Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Three-Legged Race

"Mom, why did you tell Karen she shouldn't date Steve?" asked Claire as they waited for the three-legged race to start. It was Field Day at the elementary school, and Claire's little brother Jimmy and his friend Caleb were hoping to win the kindergarten lap of the race. "I think Steve's a really nice guy," added Claire.

"I know he is, honey," replied Mom, "but he's not a Christian, you know."

"But why does that . . . oh, look! They're starting!" cried Claire. "I hope Caleb and Jimmy win!"

After watching a few moments, Mom began to laugh. "What on earth is Caleb doing?" she asked.

"Mom! He's pulling Jimmy backwards!" Claire exclaimed. "What's he doing that for?" She impatiently bounced up and down in her seat.

"I think he's heading for that ice-cream stand near the picnic tables," said Mom. The window at the ice cream stand had just opened.

"Oh, poor Jimmy!" cried Claire as her brother tried hard to pull Caleb forward. "Now they're just standing still-neither of them is moving an inch!"

Others in the crowd were smiling as they watched the antics of the two little kindergartners. At last Jimmy gave up and let himself be dragged away by Caleb towards the ice-cream stand. "They're out of the race now," said Claire, shaking her head sadly. "Jimmy should have chosen another partner-someone who wouldn't have dragged him away from the finish line."

Mom snapped her fingers. "Honey," she said, "that's a good example of why I told Karen she shouldn't date Steve."

"What?" asked Claire in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Christian marriage is something like that three-legged race," explained Mom. "With their ankles bound together, Jimmy and Caleb were like one person, and when two people marry, they become one. But if they aren't both believers, then they're like Caleb and Jimmy-pulling in two different directions and not getting anywhere."

"Or ending up in the wrong place!" added Claire. She nodded. "It really is important that Christians marry Christians, isn't it?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you thinking of getting married soon? No, of course you're not! You're much too young. But you're not too young to know that when you do marry some day, God does not approve of a Christian marrying an unbeliever. Your husband or wife should draw you closer to God-not drag you away from Him. Decide now, while you're young, that you'll obey Him in this matter.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14

[Soldier4Christ]

The Murrays concluded their family devotions each day by reading a chapter from a missionary book. They were currently reading about a mission work in South America. "The jungle closed in around Pedro," read Dad. "Ever since he had become a Christian, other members of his tribe were determined to kill him. Even now, several men were not far behind on the jungle trail. There seemed no escape. Pedro prayed as he ran."

"This is so scary," Mary whispered.

Dad continued reading. "Suddenly a dark-skinned man stepped out of the bushes just ahead. He motioned for Pedro to follow him and started moving deeper into the jungle. Should I follow him? Pedro wondered. Is this man a friend? I've never seen him before. Pedro didn't know what to do." Dad looked up, put a marker in the book and closed it. "End of chapter," he said.

"Oh, no!" groaned Kurt. "Just one more page?"

Mom shook her head. "There's school tomorrow and you need to get to bed."

Kurt stretched. "Some people live such exciting lives, and mine is so . . . well, it's so ordinary. It's mostly school, practicing trumpet, studying, eating, sleeping, and school again."

"I wouldn't want the excitement of having someone try to kill me because I'm a Christian!" exclaimed his sister Alexis.

Kurt laughed. "Well, no . . . but I still think my days are pretty dull."

"God knows we need ordinary days to grow and learn about Him," said Dad. "Even great men of the Bible had ordinary days. Take Daniel, for example. He had to . . ."

"His life was exciting!" Kurt interrupted. "He got thrown into a den of lions."

"Another bit of excitement I'm glad to do without," observed Alexis.

Dad smiled. "Daniel didn't face lions every day," he said. "He also did many ordinary jobs in the king's court. And the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker. He must have spent many days sewing, measuring, and cutting. We need to see all our days as gifts from God. Do your best every day He gives you."

With a yawn Kurt stood up. "Yeah. Okay, I better get to
bed then, so I can be rested for . . . ah . . . another ordinary
day."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do exciting things seem to happen to everyone but you? Your days of going to school, eating, playing, sleeping, and more school are part of God's plan to prepare you for the future. If you see each day as a gift from God, it will be easier to perform the "ordinary" jobs like homework, practicing your instrument, and washing dishes or mowing the lawn.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

[Soldier4Christ]

The red numbers on the watch flashed eerily in the darkness. Dylan sighed. Why did I steal it? he wondered. Dylan had never owned a watch, and when he saw this one at a department store, he couldn't resist slipping it into his pocket. I can't wear this, he thought, because Mom and Dad would notice, and how would I explain it? I sure hope nobody at the store saw me take it. Dylan tossed and turned all night, and the next morning, he was worn out from exhaustion and guilt. Maybe things will seem better today, he thought.

