Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Tony slipped into a seat and waited eagerly for the weekly Bible club to begin. He really enjoyed the club meetings. He liked the songs they were learning, and he looked forward to hearing the story his teacher would tell.

Song time was as good as usual, and then Mrs. Jackson got up to give the lesson. "Today we're going to talk about Jesus' disciples-the men He called to be with him while he was teaching here on earth," she began. "One of them is Andrew. And who do you think was the first person Andrew brought to Jesus?"

Several children raised their hands. "His best friend?" guessed Tony.

"Or maybe some guys who lived near him," suggested Travis.

Mrs. Jackson smiled. "I think Andrew probably told many of his friends and neighbors about Jesus," she replied, "and we certainly should do that, too. But let's not forget that there might be someone in our own home who needs Jesus. The very first person Andrew brought to Jesus was his own brother Peter."

Tony squirmed and looked at the floor. His younger brother Jon had wanted to come to Bible club with him, but Tony wouldn't let him. "I don't want you tagging along with me," Tony grumbled. He had pretended not to notice tears forming in his brother's eyes.

The next week, Jon was amazed and delighted when Tony said, "It's time for Bible Club. Do you want to go?" They hurried to Mrs. Jackson's home.

As Mrs. Jackson gave the lesson, she explained that everyone has sinned and only the blood of Jesus can wash sin away. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.) Jon fidgeted and whispered something to his brother. Tony nodded, and after club was dismissed, he took Jon to talk with the teacher. "Mrs. Jackson, my brother isn't a Christian, but he wants to become one," said Tony. "Can you tell him again how to do that?"

"I surely can!" exclaimed Mrs. Jackson.

As Tony and Jon walked back to their home some time later, Jon looked up at his brother. "Can I go to Bible club with you again next week?" Jon asked.

"Sure," Tony replied. "From now on we're going to follow
Jesus together, just like Andrew and Peter did." At Jon's puzzled look, he
grinned. "I'll tell you about them," he said. "See, it's like this . .
."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have brothers, sisters, or parents who don't know Jesus as Savior? Have you invited them to Sunday school or Bible club? Have you told them Jesus loves them and wants to save them from their sins? If you know Jesus, you should be working to bring others to Him, too, and a good place to start is in your own home.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 1:41-42)
He first found his own brother Simon . . . and he brought him to Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Lori totally ignored me at the basketball game," complained Emily to her friend Kayla. "She didn't say one word to me, and I sat right in front of her. What a snob!"

"Yeah," agreed Kayla. "Lots of times she won't speak to me, either-unless she wants some help with her math or something. She's so two-faced! But who needs Miss Stuck-Up anyway?" Kayla glanced at her watch. "Oh, it's getting late. I'd better go. See you tomorrow."

After Kayla left, Emily went to the kitchen where her mother was working. "Oh-h-h! Are you making brownies?" asked Emily.

"Yes, I am," Mom answered as she measured sugar.

"Yum." Emily wiped a drop of chocolate off the counter with her finger.

"I wouldn't do that if . . ." began Mom, but she was too late. Emily's finger was already in her mouth.

"Oh, yuck!" Emily groaned and made a face. "This tastes awful!" She hurried to get a drink. "Mom, what's wrong with that chocolate?" she asked.

"There's nothing wrong with it, but it's unsweetened chocolate. It doesn't have sugar in it," Mom explained. Thoughtfully, she added, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with Kayla. It was something like that chocolate."

"Like the chocolate?" asked Emily in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Well, that chocolate without sugar was bitter, wasn't it?" said Mom. "Things we say can be bitter, too-and it seems to me that your conversation was just that."

"But all we said is that Lori is stuck-up, and she is!" protested Emily. "We haven't been mean to her or anything. In fact, we're always helping her with homework and stuff."

"Perhaps, but . . . chocolate needs to be sweetened to taste good, and God wants our lives and our conversations to be 'sweetened' with love," replied Mom. "The Bible says even the good things we do are worthless if we don't have love. Be sure to remember that, okay?"

Emily nodded slowly. "Okay," she agreed. "I'll do my
best to remember."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you "pursue" love? Is it your highest goal? Today's key verse is very short, but if you do as it says, it will make a big difference in your life. When you're giving, serving, talking about others-whatever you're doing-make sure you are doing it with love. God says that's more important than many other characteristics we all admire.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Pursue love. 1 Corinthians 14:1

[Soldier4Christ]

For days after Cory and his family visited the Kennedy Space Center, Cory talked of nothing but the space program. "It would be cool to be an astronaut someday," he said. "It must have been really, really cool to be on that very first flight into space!"

