Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Watch it!!" gasped Uncle Sid. "Slow down, Abby!" In the back seat, Jill turned to Zach and grinned. Their sister Abby was a pretty good driver even though she'd had her license for only a week. Uncle Sid had offered to let her drive his car when Aunt Sue had said she needed someone to go get a loaf of bread. But as Abby drove, Uncle Sid instructed her almost non-stop!

"There's a yield sign up ahead. It's a little hard to see," cautioned Uncle Sid. He paused only a moment. "I slow down when I pass this fire station . . . oh, and two lights down we'll turn to the right. Be sure to hug the curb when you turn this way . . . and have you learned that the best way to pull into parking places is . . ." Uncle Sid hardly stopped talking long enough to breathe!

When they reached the store, Abby handed the keys to her uncle. She smiled and winked at Jill. "I think you should drive home, Uncle Sid," said Abby. "You're more familiar with the car than I am."

"Well, dear, are you sure?" Uncle Sid asked as he took the keys.

"Yes, I'm sure," Abby answered. When Uncle Sid was out of hearing range, she murmured, "It's usually fun to drive, but with Uncle Sid . . ." She rolled her eyes and they all laughed.

Mom smiled when the kids told her about the incident. "Don't be too hard on Uncle Sid," she said. "Actually, we're all a little like him at times."

"I'm not," protested Zach. "I trust Abby's driving."

"Yes, but do you always trust God?" asked Mom. "We invite God to take over the 'driver's seat' of our lives, and then we sit beside Him and tell Him exactly how to drive."

Jill was thoughtful. "You mean like . . ." She made a face. "Like when I asked God to help me get on our class baseball team, and then I got upset because I got to play left field instead of pitching?"

Mom nodded. "We need to remember that God knows how to
drive-how to manage our lives-better than we do!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want things your own way? Do you pray about something and then tell God how to answer your prayer? He knows the very best way for you to travel on the "highway of life." You don't know where the "curves" are, or what may be around the next corner, but God does. He knows what difficulties and what pleasures you will face. Trust Him to help you through all of them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths." Psalm 25:4

[Soldier4Christ]

Sam groaned as he picked himself up from the snow. His feet were in great big boots, and the boots were locked onto two long sticks of wood. You guessed it-Sam was learning to ski. He had saved his money and begged to go along with his big brother. "Sure, you can come, but I'm warning you-it isn't as easy as it looks," Mike had said with a smile.

Sam found out in a hurry that Mike was right. "I'll never learn how to ski!" Sam exclaimed in disgust. "I just fell for the umpteenth time."

Mike grinned. "Tell you what," he said, "your lift ticket includes lessons for beginners." He pointed to a group of kids at the top of a small hill. "Looks like they're ready to start the class. Go join them and get some pointers."

Sam joined the group, and the ski instructor gathered the beginning skiers around him. He taught them some of the basic moves. Then came the first few trips down the "Bunny Hill," as the easy hill was called. The instructor held a long pole in front of the beginners. They could hold on until they felt a bit steadier.

"That was fun!" Sam exclaimed when he rejoined Mike. "I think I'm ready for the big hill." Just then he lost his balance and fell sideways into the snow. "I guess I'd better practice some more, but I'll be ready soon," Sam declared.

As they headed home after a fun-filled day, Sam was excited. "I was just getting good," he said. "I wish we could skip Bible Club tonight and keep on skiing all evening, but I know Mom and Dad won't let us."

"No," agreed Mike, "and that's good. I remember hearing you complain the other day that you weren't getting much out of doing Bible lessons, but you know what? Learning to ski well is a little like learning to understand the Bible better. The more you work at skiing, the better you get. The more you read your Bible, the more you'll understand it. So work at it, okay?"

"Okay," said Sam, but he sounded doubtful. "It has a lot of words I don't understand," he added. "And Pastor Lee talks about how people did things so much different back in Bible times. I don't understand that stuff, either."

"Well, you needed a ski instructor," said Mike, "and a
Bible instructor is good, too. When you don't understand something, ask for
help-especially from God, but from Mom and Dad or some other adult, too." He
grinned at his little brother. "And remember, don't expect miracles right away.
Anything worth while takes time and effort."