At lunch time, Jason noticed several teachers talking quietly together, and one seemed to glance in his direction. In fact, it seemed like everybody looked at him suspiciously. Who saw me take it? he wondered.

That night Dylan heard footsteps in the hallway. "Who's there?" he whispered.

The door swung open, and Dylan's father stepped in. "I just got up for a drink of water, Son," he said. "Is anything wrong?"

 "It's in my top drawer. Go ahead and take it," Dylan sobbed.

Puzzled, Dylan's father turned on the light and opened the drawer. He gave a low whistle as he held up the watch. "Judging from what you said just now, I assume you didn't get this honestly, did you?" he asked. Dylan poured out the whole story, ending with his impression that everybody seemed to know what he had done. Dad nodded. "Actually, Someone did see you take that watch," said Dad, "and He's been bothering you about it."

"But who, Dad?" asked Dylan.

"God saw you," replied Dad. "When the Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, they often have the feeling someone is after them, and they have no rest until they stop running from God and do the right thing."

"I . . . I need to take it back, don't I?" Dylan asked through tears.

Dad nodded. "And what else do you think you should do?" he asked.

Dylan thought a moment. "Confess it to God," he said. So on his knees, Dylan asked for God's forgiveness and promised to take the watch back the very next day and accept the consequences of his sin.

After Dad left, Dylan finally slipped into a deep,
peaceful sleep.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a sin in your heart about which God's Spirit is convicting you? Does it make you feel like someone is "out to get you"-that people dislike you or that they don't trust you? You deserve to feel that way, don't you? Remember, you can't hide from God. He knows all about you, so stop trying to run from Him. Instead, confess your sin and seek the perfect peace of His forgiveness!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The wicked flee when no one pursues. Proverbs 28:1

[Soldier4Christ]

Joanna slipped quietly through the kitchen, hoping to avoid her mother. She hung her jacket in the closet and tried to sneak to her bedroom, but Mom appeared in the doorway. "Hi, honey," Mom greeted her cheerfully. "I didn't hear you come in. Did you have a good day?"

"It was okay." Joanna tried to sound unconcerned.

"How did you do on your social studies test?" Mom asked.

Joanna shook her head. "Not very well," she answered. "I studied so hard, but then . . ." She choked on her words. Taking the test from her notebook, she handed it to her mother. "I thought those lines at the end were just something for us to read, but we were supposed to write something about each one."

Mom frowned as she looked at the paper Joanna had given her. "Honey, when are you going to learn to follow directions?" she asked.

"I don't know," Joanna mumbled.

"Yesterday you tried to make cupcakes," said Mom. "What happened when you didn't follow the directions on the cake mix?"

"I blew it," admitted Joanna, head down.

"What about when you helped with the laundry the other day and didn't sort the clothes like I told you to?" asked Mom.

Joanna giggled this time. "Dad ended up with pink T-shirts."

Mom smiled briefly, too, but she shook her head. "Honey, learning to follow directions is very important," she said. "It's a lesson you need to learn before you get into really serious trouble."

"I . . . I'm not sure what you mean," mumbled Joanna. "Like what?"

"All kinds of things. For example, you could get into
trouble with the law someday," explained Mom. "Or even worse-with God's
principles. His Word is full of instructions for us to follow, and when we
neglect to read and follow them, we often cause ourselves a great deal of
grief." Joanna nodded. She hoped Mom wouldn't ask when she had last read the
Bible or had devotions. "You need to know the directions-on school tests and in
life," added Mom. "That's one reason it's so important to read God's Word. As we
learn what He desires of us and as we yield to His Spirit, He leads us to make
right choices."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When was the last time you read God's Word? The Bible contains many specific directions and many principles God wants you to follow in your daily life. Do you know what they are? Do you follow them? People in some countries don't have God's Word in print, but you do. So read it and follow the instructions God gives.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . . for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

[Soldier4Christ]

When Steven's mother called him into the kitchen, he left his game reluctantly. "What do you want?" he asked irritably.