Cory," said Dad, "did you know that space travel has been around since Jesus' time?"

"Awww, Dad, you heard the guide," objected Cory. "The first manned space flight was made in 1961."

"Read this." Dad handed Cory a Bible opened to the book of Acts. "Read verses nine through eleven of the first chapter."

Cory silently read the verses. "So?" he asked, when he was finished.

"Jesus went up into heaven-space travel!" said Dad with a grin.

Cory laughed. "Okay . . . space travel, but a different kind," he said.

"Right," said Dad, "and some day all those who have accepted Jesus as Savior will be taken up to heaven to be with Him. We'll be space travelers, too."

"But not like today's space travelers!" exclaimed Cory. "The guide at the space center said the government spends thousands of dollars getting astronauts ready for their space missions, but our space travel will be free, won't it?"

"Free to us," agreed Dad, "but don't forget that it cost Jesus a great deal. He gave His life for us and took the punishment we deserve. He paid the price for our salvation so that those who accept Him as Savior can go free."

"The astronauts need special clothes, too," observed Cory, "but we won't need space suits-nor helmets, either, will we?"

"No," said Dad, "although God does refer to our salvation as a garment and a robe of righteousness. So in a sense, only those who have on their special 'space suit of salvation' will be taken to heaven."

"I have mine on!" Cory said with a grin.

Dad smiled and nodded. "I'm glad," he said, "and I have
mine on, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Will you be taking a "space trip" when Jesus returns? Are you wearing the "salvation space suit"? You can put it on by believing that Jesus died to take the punishment for your sin and trusting Him to forgive you and to be your Savior. Make sure you're ready for His return.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He (God) has clothed me with the garments of salvation . . . with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10

[Soldier4Christ]

Lanita slammed her bedroom door and started getting ready for bed. It had been a terrible day! In the first place, they were out of bread, so Mom had said Lanita should buy her lunch at school. Mom knows I hate to wait in line, so why didn't she buy bread yesterday? Lanita thought. And why couldn't Dad have taken me to school-it's only a few miles out of his way. I hate to ride the bus. Lanita jumped into bed without praying. She didn't feel like talking to God. Why couldn't I stay up another thirty minutes? she thought angrily. I'm not sleepy. I'm old enough to know when to go to bed without being sent here like baby!

Lanita's angry thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock on her door. She sighed heavily. Here comes a scolding! she thought. She knew she deserved it.

Dad opened the door. Handing Lanita her robe, he said, "Put this on, honey. There's something outside I want you to see." Lanita moaned but did as she was told. Out on the deck a few minutes later, Dad pointed to the moon. It was so bright, and it looked so huge! Dad took a dime from his pocket and handed it to Lanita. "Hold this dime out in front of you. Then close one eye and see if you can cover the moon with the dime," he said. Puzzled, Lanita held up the dime. "Can you do it?" Dad asked.

"Sure." Lanita nodded.

"You can completely block out something as big and beautiful and bright as a full moon with one little dime," said Dad. "That's an example of how little things can block out much bigger things."

"Like . . . what?" asked Lanita, still puzzled.

 "Well, when you make a big fuss about little things," said Dad, "you can completely block out a lot of beautiful things in life-like love, friendship, and happiness. Little things can even get between you and God."

Lanita thought about all the things that had been
bothering her. She knew they were really little things, but they had spoiled her
relationship with her family-and with God, too. "I'm sorry for the way I acted,
Dad," she said, giving him a quick hug. "I'll try to remember the dime and the
moon when something bothers me again."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you make a big fuss about little things? Do you know the most common cause of anger? It's selfishness, and it can ruin your day, your week-even your life. Make up your mind right now not to let little things get between you and others or between you and God. Search your heart for things that spoil fellowship with Him. Confess them and ask Him to remove them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you. Ephesians 4:31

[Soldier4Christ]

Andy looked up with a grin as Dad read a bedtime story to Andy's little sisters. The story was about an iguana-a kind of lizard-who was not happy with how she looked. She wanted to look like everyone else she met. Whatever anyone else had, Iguana wanted, too. To be like a horse, she managed to glue a hairy mane on her neck. She used a garden hose to make herself a trunk like an elephant's. She painted on stripes like a zebra's. And she fastened ostrich feathers to her back.