[Soldier4Christ]

Sam groaned as he picked himself up from the snow. His feet were in great big boots, and the boots were locked onto two long sticks of wood. You guessed it-Sam was learning to ski. He had saved his money and begged to go along with his big brother. "Sure, you can come, but I'm warning you-it isn't as easy as it looks," Mike had said with a smile.

Sam found out in a hurry that Mike was right. "I'll never learn how to ski!" Sam exclaimed in disgust. "I just fell for the umpteenth time."

Mike grinned. "Tell you what," he said, "your lift ticket includes lessons for beginners." He pointed to a group of kids at the top of a small hill. "Looks like they're ready to start the class. Go join them and get some pointers."

Sam joined the group, and the ski instructor gathered the beginning skiers around him. He taught them some of the basic moves. Then came the first few trips down the "Bunny Hill," as the easy hill was called. The instructor held a long pole in front of the beginners. They could hold on until they felt a bit steadier.

"That was fun!" Sam exclaimed when he rejoined Mike. "I think I'm ready for the big hill." Just then he lost his balance and fell sideways into the snow. "I guess I'd better practice some more, but I'll be ready soon," Sam declared.

As they headed home after a fun-filled day, Sam was excited. "I was just getting good," he said. "I wish we could skip Bible Club tonight and keep on skiing all evening, but I know Mom and Dad won't let us."

"No," agreed Mike, "and that's good. I remember hearing you complain the other day that you weren't getting much out of doing Bible lessons, but you know what? Learning to ski well is a little like learning to understand the Bible better. The more you work at skiing, the better you get. The more you read your Bible, the more you'll understand it. So work at it, okay?"

"Okay," said Sam, but he sounded doubtful. "It has a lot of words I don't understand," he added. "And Pastor Lee talks about how people did things so much different back in Bible times. I don't understand that stuff, either."

"Well, you needed a ski instructor," said Mike, "and a
Bible instructor is good, too. When you don't understand something, ask for
help-especially from God, but from Mom and Dad or some other adult, too." He
grinned at his little brother. "And remember, don't expect miracles right away.
Anything worth while takes time and effort."

[Soldier4Christ]

Joe and Jana were going to spend the summer in England with their older sister. "Did you forget anything?" Dad asked as they left for the airport. "If so, now is the time to remember before we get too far from home."

"I know you had the tickets and passports in your purse," said Mom. "You haven't taken them out at all, have you?"

"Nope. They're right here." Jana patted her purse.

"How about giving me mine?" asked Joe. "I can carry my own, can't I, Mom? I'll put it in the inside pocket on my jacket."

Jana opened her purse and took out the tickets and passports. "Oh, no!" she exclaimed as she looked at them.

Dad slowed down. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I have Mom's passport instead of mine," wailed Jana. "They were in the same drawer, and I picked up the wrong one."

"Calm down. We have plenty of time," said Dad as he looked for a place to turn around. "It's a good thing you discovered it now, though. Mom's passport wouldn't get you into England."

Mom looked thoughtful. "I'm going to have to tell Mrs. Lewis about this experience," she said. "I've had opportunities to witness to her, and she always tells me about the wonderful Christian parents she has. I've tried to explain that having Christian parents doesn't make her a Christian, but she still seems to think it does."

   "I see what Mom's getting at," said Dad as they headed
back home. "When we accept Jesus, we receive God's righteousness, which is like
receiving a passport to heaven. Just like Jana can't get into England on Mom's
passport, Mrs. Lewis can't get into heaven on her parents' passports-on their
salvation. The decision to accept Christ is a decision everyone has to make for
himself." He smiled. "Much as I hate to backtrack, it will be worth it if it
helps Mrs. Lewis see her need of personally trusting in
Jesus."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have your own "passport" to heaven? Or do you expect to get into heaven because you have Christian parents? They're a blessing, but you must receive your own "passport-God's righteousness-through faith in His Son, Jesus. Trust Him as your Savior today. It's a decision you must make for yourself.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Not having my own righteousness . . . but that which is through faith in Christ." Philippians 3:9

[Soldier4Christ]

"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall have no other gods before me," murmured Kristen softly as they drove home from church.

Kristen's brother Adam frowned. "What are you muttering about?" he asked.

"Our class is going to learn the Ten Commandments," replied Kristen, "so I'm learning the first one for next Sunday." She frowned. "We're supposed to think about what it means, too," she added. "Our teacher says people often worship false gods, even in America , but I never knew anybody who did that."