"Please take care of your books, and sweep up the cookie crumbs you left on the floor," said Mom. "And don't eat any more cookies. I have just enough for the meeting at church."

Steven scowled. "Well, don't leave them out in the open if you don't want them eaten," he grumbled.

"Steven! That was rude!" exclaimed Mom. "I expect an apology."

"Sorry," Steven muttered. He got the broom, and Mom left to do laundry.

Steven's sister Kara came into the room while he was sweeping. "Why are you doing that?" she asked in surprise.

"Beat it!" Steven growled. "Who asked you to stick your nose in?"

"Excuse me!" said Kara dramatically. "I came to tell you something, but now I don't know if I will." Steven punched her on the shoulder, and she darted  behind the table. "Your coach called today," she said. "Mr. Williams wants to hire you to do some yard work. And guess what! He said to be sure to tell Mom he appreciates your respectful attitude at school! What a laugh!"

"I don't know what's so funny," said Steven.

"You are," retorted Kara. "I heard your Sunday school teacher carry on about you, too-telling Dad all about what a fine Christian you are! I guess you've got 'em all fooled, but I think you're just a . . . a 'sometimes' Christian! You'd better not invite any of your teachers to our house. If they see how you act around here, they'll know what a phony you are." Suddenly she snapped her fingers. "On second thought, bring one home every day. Then maybe you'll act as nice here as you do in other places." With that, she headed for the family room.

What's her problem? thought Steven after Kara left. I
haven't done anything so bad. But he couldn't forget what she had said, and he
knew he needed to change his behavior at home. Steven sighed. I guess a good way
to start would be to apologize to Mom and Kara, he decided. I think I'll go do
that right away and get it over with.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you as kind to your brothers and sisters as you are to your friends? Do you speak as respectfully to your parents as you do to your teachers? If your family graded you on the way you behave at home, would they give you an "A"? You may fool most people with nice words and a show of good deeds, but your family knows whether or not your life is really showing Christ's love. And don't forget-God knows, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1

[Soldier4Christ]

Tyler watched his little brother crawl all over the living room. Jimmy picked up a toy, chewed on it furiously, and then threw it down. He made his way to the television set and began pushing the buttons. "No-no," Mom said as she picked Jimmy up. "You need to leave the TV alone." Jimmy squirmed and fussed loudly. "Sh-h-h-h! Stop fussing," said Mom.

"He doesn't like to be picked up when he wants to get at something," said Tyler. He smiled as his little brother wiggled this way and that, trying to get free from Mom's arms. "He sure is a busy baby!"

"Yes, he is," Mom agreed.

When Mom put Jimmy down, he crawled to the television set again. "No, Jimmy! Mommy said 'no,'" repeated Mom. She picked him up and carried him toward his room. "I think it's time for a nap. You're a very tired little boy."

When Mom returned, Tyler was seated on the floor looking out the window. He didn't hear her quietly slip down beside him. "Penny for your thoughts," said Mom with a smile.

Tyler grinned. "Do you get tired of telling Jimmy 'no' so often?" he asked.

"Sometimes," said Mom, "but that's okay. In time, he'll learn what's allowed and what isn't."

"Do you think God gets tired of telling us 'no'?" asked Tyler.

"Maybe, but God doesn't want us to be hurt by getting something that isn't good for us, so when we pray for something, He has to tell us 'no' sometimes," Mom said as she hugged Tyler. "We have to trust Him. He knows what's best for us."

Tyler thought for a moment. "But we don't always like the answers He gives us," he said.

"I know," Mom agreed, "Jimmy doesn't like to be told no,
either, and he fusses about it. As he grows older he'll learn to quit fussing
and accept our answers. As we grow to know Jesus better, we should learn to
accept His answers to prayer, even when they're not what we wanted." She smiled.
"Trust Him, Tyler," she added. "Ask Him to help you want what He wants for your
life."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you feel when you pray and don't get the answer you want? Do you "fuss" and complain? Do you feel like you might as well not pray anymore? Or have you learned, as the Apostle Paul did, to accept God's answers? God wants you to come to Him and tell Him your hurts and your desires. Be assured that He knows what is the right answer for each situation. Pray for His will to be done, and trust Him to give you what is best!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Robert watched as his dad pounded a post into the ground close to a young tree and then began to tie the tree to the post. "Why are you doing that?" Robert asked.