Andy chuckled as he glanced over at the book Dad was reading from. "The iguana in that picture looks absolutely crazy," said Andy.

"You know, Andy, you're right," agreed Dad. "Now tell me something . . . you kids don't act like that, do you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Andy.

"Well, a lot of people don't want to be themselves. They're always trying to be like everybody else," explained Dad. "They want to have the latest styles and fads in clothing, use the current expressions when they talk, have the latest toys, and so on. And then, like Iguana, they often end up looking quite ridiculous."

"Let's finish the story, Daddy!" said one of the little girls eagerly.

"Okay," agreed Dad. "Let's see what Iguana learns." He
read on. "Iguana's friends had a costume party, and to her surprise all of them
came dressed up to look like an iguana! So Iguana, who always wanted to be like
everyone else, rushed to her room, intending to copy them . . . but to do that,
she had to get rid of all the fake things she had thought she wanted. She was
delighted when she won the 'Best Iguana' prize by just being herself. To her
surprise, her friends said that was the way they liked her the best, anyhow. And
so Iguana learned something we should all learn-she learned to be herself and to
not try to be like the rest of the world." Dad closed the book. "That's a good
lesson for Christians," he added. "We should not try to talk or look like the
world. Jesus is the example we should copy."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to be like Jesus rather than like the world? Is pleasing Him more important to you than always being up-to-date in such things as clothes, language, and popular activities? Allowing those things to take over your life-being constantly guided by them-is not good. Be your own person. Better yet, be God's person. Dress, talk, and act the way you believe Jesus would if He lived on earth today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. 1 John 2:15

[Soldier4Christ]

David turned off his alarm clock and stretched. He thought again of Pastor Bell's sermon the past Sunday. It had been about the need to trust Jesus as Savior. David had almost decided to talk to Pastor Bell or his dad about it. Maybe I should have, but . . . oh, well-I'm almost sure I'm saved anyway. I can't worry about it now! he told himself. David shook the thoughts from his mind as he got out of bed. Right now he had other things to think about-baseball, for instance. Today was the day his ball team would be playing the Bears-a really good team from the other side of town-for the city-wide championship. David was shortstop for the Lions, and he was eager to play.

As the game progressed, it became obvious that the teams were well matched. First the Lions were ahead, and then the Bears, and then the Lions went ahead again. Unhappily for David and his teammates, the Bears scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and won the championship.

"That was really a great game!" Dad said as they drove home. "Both teams played very well."

"A great game?" David shook his head. "We lost!"

"You ended up as the second place team in the whole city. You should feel good about that," said Mom encouragingly.

"Yeah, David," his sister agreed. "Second place is good, too. Your team almost won!"

"Well, almost isn't enough!" mumbled David. He seemed determined to be discouraged.

Dad gave him a thoughtful look. "You almost persuade me to become a Christian," he murmured.

"What?" asked David, startled. "What are you talking about?"

"I was thinking of King Agrippa's answer to the Apostle Paul," said Dad. "And you're right, David. Almost isn't enough-not in winning baseball games, nor in getting to heaven."

David was startled. He was almost sure he was saved-but
what if he wasn't? He had been almost ready to make sure about it the past
Sunday. Now, he knew he shouldn't put it off any longer. He needed to make sure
he understood what it was all about. Being almost sure he was a Christian was
not enough.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you almost sure you're a Christian? Perhaps you hear your parents, your pastor, and your Sunday school teacher talk about Christ, and you're almost ready to admit you are a sinner and to trust Jesus to save you. Don't wait! The only way to have your sins forgiven is to fully trust in Jesus. Don't hesitate any longer. Receive Him as Savior today.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." Acts 26:28

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's okay for the bubbles to break," Deborah told her little sister. "I'll blow more for you. Here, Jill! Watch!" Deborah dipped the red plastic tube into the soap solution, then blew on it gently.

Little Jill clapped her hands and giggled when the colorful bubbles appeared. "I want," she said, reaching for a big one. As she touched it, it burst and she began fussing again.

"Like I told you before, bubbles are pretty, honey, but they never last," Deborah said. She turned as their mother came out on the porch. "Jill cries because the bubbles break, Mom," complained Deborah. "She thinks you can play with them just like you play with a beach ball!"