"Don't be so sure," said Dad. "A job, clothes, popularity, money-almost anything can become a god if it becomes more important to us than the true God. Sometimes it's even another person."

"Seems weird to me," said Kristen.

"What about Haley Richards, at school?" asked Adam. "She dresses and acts so funny lately. I heard somebody say she's imitating some rock star or movie star or something. Maybe she's making an idol of her."

"Oh, that's right!" exclaimed Kristen. "She's always talking about somebody named Shana. Haley tries to walk and talk and sing like her. She fixed her hair like Shana's and tries to dress like her." Kristen laughed. "She told us she and Shana even use the same kind of toothpaste! Isn't that silly? Maybe Shana is a god to Haley."

"That's too bad," said Dad, "but let's be careful to examine our own lives, not just point at someone else. What things-or people-might we put in the place that belongs to God?"

"Ah-h-h . . . how about famous basketball or football players?" suggested Kristen. "I think boys make gods of them."

"Or how about clothes?" retorted Adam. "Or hair styles? That's what girls are always fussing about."

"Any of those things could be a problem," agreed Dad,
"but again-be sure to look at your own life, not someone else's. Be sure you
keep God first in your life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there some "other god" in your life? It's normal to have someone you admire and look up to, but be careful to pick someone who is following Jesus-and even then, don't make a god of that person. Make sure Jesus is your daily pattern and guide. If there are "other gods" in your life-people or things-now is the time to get rid of them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"You shall have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:3

[Soldier4Christ]

"Thank you for our food and for Mom and Dad who work so hard," Jack prayed aloud at dinner one night. "And please, God, help Nick do better at school." He finished his prayer and said "Amen."

Mom passed the spaghetti to Jack. "I'm glad you prayed for Nick. How is he doing?" she asked.

"About the same," Jack replied. He laughed. "He's so weird, and nobody likes him." Jack shook his head and went on to criticize Nick and list some of his faults. "And you know what else?" he asked. "We're supposed to have our bug collections all done by Monday, and Nick is barely started. He's lazy!"

"How many bugs do you have?" asked Jack's little sister Allie.

"Lots," said Jack. "I even have a praying mantis. We learned that they'll eat almost any insect, including their own kind."

"Does your praying mantis really pray?" Allie wanted to know.

"Of course not!" Jack laughed. "It's called that because of the way it puts its front feet together. Did you think it said a prayer for one of its friends and then ate it?"

Dad looked at Jack thoughtfully. "Some people do that," he said. "They say a prayer for someone, and then they eat that person."

"People don't eat each other," Jack protested. "Not in civilized countries."

"They don't eat each other physically," agreed Dad. "But gossiping, criticizing others, and finding fault with them is referred to as 'backbiting' in the Bible. The Bible also speaks of 'devouring' one another. So saying unkind things about people behind their backs is a little like chewing on them, isn't it?"

"Jack did that," piped up Allie. "He said Nick . . ." Mom quickly stopped the little girl from saying any more.

"If we really want to help others, we've got to quit
hurting them and find ways to encourage them," added Dad. "We need to remember
what God says about the way we are to use our tongues."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does someone who's a little "odd" need your help? Someone the other kids criticize and laugh about? Or maybe someone who's just a bit shy? Are you tempted to join in-to "chew that person up"? Why not pray for him or her. Then look for ways to help. Use your tongue to give encouragement, not criticism. God says your words should help others, not hurt them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Comfort each other and edify (build up) one another." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

[Soldier4Christ]

"Did you see Nick at school today, Jack?" Allie asked one evening.

Jack grinned at his little sister. "Yes," he said, "and I didn't 'chew him up," either. (See yesterday's story.) I asked him if he'd like to work with me during study time."

"Good for you!" exclaimed Dad.

"He was so surprised," continued Jack. "We got all of our homework done, and I think he really liked it that I helped him."

"That was very nice of you, Jack. I'm proud of you." Mom was smiling.

"I asked Nick how his bug collection was coming along," added Jack. "He said he hasn't caught many, and he seemed worried about it. He doesn't have much time to work on it because he has to watch his little brothers and sisters a lot. I told him you were going to help me catch a firefly tonight, Dad, and that he could come, too. He said he couldn't, so I told him we'd try to get one for him, anyway. That's okay, isn't it?"