"If I don't," Dad answered, "this tree will not be straight and tall when it's fully grown." He put his hand on the small tree trunk. "See how it's beginning to lean to the left? If I don't do something about that now, it will keep on leaning until it's too late to correct it."

When Dad finished the job, Robert patted the tree, a grin on his face. "Don't take it too hard, little tree," he said playfully. "It might hurt now, but later you'll be glad you were straightened out."

"Is that how you feel when I have to straighten you out on certain things?" Dad asked with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Robert looked at his dad in surprise.

"Well, when I see you doing things that aren't very Christ-like, it's my duty to correct you and help you change your ways," explained Dad. "Are you glad I do that for you?"

Robert didn't answer immediately. He could remember various times he had been punished. Sometimes he'd been grounded or not allowed to watch TV or assigned extra chores. That isn't any fun, but I guess it works, he thought. At least it sometimes keeps me from doing the same bad stuff     over again.

"I don't like to punish you," Dad was saying, "but if I'm going to be the kind of father you can be proud of, and if you're going to be the kind of son I can be proud of-and the kind of person God wants you to be-it's sometimes necessary."

Robert knew his dad was right. "Yeah, I'm glad you
correct me," he said with a grin. "Just don't ask me how I feel about it when
it's happening!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you feel when you're disciplined for doing wrong things? Are you angry and resentful? Or do you recognize that someone is working to help you become a better person? God says correction is necessary to make you what you ought to be. Discipline may sting, but be thankful for it. Thank God for parents, grandparents, teachers, or other adults who care enough for you to correct you and help make you the person God wants you to be.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Chasten (correct) your son (or daughter) while there is hope. Proverbs 19:18

[Soldier4Christ]

Patrick loved fishing and always took a long time getting ready. He would check his tackle box to make sure all the lures and hooks were in order, and he would check his rod thoroughly. He'd also dig a good supply of worms. All his care paid off-he nearly always came home with a string of fish. Sometimes his friend Bryce went with him. They had great fun together-fishing, talking, and especially eating the picnic lunch they took with them.

When Patrick got home from fishing one day, his mother noticed he was unusually quiet. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Well, when Bryce and I were eating the lunch you sent with us today,

he asked me why I always bow my head and close my eyes for a few minutes before I eat," replied Patrick. "I told him I was praying, and he asked why I was doing that."

"And what did you tell him?" asked Mom.

"I told him I was thanking God for our food," said Patrick. "Then Bryce asked me about church and God and all sorts of things, and I didn't know what to say! I never thought about why we go to church, or how I know God loves me. I just know, that's all!" Patrick was obviously feeling frustrated.

"Oh, I see." Mom was thoughtful. "Do you know what it means to be a 'fisher of men'?" she asked after a moment.

"Sure," answered Patrick. "It means to try to bring others to Jesus. We talked about that in Sunday school just a few weeks ago. When we were little kids, we sang a song about being fishers of men, too."

"Well," said Mom, "before you go fishing for fish, you
always prepare very carefully. I've noticed you checking your rod and
tackle-you're very thorough. We need to be prepared when we're fishing for men,
too. Let's think and talk about the things Bryce asked you. We can look up some
Bible verses, too-becoming familiar with God's Word is part of preparing to be a
fisher of men. So let's prepare, and then when the chance comes, you'll be ready
with an answer for Bryce-or for anyone who asks."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What will you say if you're asked why you believe in Jesus? Or why you go to church or read the Bible? Being familiar with your Bible and knowing where to locate passages about salvation, godly behavior, or attitudes will help prepare you for unexpected questions. It will help you become an effective "fisher of men"-one who knows better how to bring friends to Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15

[Soldier4Christ]

Amber fastened her seat belt. Her family was flying to South Dakota to visit her grandparents, and she was glad she had a window seat. She didn't want to miss a thing! "This is fun!" she exclaimed as the plane roared down the runway. When they were airborne, she looked down. The rivers and highways wound through the countryside like yards of ribbon.

 "Oh, look at the clouds!" exclaimed Amber's sister Paige. "They're so fluffy, and they look so soft."

Amber giggled. "We can pretend we're fairy princesses floating around the sky on a cloud," she suggested.

"That's silly!" scoffed their brother Ben. "You can't float on clouds-they wouldn't hold you up at all." As he spoke, the plane flew right through a cloud. "See?" he said. "You'd just go right through them."

"It would be cool to reach out and touch one of them," observed Paige.