Mom gave Jill a hug. "Bubbles aren't meant to last, honey. If it bothers you to see them break, we probably shouldn't make any more," she said gently. Mom looked at Deborah thoughtfully. "You know, some of the things we treasure most on earth are like bubbles," added Mom. "In God's sight, they're just as worthless and as easily replaced, but we care about them so much! I remember how bad I felt when I broke that antique bowl last week." She frowned. "Do you think God gets tired of hearing us complaining and crying when our earthly treasures are gone?"

"Like . . . like I did the time I got bubblegum in my long hair and you couldn't get it out?" asked Deborah. "I cried and cried when it had to be cut. That was silly, wasn't it? It grew back, and it's nearly as long now as it was before." She grinned. "And the crazy part is that now I'm thinking of cutting it again because I kinda liked it short."

Mom nodded. "I did, too," she said. "Then there was the
time Dad and I were upset when we loaned our new car to Aunt Dori, and she got a
scratch on it." Mom shook her head. "We're as silly as Jill, crying over
bubbles. We so easily forget it's only the loving deeds we do for Christ that
will be of any value in eternity. We should think of that more
often."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you value most in life? Your bicycle? Some jewelry? Your clothes? A favorite toy? Can you recognize it as a "bubble"? God has given you many things to use and enjoy, but don't become too attached to them. It's okay to feel bad if they're destroyed or damaged-but don't get all upset about it and dwell on it. Remember that they'd last only a short time anyway. Spend your time and energy loving God and people-serving God and doing things that count for eternity.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:7

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sometimes the Bible uses such funny language," Evan told his mother as he worked on his Sunday school lesson one evening.

"Funny language?" repeated Mom. "In what way?"

"Well, our lessons have been about the Bible, and this week we had to read some verses from Jeremiah," explained Evan. "There's a verse that talks about 'eating' God's Word."

Mom chuckled. "When you were a baby, you literally tried to eat the Bible one time," she said. "I wasn't paying any attention to you as you sat on my lap in church. When I looked down, there you were-chewing on my Bible!"

They laughed together. "Well, I know I'm not supposed to really eat my Bible," said Evan, "so what does it mean when it says that?"

Mom thought for a minute, then smiled. "Can you remember when you were smaller and you were so taken up with baseball?" she asked. "You watched baseball on TV, and you always wanted me to buy the cereals with pictures of baseball players on the boxes. You collected all the baseball cards you could afford. Grandma used to say, 'That boy lives, eats, and sleeps baseball twenty-four hours a day!'"

"Oh, I think I get it," said Evan. "So to 'eat' the Bible means to get very involved in reading it and thinking about it, right?"

"That's right," agreed Mom, "and especially in living the way it tells us to live." She smiled. "It's far more important than food or baseball."

Just then Evan's older sister walked into the room. She had her nose buried in a book, and didn't look up. "Ellen, I've just made oatmeal cookies. Do you want one?" Mom asked. But Ellen was so interested in her book that she didn't even hear.

"I'll take hers," offered Evan. "Let's not disturb her.
She's 'eating' her book right now."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is the Bible important to you? Do you ever "eat" it-that is, become thoroughly engrossed in it? Make time in your schedule to read the Bible. Find a quiet place, and shut other things out of your mind. Ask God to help you understand what you read. Ask Him to help you live according to what it says. Doing this every day will help you develop more love for God's Word and give you a greater desire to please Him in all you do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97

[Soldier4Christ]

"Shoulder to shoulder, then fold it over," Jordan recited as he laid one final T-shirt in the laundry basket. Sunshine streamed through the kitchen window and landed on his face. He glanced up as his father entered and set several grocery bags on the counter. "Hi, Dad!" Jordan greeted him with a smile. "Mom's not back from her Bible study yet, but I had a snack, and I've already done my chores." He patted the clothes he had folded.

"Good," Dad said cheerfully. "How was school?"

"Okay," replied Jordan. "I don't have homework, so can I go play at Andrew's?"

Eyeing the laundry Jordan had folded, Dad lifted a T-shirt and examined it. "Where did you get this laundry basket?" he asked.

"In the laundry room, of course," answered Jordan.

Dad frowned and shook his head. "The basket with clean clothes is in the hallway," he said. "You got socks out of it this morning, remember?"

"Oh no!" Jordan exclaimed. "You mean I wasted time folding dirty clothes?"

"I'm afraid so," replied Dad.

Jordan looked at the basket. "Those things don't look dirty, do they?" he asked. "Just this once, could we put them away and not tell Mom?"