"It sure is," approved Dad. "I bet he appreciates it."

"And you know what else? I invited him to go to church with us next Sunday. He said he'd like that!" Jack shook his head. "He's not so odd when you get to know him. He's really quite a nice guy."

That evening, Jack and Dad caught several fireflies. They put them in a jar, then sat on the back porch watching the flickering lights. Allie came out to see them, too. "They're pretty, " she said. She looked at Jack. "Today you're not a praying mantis," she told him. "Today you're a firefly."

"A firefly?" asked Jack. "What are you talking about?"

"I think she means that fireflies let their lights shine," said Dad with a smile, "and you let your light shine for Jesus by the way you treated Nick."

Jack grinned. "You know something, Dad? Being a firefly
feels a whole lot better than being a praying mantis."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How can you let your light shine for Jesus? On the playground, can you include a lonely person in a game? At home, could you do additional chores? In Sunday school or at lunch, could you invite a newcomer to sit beside you? Will you be a friend to someone who needs a friend? Think of other simple, practical things you can do-not just because you feel like it, but because you love Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

[Soldier4Christ]

Aaron sighed and poked at his half-eaten piece of pie. "Nothing tastes good," he told his mother. "I wish my tongue would quit feeling so funny." Aaron had been to the dentist, and one side of his mouth had been numbed so it wouldn't hurt when the dentist drilled on his tooth.

Mom chuckled. "Give it a little more time," she advised. "There are lots of taste buds on your tongue, and when the dentist numbed your mouth, it numbed those taste buds, too. Why don't you save the pie till later? You'll enjoy it more then." Aaron nodded, got up, and put the pie in the refrigerator. Then he took his jacket from the closet. "It's a little early for you to leave for Bible Club, isn't it?" asked Mom.

Aaron shrugged. "I think I'll skip it today. I'm goin' out to play with the guys," he answered.

Mom frowned. "Spiritual taste buds numbed, too?" she asked.

Aaron stopped, one arm in his coat sleeve, and looked at his mother. "Huh?" he asked. "What do you mean, Mom?"

"Well, I was just remembering that you used to be quite excited about Bible Club," she replied. "You said they had fun quizzes and Bible games and cool songs. You'd come home and tell me about the lesson and what you learned about God and what He expects from us as His children. Then I'd help you learn your next memory verse so you could practice it all week. Remember?"

Aaron nodded. "I still like Bible Club okay," he said, "but there are so many other things to do that . . ." He paused, thinking. Maybe Mom's right, he decided. Maybe my spiritual taste buds are numb. Slowly Aaron hung his jacket back in the closet. "Do I still have time to learn my verse for today?"

"I think so," said Mom. She smiled at Aaron. "The
numbness in your mouth will soon go away by itself, but we have to work at
getting over spiritual numbness. A good way to start is to get back into God's
Word."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you enjoy learning about God? Or have your spiritual taste buds been numbed by such things as TV programs, games, personal hobbies, or homework? Read your Bible and expect God to speak to you. Learn to say with the Psalmist, "Oh, how I love your law." You may be surprised how soon that really will be true in your life as you work at getting rid of spiritual numbness.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Psalm 119:103

[Soldier4Christ]

"The new guy across the street is cool!" Jason told his mother. "His name is Tyler, and he's got a couple bird dogs and some hamsters."

"Invite him over some time-I'd like to meet him, too," said Mom. She frowned. "I've noticed that Seth Wellman is often there," she added. "Is Tyler anything like Seth? I know Seth has often been in trouble at school. His reputation isn't very good."

"Oh, Mom!" Jason sighed. "Tyler is okay. He even offered to take care of Midget while we're gone next week. That way she won't have to go to a kennel." Jason reached down and scratched his dog's ears. "That's okay, isn't it?"

"I guess so," agreed Mom, "but I still want you to remember that your closest friends should be Christians." Jason nodded and went to make arrangements for Tyler to care for Midget.

After their trip, Jason brought Midget home. As he came in the door, he stubbed his toe. His mother was shocked when she heard what he said. "Do you think that kind of language is pleasing to the Lord?" she asked.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that, but my toe hurts so bad!" exclaimed Jason as he hopped around on one foot, holding his toe. He shrugged. "Tyler says stuff like that all the time. I guess I picked it up from him."