"You can when it's foggy," Ben told her. "We learned in school that fog is a cloud in contact with the ground, so touching one is no big deal."

"Well, floating on one would be," said Amber. She tossed her head. "And I can pretend if I want to," she added when she saw that Ben was going to answer her. Her eyes sparkled. "Besides, I know somebody who went up in the clouds."

"You do not," scoffed Ben.

"Yes, I do," insisted Amber. "Our Sunday school lesson last week was about how Jesus went back to heaven on a cloud. Well . . . sort of, anyway. The Bible says the disciples saw a cloud 'receive Him out of their sight.' And He's coming back the same way someday."

Dad smiled. "That's right," he agreed, "and when Jesus comes back to take Christians to be with Him in heaven, those who have died will rise from the graves first. Then those who are alive will be caught up with them 'in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.'"

Paige grinned at her brother. "And that," she said, "will
be even better than floating around on a cloud."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Will you be among those who meet Jesus in the clouds when He returns? There's only one way to make sure you're ready for that day. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins. Confess your need to Him, accept Jesus as your personal Savior, and receive the gift of salvation. Then you can look forward to being caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus and going to live with Him forever in heaven.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We . . . shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

[Soldier4Christ]

When Amber's family reached the Black Hills of South Dakota, her grandparents met their plane. "Well, what shall we do today?" asked Grandpa. "Shall we go to our house so you can rest a bit, or are you ready to see the sights?"

"Can we go see Mount Rushmore?" asked Amber. "It sounds so cool. I know there are four faces carved into the side of the mountain. One is George Washington, one is Abraham Lincoln, and . . . I can't remember who else."

"Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt," said Ben quickly. "They were all United States presidents."

Grandpa nodded. "Okay," he said, "if everyone agrees, let's go see it."

When they reached the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, they parked the car and got out for a closer look. They learned more about how the work was done and methods that had been used. They admired the carvings from a distance and then walked the trail that took them a little closer to the site.

 When they returned to the car, Amber looked up at the four heads again. "I think I'll have my head carved in a mountain someday," she said playfully. "Would you like to see me from the front, or from the side?" She turned her head so the others could see both angles.

Ben and Paige laughed out loud. "Forget it!" advised Ben. "It's a huge, dangerous job. They only carve important people."

"Of course, we're all important to God," said Grandpa with a smile, "and He's working on us now, carving into our lives experiences that help us grow to be more like Jesus."

Dad nodded. "If you got up really close, you'd see just parts of the rocks," he said. "You need to be at a distance to see all the men's faces-the whole group together. It's like that with our lives, too. We're too close to the events to see how they fit together. God sees the entire picture of our lives from the distance of eternity, and He knows just what's needed. As the Bible says, His way is perfect."

"I like what He's carving in our lives right now,"
observed Paige. "I'm having fun." She held up her camera as she added, "And when
things don't look so good to us, all the pictures we took will help us remember
that God sees our whole lives and carves them out just right."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you happy with what God is carving in your life right now? Are you enjoying your vacation from school? Having fun with your friends? Doing well in your family? Are there also things you wish were different? Do you wish you lived in a different place? That you had a new bike? That you didn't have to take piano lessons? Trust God to work everything for your good in whatever place or circumstance He puts you. He's the Master "carver" and knows the perfect way for you to go.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
All things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28

[Soldier4Christ]

As Janet walked into the nursing home with her mother, she wrinkled her nose. "It's hot in here, and it doesn't smell very good, either," she grumbled.

"Most of the people here are old," Mom replied, "and they often like it very warm. Many are on medications, too, and that sometimes makes an unpleasant odor. But after you've visited Grandma Harper and some of the others here, I think you'll be glad you came. They're always such a blessing to me."

Janet frowned. She hadn't really wanted to come in the first place. The stuffy room and smell of medication didn't do anything to change her mind! She could not imagine getting a blessing from being there, but she was supposed to give her Sunday school class a report on a nursing home visit, so she just sighed and followed her mother down the hall.

As they entered the first room, Grandma Harper called out cheerily, "Oh, you brought your precious daughter!" Then she turned to Janet. "Honey, you'll have to excuse that outburst, but around here we seldom see beautiful young girls. Most of us have so many wrinkles we've forgotten what it was like to be young." She laughed pleasantly as she spoke, and Janet began to smile, too. Before long, she was telling the elderly woman about her school activities, her Sunday school class, and her recent birthday party.