Dad chuckled. "You really don't think she'd notice?" he asked. "Jordan, we only deceive ourselves when we try to deceive others."

"Deceive," echoed Jordan. "That means getting someone to believe something that's not really true-right? We talked about that in Bible club last night. We had to memorize First John 1:8."

Dad nodded. "As that verse says, we sometimes deceive ourselves," he replied. "We do something wrong and then convince ourselves it's not so bad-that it's not really sin. We try to ignore it and pretend no one will know, but it doesn't fool God at all. He knows all about it."

Jordan looked at a stain in one of the shirts in the laundry basket. "If I put this stuff away it wouldn't fool Mom for very long, either, would it?" He sighed. "It won't even fool me-I'll feel guilty about it. I guess I better put these back in the laundry room and fold the clothes in the other basket. Want to help me?"

"Sure," agreed Dad with a grin, "if you'll help me put away the groceries."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try to convince yourself that some wrong thing you've done is okay and you're not sinning? It's easy to see that things like murder, stealing a hundred dollars, or bowing down to idols is sin, right? How about speaking rudely, being jealous of someone who has a toy you want, or pretending to be busy with schoolwork when you should be helping with chores at home? Do you recognize those as sin, too? Examine your life and admit your sin. Confess it and receive forgiveness.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

[Soldier4Christ]

Hannah's screams brought her mother running. As she picked up the shaking little girl, Mom looked at her two sons. "What have you done to scare Hannah now, boys?" she demanded.

"Oh, she's such a baby," Josh said scornfully. "She's scared of a little old worm."

The sound of a car in the driveway drew everyone's attention. "It's Dad," yelled Jeremy, "with our new computer!" The boys raced for the garage.

Dad brought the computer into the house, and together he and the boys unpacked it and set it up. Then Dad plugged it in and turned it on. While he continued to read the instructions, the boys pushed several keys, intending to play a game. "Dad, this doesn't work like Uncle Dan's," complained Josh after a moment. He pushed more keys. "It won't do anything."

Dad looked up. "Sure, it will," he said. He slipped a little plastic disk into the computer and pushed a key. There was a whir and a click, and a game appeared on the screen. "A computer can do only what it's programmed to do," said Dad. "The program is on the disk."

"Look at the monster, Hannah. It's going to get you!" Jeremy teased, pointing at the screen.

"Turn that off right now!" ordered Mom. The boys howled in protest, but she insisted. "Before you play a game, listen to me. You've been scaring Hannah, and it has to stop," she said firmly.

Dad nodded. "When we're born, our minds are a little bit like this computer, boys," he said. "Of course, unlike a computer, we do have the power of choice. But in a way, some things seem to 'program' our minds. That's why we have family devotions and provide good, wholesome reading materials and tapes. That's why we've chosen to not have a television. That's why we talk about good things. But you, Jeremy and Josh, are 'programming' fear into Hannah." Dad frowned. "Either you stop, or I'm going to put some fear in you!" he added.

The boys knew what he meant! "We're sorry," they both said.

"If you're truly sorry, you'll do what you can to

[Soldier4Christ]

"I feel terrible," Tim complained. "I can hardly breathe and my throat is so scratchy and sore."

"I know," sympathized Mom. "There are a lot of colds going around, but you'll feel better in a few days. Here's some juice for you. Just stay on the couch and rest while I go and make some beds."   

Before long, Tim called his mother back to the room. "I still feel terrible," he said in a whining voice. "My head is hot!"

Mom brought a wet cloth for Tim's forehead, fluffed his pillow, and tucked his fleece blanket around him. "Try to sleep a little," she said.

But Tim didn't feel like resting. He kept on moaning, sighing, and whining until finally Mom said, "Tim, I know it's not fun to be sick, but we've gotten medicine for you, and I've done all I can to make you comfortable. Now you need to do your part. The Bible tells us . . ."

"The Bible?" interrupted Tim. "I didn't know the Bible said anything about how to act when I have a cold!"

"It says to be patient in tribulation," replied Mom.

"What's tribulation?" asked Tim.

"It's when you're having a hard time," said Mom. "It could be when you're not feeling well, or it could be other things that aren't enjoyable. For you right now, your tribulation is your cold."

"But how can I be patient about that?" argued Tim. "I hate being sick."

