke, he heard. "Zzzzkt! Zzzzkttt!" What's that? he wondered. He wasn't usually afraid in the dark, but these sounds seemed different . . . threatening even! I'm glad Dad's with me! Jeremy's eyes strained to see what was ahead.

"Dark, isn't it?" observed Dad. "We should have brought a flashlight."

"Yeah," agreed Jeremy. "Truth is, Rick offered me one, but I said we wouldn't need it."

Dad laughed. "Oh, well," he said, "maybe all this darkness around us will renew our appreciation for the fact that we have the light of the world with us."

"The light of the world?" asked Jeremy. "So turn it on."

"Oh, it's on all right," said Dad. "The Bible says Jesus is the light of the world, remember? People are lost in the darkness of sin, but Jesus came to give God's light to all who will trust in Him."

"And we sure need light," added Jeremy, "even when we think we don't!"

"Yes," agreed Dad. "I'm glad we both have Jesus to help
us as we travel life's pathway. That's much more important than having a light
on this path."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know Jesus, the light of the world? Perhaps you don't feel like you need Him, but making your way through life without Him is like walking in darkness. You may often not know where to turn or what to do. Jesus wants to help you. Trust Him as Savior, and then follow Him each day. You can reach a home in heaven only by receiving Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
(Jesus said) "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

[Soldier4Christ]

Luke was worried. He and his family had been living in their new home a whole week, but he still hadn't seen any kids in the neighborhood. He'd moved away from good friends and was beginning to think he would never find new ones here.

"Pray about it," said Dad when Luke told him his problem.

"Pray about it," said Mom when Luke told her about it.

"Pray about it," said his older sister when Luke looked sad.

So Luke prayed. He asked God to send him a friend-someone he would like as much as he liked his old friends, Cameron, Todd, and Sam. He sure missed them all since he moved!

The next morning the doorbell rang. "It's for you, Luke," Mom called up to his room. "Someone's here to see you."

Luke bounded down the stairs. There at the front door stood . . . a girl! She had blond curls and freckles, and she wore a blue baseball cap. "Hi," she said. "My name is Toby, and I live right behind you. I was hoping someone with kids would move into your house, but I didn't see you outside until yesterday. There aren't many kids around here, so I hope we can be friends. Hey, do you collect baseball cards?"

"Yes . . . yes, I do," stammered Luke. "Do you . . . ah . . . want to see them?"

Toby came in, and the two spent an hour looking at cards and talking baseball. "I have a tree house in my back yard," said Toby. "Come over after lunch, and I'll show it to you."

After Toby left, Luke turned to his mom and shook his head. "I asked God for a friend, but I didn't think He'd send a girl!"

"Sometimes God says 'no' to our prayers," said Mom. "Sometimes He says, 'wait,' sometimes he says 'yes,' but sometimes . . ." Mom hesitated, then she chuckled. "Sometimes He gives us a surprise."

"You've got that right!" Luke laughed. "Can we eat soon so I can go see Toby's tree house?"

"Sure!" agreed Mom. "Right away."

[Soldier4Christ]

Luke was worried. He and his family had been living in their new home a whole week, but he still hadn't seen any kids in the neighborhood. He'd moved away from good friends and was beginning to think he would never find new ones here.

"Pray about it," said Dad when Luke told him his problem.

"Pray about it," said Mom when Luke told her about it.

"Pray about it," said his older sister when Luke looked sad.

So Luke prayed. He asked God to send him a friend-someone he would like as much as he liked his old friends, Cameron, Todd, and Sam. He sure missed them all since he moved!

The next morning the doorbell rang. "It's for you, Luke," Mom called up to his room. "Someone's here to see you."

Luke bounded down the stairs. There at the front door stood . . . a girl! She had blond curls and freckles, and she wore a blue baseball cap. "Hi," she said. "My name is Toby, and I live right behind you. I was hoping someone with kids would move into your house, but I didn't see you outside until yesterday. There aren't many kids around here, so I hope we can be friends. Hey, do you collect baseball cards?"

"Yes . . . yes, I do," stammered Luke. "Do you . . . ah . . . want to see them?"

Toby came in, and the two spent an hour looking at cards and talking baseball. "I have a tree house in my back yard," said Toby. "Come over after lunch, and I'll show it to you."

After Toby left, Luke turned to his mom and shook his head. "I asked God for a friend, but I didn't think He'd send a girl!"

"Sometimes God says 'no' to our prayers," said Mom. "Sometimes He says, 'wait,' sometimes he says 'yes,' but sometimes . . ." Mom hesitated, then she chuckled. "Sometimes He gives us a surprise."