Several other people came into the room, and at their urging, Janet sang for them. When they asked for another number, Mom suggested she  sing a hymn. Janet did, and soon several quavering, old voices joined the clear, young one  in old, familiar and well-loved hymns.

When they were ready to leave, Janet promised to invite other members of her class to join her the next time she came. "You should hear them sing," she said with a smile.

Back in the car, Janet turned to her mother. "You were
right, Mom," she said. "I'm the one who got the blessing."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there elderly people in your family or hometown who would enjoy a visit from a group of young people? Many sick and elderly people are not able to attend church. Will you visit them and help to make their day brighter? As you share God's blessings with them, you will be blessed, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35

[Soldier4Christ]

"You have scoliosis, Debi. That means you have a curved spine," said Dr. Bryant. He turned toward Debi's mother. "I believe a brace will take care of the problem so surgery won't be necessary." He smiled at Debi. "It will restrict your physical activities some, but not much," the doctor told her. "You'll be able to do almost everything you've always done."

In the following days, Debi received her brace and began wearing it, but she refused to continue with many of the activities she had been involved in before.  "I can't do that with this ugly old brace on," she whimpered when a friend invited her to go on a camping trip. Overhearing her, Mom frowned.

A few days later, Debi's mother heard her talking to a friend on the phone. "It sounds like fun, but I can't do that, Pam," whined Debi.

"What can't you do?" Mom asked later.

"I can't go hiking," Debi answered. "I might hurt my back."

"Debi, a brace on your back does not make you an invalid," said Mom. "You can go hiking if you want to. The doctor said you could do all kinds of things." Debi didn't answer.

On Saturday Mom noticed Debi's room was not in its usual order. "Debi, I think you'd better get busy!" exclaimed Mom in surprise. "You've allowed this room to become quite a mess."

"I can't help it," whined Debi. "My brace is so awkward! I can hardly bend over."

"Honey," said Mom, "you can't continue to use that brace as an excuse. You'll have to adjust to it."

"But I hate it!" stormed Debi. "I don't see why God didn't keep me from having to wear it. He could have!"

"Debi, God loves you. Perhaps He wants to help you become a better person by teaching you discipline and compassion as you wear your brace," replied Mom. She shook her head. "You know, your physical problem can make you a whiner or a winner."

Debi sniffed. "How can I be a winner with this thing?"

"By having the right attitude," answered Mom. "Remember
Job? Everything went wrong in his life-everything but his attitude. He came out
a winner. With God's help, you can be one, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What's your problem? Is it something physical-perhaps a speech impediment, a lame leg, or weak eyesight? Or is it something emotional-like shyness, nervousness, or fear of speaking in public? Everyone has problems. The real question is: How's your attitude? Are you a "whiner" or a "winner"? To be a whiner, you complain a lot. To be a winner, you yield your life with its problems to God.  You seek His help to learn from them, and you allow Him to use you however He sees fit.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71

[Soldier4Christ]

When Dad finished giving thanks at supper time, two-year-old Joey called out, "Yay-men!"

Cindy laughed. "Joey's learning new words," she said as Mom lifted the cover from the casserole dish. "Yuck!" added Cindy. "Cabbage. I hate that!"

"Yuck!" came the echo from the high chair. "Hate dat."

Cindy clapped her hand over her mouth. "Oops! Sorry, Mom!" she exclaimed. "I shouldn't have said that."

Mom nodded as she put some food on Joey's plate. "That's right. But you did say it, and now Joey has heard it and may add it to his memory."

Dad spoke. "Would you pass the cabbage, please?"

"Pwease!" Joey echoed. "Pwease!" He began to eat heartily, a big smile on his face. "Yuck!" he said as he took another bite.

Cindy laughed. "He doesn't even know what he's saying!"

"That's true," agreed Mom. "Joey is like a parrot. If he hears a word often enough, he learns to say it."

"I don't think he's the only one in the family like that," observed Dad. "I've noticed a few bad expressions creeping into your speech, Cindy-words you've probably never made an effort to learn. You've just heard them and let them seep into your mind. And frankly, I doubt if you know what they mean."

Cindy blushed as she remembered several times her parents had corrected her language lately. "That's true," she admitted. "Sometimes I'm surprised myself when I hear the stuff I say. Kids at school talk like that all the time. It gets in my mind and then just slips out of my mouth. I guess I ought to be more careful."