"I know, but complaining won't help you or anyone else, either. In fact, it will make both you and those around you feel worse," replied Mom. "How about following Jesus' example-He didn't complain when He suffered." She patted Tim's shoulder. "By being cheerful and uncomplaining even when you're not feeling well, you can bring glory to God," added Mom.

"Well . . . okay-from now on I'll try to be more patient," agreed Tim, "but it's going to be hard."

"Yes," said Mom, "but trust Jesus to help you. That will
make it easier."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you're sick, do you try to not complain about your aches and pains? It's necessary to let your parents know if you're not feeling well, but once you're getting treatment, there's no need to keep on complaining. Instead of dwelling on how bad you feel, think about happy things. Thank God for all the blessings you have, and spend time praying for others, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Romans 12:12

[Soldier4Christ]

Mom brought Tim some hot broth for lunch. "This should feel good on your throat," she said as she sat beside him.

"Jesus understands," read Tim as he looked at a little card Mom had placed on his tray. "Mom, do you think Jesus was ever sick when He lived on earth?"

Mom smiled. "Well, He experienced a lot of the same things we do," she said. Picking up the Bible, she opened it to the book of Matthew. "Here, in chapter four, it says Jesus was hungry. That's something we experience often."

"I'm sure not hungry today," said Tim with a wry smile.

"Not today, maybe," said Mom, "but you will be when you're better. Do you think Jesus ever got thirsty?"

"I guess He did," replied Tim. "He asked a Samaritan woman to let Him have water once, didn't He? And on the cross, He said He was thirsty."

"Right," agreed Mom. "How about tired? Did He get tired, too?"

"Well, one time He fell asleep in a boat during a big storm," remembered Tim. "He must have been really tired! It would be hard to sleep while the boat was bouncing around on big waves."

"Good thinking." Mom nodded. "Now . . . do you think He was ever sad?"

"Yeah, I think so," said Tim. "He was sad when Lazarus died. The Bible says, 'Jesus wept.' My teacher said that's the shortest verse in the Bible."

"Right again," said Mom. "So we know there were times when Jesus was hungry, thirsty, tired, and sad. I don't know of any place where the Bible says Jesus also experienced sickness, but it does say He was like us. There's one area in which He was not like us, though. Do you know what area that is?"

"Ah-h-h-h. I give up. What was it?" Tim asked.

"Jesus never sinned," replied Mom. "He was tempted to sin, like we are, but He never gave in to temptation. Because He never sinned, He can be our Savior."

Tim nodded thoughtfully. "So . . . He was a lot like me
when He was growing up, and He probably did get sick sometimes." Tim gave his
mother a little smile. "I'm glad He can understand how I
feel."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever wonder if Jesus really understands you and your problems? Think about Him as a young boy. Jesus was God, but when He came to earth, He was also human. He looked and acted like all babies do. While He was a boy, He did many of the same things you do-and yes, He does understand you.  He always knows what you're going through, and He cares.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
In all things He (Jesus) had to be made like His brethren. Hebrews 2:17

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Grandma." Esther kissed her great-grandmother's cheek. "Hello, Mrs. Olga," Esther added, smiling at Grandma's roommate.

Mrs. Olga didn't smile back. "I don't like those shorts you're wearing," she said abruptly. Esther looked down at her favorite summer shorts. "Too short," Mrs. Olga added. Then she left the room.

"What's wrong with my shorts?" Esther asked her grandma, pulling up a chair beside her bed.

"I think they're lovely," Grandma said. "Mrs. Olga is a little bit more old-fashioned than I am."

"Oh, well," Esther said, "as long as you don't mind them."

"You'll wear them here again?" Grandma asked, looking surprised.

"Sure," said Esther. "You like them, and I don't see anything wrong with them. I have to do what I think is right, don't I? That's the important thing."

Grandma frowned. "Says who?" she asked.

"Well . . . everybody," said Esther uncertainly. "Doesn't the Bible say that, too?"

Grandma chuckled and shook her head. "That, my dear, is one of society's greatest hoaxes. To make something sound good, people decide that God must surely approve."

"But . . . are you saying I have to obey anyone who tells me to do-or not do-something?" asked Esther.

"What I'm saying," replied Grandma, "is that God wants us to be sensitive to others-trying not to hurt or offend them. It's not about obedience; it's about respect." Grandma picked up the television guide and showed it to Esther. "See how I've crossed out some of the shows?" asked Grandma. Esther nodded. "Mrs. Olga knows those are shows I don't want to watch, so she doesn't watch them while I'm in the room. I do the same for her. That's what the Bible really tells us to do-to not purposely offend others, and to do our best to get along with each other."