"You've got that right!" Luke laughed. "Can we eat soon so I can go see Toby's tree house?"

"Sure!" agreed Mom. "Right away."

[Soldier4Christ]

It seemed to Alex that every tree in town was decorated with a yellow ribbon! He knew they were put there to welcome servicemen home. "But why yellow ribbons?" he asked his mother. "Why not red, white and blue ones?"

 "Well, there's an old story about it-actually, there are a several different versions of the story," said Mom. "According to one, a young man-we'll call him Jim-committed some crime and went to prison far from his home. In those days, people couldn't travel as easily as we do now, so his family was not able to visit him. After several years he was released, but he was afraid they would not want him back home. He sent a letter to his wife. 'I am so sorry for the way I behaved, and I'll understand if you never want to see me again,' he wrote, 'but I still love you very much. I've learned the bus route still goes right past your house, so next Friday I'll be on the four-thirty bus. If you can forgive me and want me to come home, tie a yellow ribbon around the trunk of the old oak tree out in front of the house. If it's there, I'll get off, but if it's not there, I'll stay on the bus and stay out of your life.'

"On the bus the next Friday, Jim was very nervous. 'Sir,' he said to the man sitting next to him, 'will you do me a favor?' Jim told the man his story. 'I'm so afraid to look,' said Jim. 'Will you look for me and tell me if there's a yellow ribbon tied around that old oak tree? The house is about a mile down the road.' The man agreed, and Jim buried his face in his hands.

"As the bus rounded a curve, the man watched for the tree. Suddenly, he grabbed Jim by the arm. 'Look!' shouted the man. 'Look!' Jim looked. He saw a yellow ribbon around the tree trunk-and more yellow ribbons hanging from almost every branch! His wife and other family members stood in front of the tree, waving a big sign that said, 'Welcome Home, Jim! We love you!'"

"Wow! Sounds kinda like the prodigal son story," said Alex.

Mom nodded. "Since the story became well-known, yellow
ribbons have become the symbol that says, 'Welcome home!'"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a run-away? Perhaps you haven't run away from home, but have you tried to run-away from God? Are you a Christian who is stubbornly doing things that don't please Him? God wants you to admit your sin and turn from it. The "yellow ribbon story" shows that the love of family is great. But the love of God is even greater! He wants to welcome you back into fellowship with Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Key Verse: "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.'" Luke 15:18

[Soldier4Christ]

"What a way to spend Christmas vacation!" said Drew when he returned home from Band Camp. "On Monday I played my trumpet so long and hard that I split my lip. And our whole group had to get up early every morning for a march before breakfast-and after breakfast, we marched again!"

"Didn't you have any fun?" asked Drew's little sister.

Drew grinned. "Sure, Kadie. One night we had a huge pillow fight," he said. "We did a few other fun things, too, but we sure worked hard most of the time."

When school-and band-started up again, Drew found he could hold high notes much longer than before Band Camp. And his legs felt really strong and tough when the band marched, preparing for a big parade. I guess all those hours of practice did some good, he admitted to himself.

Later that day, Drew turned his ankle in gym and the school nurse said to stay off it for several days. "Poor Drew!" sympathized Kadie.

Drew shrugged. "One good thing is that I don't have to march with the band!" he said. "Mr. Artez, our director, is making us work really hard."

When Drew was ready to rejoin the band a few days later, he got the flu. That worried him. "Missing a little practice is one thing, but I want to march in that parade," he said. "I hope nothing else bad happens." And nothing did.

On the day of the parade, Mr. Artez wasn't quite sure Drew was in shape for marching. "I can do it-no problem," insisted Drew, and off he went! He couldn't believe how tired it made him! He was out of shape-and he was very glad to reach the end of the parade route.

At church the next day, Pastor Stewart talked about being spiritually strong. "Our spiritual lives and our physical lives are alike in some ways," concluded the pastor. "We don't have to do anything to get out of shape-but we must exercise regularly to stay in shape."

After what happened in band, I sure can relate to that,
thought Drew. I know just what Pastor Stewart means!




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you out of shape? Physically? That happens if you don't get enough physical exercise. So . . . walk, run, lift weights, play outdoor games-take part in some physical activity. Are you out of shape spiritually? That happens if you don't exercise your faith. So . . . if there's something God is leading you to do, don't hesitate. Trust Him to help you. Depending on Him daily is your spiritual exercise.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Key Verse: "If anyone desires to come after Me (Jesus), let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23