"Then I suggest you put it down!" said Mom sternly. "I think you need to spend less time with Tyler."

"Aw, Mom," objected Jason, "I don't do anything wrong when I'm with him."

That evening, Midget scratched and scratched. Jason petted her and ran his fingers through her hair. "Oh, look!" he exclaimed. "Midget has fleas!"

"Give her a bath immediately," Mom ordered, "and use some flea powder."

"She must have gotten those fleas from Tyler's dogs," said Jason as he got up to take care of Midget. "I guess they must be catching."

"Yes." Mom nodded. "And that, Jason, is why I have been so concerned about your close friendship with Tyler."

"You were afraid I'd get fleas?" asked Jason.

"Not fleas," replied Mom. "Bad habits. They're catching, too. For instance, you can pick up things like bad words without even realizing it."

"Oh!" Jason was quiet for a minute. "Okay. I guess
Midget and I had better be more choosy about who we spend our time with," he
admitted.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The new guy across the street is cool!" Jason told his mother. "His name is Tyler, and he's got a couple bird dogs and some hamsters."

"Invite him over some time-I'd like to meet him, too," said Mom. She frowned. "I've noticed that Seth Wellman is often there," she added. "Is Tyler anything like Seth? I know Seth has often been in trouble at school. His reputation isn't very good."

"Oh, Mom!" Jason sighed. "Tyler is okay. He even offered to take care of Midget while we're gone next week. That way she won't have to go to a kennel." Jason reached down and scratched his dog's ears. "That's okay, isn't it?"

"I guess so," agreed Mom, "but I still want you to remember that your closest friends should be Christians." Jason nodded and went to make arrangements for Tyler to care for Midget.

After their trip, Jason brought Midget home. As he came in the door, he stubbed his toe. His mother was shocked when she heard what he said. "Do you think that kind of language is pleasing to the Lord?" she asked.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that, but my toe hurts so bad!" exclaimed Jason as he hopped around on one foot, holding his toe. He shrugged. "Tyler says stuff like that all the time. I guess I picked it up from him."

"Then I suggest you put it down!" said Mom sternly. "I think you need to spend less time with Tyler."

"Aw, Mom," objected Jason, "I don't do anything wrong when I'm with him."

That evening, Midget scratched and scratched. Jason petted her and ran his fingers through her hair. "Oh, look!" he exclaimed. "Midget has fleas!"

"Give her a bath immediately," Mom ordered, "and use some flea powder."

"She must have gotten those fleas from Tyler's dogs," said Jason as he got up to take care of Midget. "I guess they must be catching."

"Yes." Mom nodded. "And that, Jason, is why I have been so concerned about your close friendship with Tyler."

"You were afraid I'd get fleas?" asked Jason.

"Not fleas," replied Mom. "Bad habits. They're catching, too. For instance, you can pick up things like bad words without even realizing it."

"Oh!" Jason was quiet for a minute. "Okay. I guess
Midget and I had better be more choosy about who we spend our time with," he
admitted.

[Soldier4Christ]

Mr. Dutton, the lawyer, opened a folder and cleared his throat. "The last will and testament of Andrew Philip Blackburn," he read. "I, Andrew Philip Blackburn, being of sound mind . . ."

What a strange thing for Grandpa to say, Andrea thought. She glanced around the lawyer's office. She missed her grandfather so much! Everyone looked very solemn, and even the children were quiet.

"To each of my grandchildren, I leave $5,000 to be used toward their education," read the lawyer, and Andrea's eyes widened. Wow! All that for me? She could hardly believe it. Mr. Dutton was still reading. "To my grandson Andrew, I leave . . ."

And so it went. Grandpa had remembered everyone-and all the children had received something special to help them remember their grandfather.

"May we go to the farm, Dad?" Andrea asked as they got into the car. "I want to see Princess!" Grandpa had left his horse to her.

Dad nodded. "We'll do that," he agreed. "I want to pick up Dad's Bible. I'm glad he left that for me."

When they were home later, Andrea leafed carefully through the pages of the old Bible. "The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," she read aloud. "That's almost the same thing the lawyer said this morning," she told her mother. "He called Grandpa's will a 'testament,' didn't he?"