Dad nodded. "We have a big responsibility to spread good
words to those around us. And we have a responsibility to ourselves to allow
only good words to become part of our thoughts and hearts."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about the words you say? Before you repeat the popular expressions your friends use, do you think about what they mean? Would you be embarrassed to have your parents or your pastor hear you using them? God hears them. You are responsible to Him for the words that come from your mouth.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
For every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36

[Soldier4Christ]

"Brian!" hissed Samantha. "Look!" She nudged her brother and pointed to their older sister. Brian looked up and watched as Meredith picked up an empty dish from the table and put it in the refrigerator. "That's the second time she did that," whispered Samantha. Brian raised his eyebrows, and they both burst out laughing.

"Mom," Samantha said later, "have you noticed Meredith? She does the dumbest stuff. All she thinks about is Chad coming next week! She can't concentrate on anything!"

Mom smiled. "That's pretty normal for a girl with only a few weeks left till her wedding."

Samantha sighed. "Chad is all she talks about!"

"Well, that's pretty normal, too, I'd say," replied Mom with a smile. After a moment, she added, "Actually, I think we should all be more like Meredith."

Samantha looked at her mother in horror. "You've got to be kidding!"

Mom laughed. "Christians are called the 'Bride of Christ,' you know, so we're also waiting for our 'bridegroom'-Jesus-to come," she explained. "When He comes back, He'll take Christians-His bride-to heaven. We should be eagerly thinking about that time and looking forward to it."

"Well," said Brian who had come into the room, "I hope you don't mean we should put the dirty dishes in the refrigerator like Meredith did!"

Mom laughed. "No," she said, "but I do think most of us should talk about Jesus more often. Chad is constantly on Meredith's mind because she loves him so much. That's why she thinks about him and talks about him all the time."

Samantha frowned. "I know I don't think about Jesus all the time. Does that mean I don't love Him?" she asked.

"No," Mom said reassuringly, "but if your love for Him
doesn't grow, that would be a cause for concern. Keep following Jesus and think
often about all He's done for you. And don't hesitate to talk about Him,
either."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you often think about-and talk about-Jesus? He willingly suffered so you can spend eternity in heaven with Him rather than in hell. Think each day about what He did for you and the many blessings He provides for you. As you do that, and as your love for Him grows, it will become more and more natural to let that love be evident to others. It will become more natural to talk about Him as you wait for Him to come back.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

[Soldier4Christ]

Reaching her thirteenth birthday had seemed like the most important thing in Megan's life. "Why are you so glad to be thirteen?" her little sister Marcy wanted to know.

"Because now I'm a teenager, and people will think of me as grown up-or almost," Megan replied.

Marcy still didn't understand. "You mean you were just a kid last night when you were twelve, and today you're a grownup?" she asked.

Before Megan could answer, Mom came into the room. "Megan, your dad just called from Boston," she said. "He's having car trouble and may not be able to get home in time for your birthday party."

"Not get home!" exclaimed Megan. "But he's supposed to pick up my cake! Now I suppose we can't get it in time for the party since your car is at the shop for repairs! Why didn't you have the cake delivered?" Megan glared at her mother. "Everybody knows how important this day is to me, but does anybody care? No! Nobody!" Megan sniffed loudly and seemed ready to cry.

Marcy looked at her big sister. "Are you being thirteen or twelve?" Marcy asked innocently.

The words struck like a barb in Megan's heart. "I . . . I . . ." she stammered. Then she sighed. "I'm thirteen in numbers, but only twelve in the way I'm acting, I guess." She turned toward her mother. "I'm sorry," apologized Megan.

Mom smiled at her. "The bakery isn't far from here. Why don't you and Marcy take the wagon and walk over there to get your cake?" suggested Mom. "You could take your bikes, but then I don't know how you'd carry the cake."

"But I'm too old to run errands with a wagon," Megan
began. "I can't . . ." Suddenly she stopped and whispered a prayer for help.
Dear Lord, she prayed sincerely, I think You're going to have to help me be
thirteen.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you eager to be older? Do you think being grown up happens automatically at a certain age? It doesn't. It's a gradual process. Are you also eager to be older spiritually? Growing physically and emotionally takes time, and growing in the Lord takes time, too. To do that, get to know God's Word, listen to His messengers, and talk to Him. Ask Him to help you become more mature every day-more like your Savior. Don't wait to reach a certain age. Start now!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18