Esther thought about that. "Do you think Mrs. Olga would like my new capri outfit?" she asked after a moment.

Grandma smiled. "Mrs. Olga would love it," she
said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever made other Christians uncomfortable-by your clothes, words, music, or something else? Even Christians disagree about what is right or wrong. It's not always possible to please everyone, but God wants us to try to get along, and sometimes that means swallowing our own desires so we don't make others uncomfortable.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18

[Soldier4Christ]

"Special bulletin!" the radio blared. "There will be no classes at Brookside Middle School today. The building was vandalized last night. Windows were broken, desks smashed, and rooms sprayed with paint. Damage is estimated to be . . ."

"Vandalized!" Lorna exclaimed. "Our school was vandalized? Who would do that? Why would anyone want to destroy our new school?"

"It is pretty dumb, but I bet someone who hates school did it," guessed Eric.

Lorna sighed. "We were going to have a surprise birthday party for our teacher today," she said, "and now we can't."

"That's too bad," said Mom, "but I'm sure you kids will arrange to have it a different day."

"It's sad when someone has no respect for the property or rights of others," observed Dad as he left for work.

Several days later, the person who had committed the vandalism was arrested. He was a fourteen-year-old boy named Keith, and Lorna and Eric had often seen him at school. "Keith's been arrested more than once before," Eric reported. "The kids say a judge warned him that if he didn't stay out of trouble, he'd get himself sent to reform school."

Lorna nodded. "I guess he deserves it," she said, "but it must be awful to go to a place like that. Some of the kids don't think the judge should send him there."

"Well, like the judge said, in a way Keith will have sent himself there," Mom reminded her. "He knew the rules, and he chose to disobey. Now he has to face the consequences of his actions and his disrespect of the law."

"That's right," agreed Dad. "It reminds me of people who
say, 'How could a loving God send anyone to hell?' They forget that God is not
only loving-He is holy, too, and no sin can enter heaven. There's always a
penalty for doing wrong. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, but it's our choice
to accept or reject what He did for us. God doesn't force His will on us, so if
a person goes to hell, it's because he or she chose not to accept
Jesus."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What choice have you made about Jesus? You have sinned, but God doesn't want you to die in your sin. Jesus died so that you can have eternal life. You can go on in your own way, or you can confess your sins, ask forgiveness, and trust Christ as your Savior. Have you done that? It's your choice.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. Joshua 24:15

[Soldier4Christ]

Fourteen-year-old Colton ran into the water. The rolling waves cooled his warm body and relaxed his troubled mind. Because it felt so good and soothing to him, he swam out to deeper water. "I wish I could stay here forever," he murmured to himself, "and not think about anything."

But Colton had a lot to think about. He had a tumor on his left leg, and in a few more days he would be admitted to a hospital where a specialist would perform surgery. It wasn't known yet whether the tumor could simply be removed or if Colton's leg would have to be taken off. His mind was filled with questions. How will the operation go? What if I lose my leg? Will I ever be able to play ball and run on the track team again?

The sound of little Erica's shrieks interrupted Colton's thoughts. "Daddy, I can't go swimming here!" she squealed. "The waves are too big! I don't like this ocean. It's scary!"

"Look, honey," said Dad, "the waves aren't too rough for me-see, they're not moving me at all. Here! Take my hand, and we'll swim together. You'll be safe with me."   

Erica was hesitant. She loved the water, but the waves were so big today! Then she looked at her dad. He was strong! He would protect her! Erica put her little hand into her daddy's big hand. Soon she was enjoying the water as it splashed about her.

"See me, Colton?" shouted Erica as her brother swam toward them. "I'm not afraid now. Daddy's holding my hand. He won't let me go."

Colton smiled at Erica-and at himself. Little Erica had
just taught him a lesson. If she can trust Dad in these big waves, I can trust
God-He's my heavenly Father, he thought. I know there will be rough days ahead,
but God will help me through them. He said He would allow only what's good for
me, and I believe Him. That was all Colton needed to know to give him
peace.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you facing big waves-a difficult time in your life? Instead of thinking about all the things that can go wrong, think about Jesus and how much He loves you. Tell Him about your struggles. Ask Him for wisdom, and strength, and courage. Trust Him to hold you safely through it all and give you peace.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3