Mom nodded. "That's right. The will is an important document telling what your grandfather left to each of his family members when he died. The New Testament is an important document, too. From it we learn that all who trust Jesus as Savior become members of God's family and have a valuable inheritance-everlasting life and heaven-waiting for them."

"And everyone can have it, right?" asked Andrea.

"Right," said Mom. "God offers it to all. It's too bad
so many refuse to accept what Jesus has done for them and miss out on the
inheritance."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a child of God with an inheritance in heaven? If not, admit right now that you are a sinner and do not deserve to go to heaven. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for you. Confess your sins and trust Jesus to forgive you. He will make you His child, and you will share the inheritance-the glories of heaven-some day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 8:16-17)
"We are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ."

[Soldier4Christ]

"I don't see why I can't go-it's not like I'd gamble or spend any money there," said Tara. "Julia is willing to come to church tomorrow if I go with her this afternoon, so I think I should."

Mom shook her head. "I don't want you going to any casino," she said.

"But, Mom!" protested Tara. "If it will get Julia to come . . ."

"I said 'no,' Tara," Mom stated firmly. With an angry look, Tara marched off to her room.

That afternoon Tara went ice skating with her friends. When she got back home, she was bursting with excitement. "Conner Gray almost drowned!" she exclaimed. "He zipped toward the middle of the lake-right past the danger sign and unto the thin ice. It broke and down he went!"

"He did?" Mom was concerned. "Is he all right?"

Tara nodded. "He was hanging onto the ice, half in and half out of the water. He's just lucky the guys on duty got there on time!"

"Oh, good!" said Mom as she looked at Tara thoughtfully. "Why didn't you skate out and rescue him yourself, Tara?" asked Mom. "You took that life-saving class last summer."

Tara looked at her mother in disbelief. "You're kidding!" she exclaimed. "The men needed boards and ropes and stuff to crawl out and reach Conner." She frowned. "When someone falls through the ice into freezing water, you don't rescue him by going in after him. You'd probably both get trapped under the ice! You know that, Mom."

"Yes, and I'm glad you had the good sense to realize
that, too," said Mom. "Now think about this-when you see someone doing something
wrong, you don't rescue him by joining him, either." Tara knew her mother was
referring to their conversation that morning. "If you do, you might both get
trapped in sin," added Mom. "You need to find some other way to help your
friend."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you try to help your friends? Are you tempted to go someplace or do something wrong in order to get them to listen to you? That would be fooling yourself, not winning your friend. You'd be "skating on thin ice" and endangering both of you. Instead of joining friends in doing wrong, pray for them, live a pure life before them, and encourage them to join you in doing right.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Do not . . . share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure." 1 Timothy 5:22

[Soldier4Christ]

"Guess what happened today," said Ben, letting the door slam behind him.

"Someone freed the frogs in science lab again?" asked Mom as she pulled a pan of cookies from the oven.

Ben laughed. "Nope," he said. "Matt got his own personal cheerleader."

"His personal cheerleader?" asked Mom. "Now you've got my attention."

"It was an experiment. Mrs. Crane wanted us to see how it would change a person's actions if he had someone cheering him on all the time," explained Ben as he sat down at the table. "She said the way people are treated can determine how they feel about themselves and the choices they make."

"Way to go, Mrs. Crane!" Mom cheered. "So what happened?"

"At first it was just funny," said Ben, reaching for a cookie, "but as the day went on, it got totally cool. Mrs. Crane appointed Jon as Matt's cheerleader, so every time Matt did something good, Jon cheered him on. By the end of the day, Matt was doing nice things just to get a cheer. He said it made him feel really good."

"That is cool," said Mom. "I guess Mrs. Crane made her point."

"She sure did," agreed Ben. "It made me wish I had my own cheerleader, too. It would be nice to have someone on your side all the time."

"Well . . . you do have your own cheerleader," said Mom with a grin.

'But you don't count, Mom," said Ben. "You don't get to follow me around."

"No, it's not me," said Mom, sitting down beside Ben. "In a way, God is your cheerleader. The Bible says, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?'"

Ben laughed. "That does almost sound like a cheer," he said.

"When you make good choices, God is cheering," said Mom. "When you study hard and do your best, He's cheering you on. God is always there to encourage you and help you do good things."

"Wow!" said Ben. "My own personal cheerleader! All
right!" He grinned and took a big bite of his cookie.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does God "cheer" when He sees the choices you make? Just think-He is "for you" when you have to decide whether or not to study hard, to be nice to a lonely kid, to be honest, or to help someone. He is "for you" when you wonder if the kids will still like you if you refuse to join them in doing something wrong! He is always there to "cheer you on" to do good things.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"If God is for us, who can be against us." Romans 8:31

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom!" yelled Sara. "Justin won't get out of the bathroom!" She pounded her fists on the door. "He spends more time primping than I do!" After taking one last look at his hair in the mirror, Justin opened the door. Sara stood there waiting. He scowled, shoved her backwards, and called her a bad name under his breath. The screen door slammed behind him as he went outside.

Justin saw a shining, silver four-wheel drive truck in the driveway next door. Their neighbor Tim, a college student, was polishing the truck's chrome bumpers. "Hey, Justin," said Tim, coming around the truck. " How ya doin'? I need to run to the hardware store for some more polish. Want to come along?"

"You bet!" said Justin. "I haven't had a ride in your new truck yet. I'll go make sure it's okay with Mom." He hurried back to check with his mother.

When Justin returned, he opened the door on the passenger side of the truck. Trash fell out onto the driveway. Justin picked it up and started to climb in, but the seat was littered with paper, empty pop bottles, and CD's. "Just push that stuff out of the way," said Tim, getting in on the driver's side. Justin did as he was told, but he was disgusted to find he was sitting on a half-eaten, sticky sucker. He was rather glad when they got back home.

"So . . . how do you like Tim's truck?" asked Mom.

Justin scowled. "I thought it was so cool until I saw the inside. It's a mess!"

"Oh, really? That's too bad," said Mom. "You know," she
added a few minutes later, "when people spend too much time cleaning up the
outside of their lives-showering, grooming, trying to look their best-and forget
about the mess that may be in their hearts, they're pretty much like Tim and
that truck, don't you think?" Justin frowned, expecting to get a scolding he
knew he deserved for the way he had acted toward his sister that morning. "It's
certainly important to be clean and well groomed," continued Mom, "but we need
to remember that what counts most to God is what we're like on the inside. Think
about it."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How much time do you spend on outward appearance? Do you also take that much time to make sure your heart and life are clean? Spend time with God, learning what He desires of you. Ask Him to help you develop love, joy, peace-and all the other "fruit of the Spirit." Ask Him to help you get rid of lying, envy, ugly thoughts, and other "works of the flesh." Be clean inside and out.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look, Dad." Nate held out the camera his mother had brought home. "This camera says 'automatic focus.' What does that mean?"

"It means that no matter how close or far you are from your subject, you won't have to adjust anything to make each picture come out clearly," explained Dad. "There's a little mechanism at the front of this camera that automatically opens or closes the shutter to let in just the right amount of light, too."

Nate held the camera up to his eye and looked through it. "You know what?" he asked. "My science teacher says our eyes work a lot like a camera does. She says the colored part of the eye is like the shutter. It's called the iris, and when the light is real bright, it makes the pupil get smaller. When it's dark, the iris opens up wide to let more light through the pupil."

"That's interesting, isn't it?" Mom joined in the conversation. "I read somewhere that the eye also has a lens that allows things far away to be in focus, as well as things close up."

"The eyes God has given us are very unique," added Dad. "They not only take pictures for us, but like a camera, they also record the pictures they take. The pictures taken with a camera are recorded on a film, and the pictures taken by your eyes are recorded on your brain."

"Wow! I never thought about my eyes recording a picture on my brain," said Nate.

"But that's what happens," said Dad. "That's why your mother and I don't allow you to read certain books or watch certain TV programs. We want your brain to be imprinted with better things."

"That's right," agreed Mom. "We should be careful to use
the cameras in our heads to record good pictures." She smiled as she added, "And
let's be sure to thank God for our eyes and the wonderful way they
work."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are your eyes seeing? Do they see things that leave a good impression on your brain? Does what they see cause you to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely? Do you appreciate the wonderful gift of sight and thank God for it? You can thank Him best by using your eyes to look at things that are good and wholesome and pure!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes." Psalm 101:3