Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Nick!" called Mom out from the kitchen window, "have you finished your Bible club lesson? If I remember correctly, you were assigned several chapters  to read this week."

"I haven't had time to read them, yet," said Nick as he shot baskets in the driveway. That had been his answer each time Mom had reminded him of the lesson. He was a little surprised that she didn't insist he stop playing and go do it right away, but she didn't say any more about it.

Several times that evening, Nick noticed Mom writing on some kind of chart. "What is that, Mom?" he asked.

"Oh, it's a little project I decided to do," she said. "I'll show it to you sometime, but not right now."

On Thursday noon, Mom again asked Nick about his lesson. "I started it, but it's so long," he complained as he picked up a sports magazine. "I finished only one of the chapters we're supposed to read, but I don't have time to read the rest. Mr. Powell will just have to understand how busy I am."

Mom pulled out the chart he'd seen her writing on. "I've noticed how busy you are, Nick," she said. "In fact, I've been keeping track. This chart shows how many hours you've spent on various activities this week-watching TV, listening to tapes or the radio, reading books and magazines, shooting baskets and playing other sports, and just lounging around saying, 'I don't have anything to do.' Here . . . look." With a smile, she handed him the chart. Nick blushed as he looked at what Mom had written. "I usually insist that you do your lesson," added Mom, "and I will again if necessary. But wouldn't you rather work out the time to do it yourself?" She looked at her watch. "There are still a few hours before you go to Bible club. Do you think you can find time to finish your lesson now?"

Nick nodded and put his magazine down.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find time on your own to read God's Word every day? Or do you read it only if someone insists on it, otherwise claiming you don't have time for that? If you think about it, you'll realize that you find time to do whatever is really important to you, right? Is the Bible important enough to make you willing to give up some leisure time in order to read it? It should be. Set aside time each day to spend with God and His Word.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:13

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, can I take a few of these to Mrs. Henderson after school tomorrow?" asked Allison as she and her mother finished making cookies.

"That's a good idea," agreed Mom. Their next door neighbor was crippled and didn't get out very often, so Allison would often stop after school to say hello and chat a little while. Sometimes she persuaded her friend Liz to join them, too.

The next afternoon, Allison ran up Mrs. Henderson's front steps and rang the bell. "Mrs. Henderson, I'm here!" she called as she opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Allison," Mrs. Henderson greeted her. She was in her favorite chair with an old quilt wrapped around her. "It's so cool and rainy today, so I'm all bundled up here," she added.

"You look warm and comfortable," said Allison with a smile. "Would you like me to fix you a cup of tea? I have a couple of homemade cookies, too."

Mrs. Henderson smiled. "It sounds to me like we're equipped for a real party," she said.

As she sipped her tea, Mrs. Henderson asked Allison about her friend Liz. "Oh, she has flute lessons today," replied Allison with a sigh. "She's so talented! She can sing and play the piano and the flute-and she draws well, too. I can't do any of that stuff! I'm no good at anything."

"Why, Allison, that's not true!" Mrs. Henderson exclaimed. "You have a special gift-the ability to make others feel good. This was such a dreary day for me until you came. You're like a bit of sunshine!" She gave Allison a smile. "You remind me of Philemon in the Bible," she declared. "The Apostle Paul wrote that Philemon refreshed those who knew him. You do that, too, Allison. You make others happy by your kindness and thoughtfulness. You show God's love in the way you live. That's one of the very best gifts you could possibly have."

Allison gave Mrs. Henderson a hug. "Thanks for telling
me that," said Allison. "I'm glad if I can help make other people happy, but I
would never have thought of that as a special gift from God." She smiled. "Thank
you!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you make others happy? Do you smile at people often? Is it refreshing for them to have you as a friend? Look around you. Find someone you can encourage just by your friendship. Being a friendly, contented person is a good way to share God's love with others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you. Philemon 1:7

[Soldier4Christ]

Julie walked into the kitchen and took a deep breath. "Oh, boy! Homemade bread!" she exclaimed.

Mom looked up from her work. "That's right, honey, but this loaf isn't for us. I'm taking it next door to our new neighbors." She paused briefly. "I saw a girl out in the yard, and she looks like she's just about your age. You should meet her."

Julie shook her head slowly. "I already did," she said. "I told her my name and asked hers, but she doesn't talk or anything."

"Maybe she's just a little shy," suggested Mom. "It takes some people longer to adjust than others."

"No," said Julie. "You don't understand. She doesn't . . . I mean, she can't talk. Her mother came out and told me the girl's name is Isobel, but she can't say anything, and she can't hear, either."

"I see," said Mom thoughtfully. "That's too bad. Maybe you can find some way to be her friend anyway-through making motions or something. What do you think?"

"Her mom told me Isobel knows sign language," said Julie. "Do you think I could learn to speak that way, too, Mom? We learned a few words at school. I know it would be a lot of work, but . . . " Julie paused and grinned at her mother. "I was just thinking of Bob and Kate." Bob was Julie's older brother. "Remember what they had to do when they first went to Bangladesh as a missionaries?"

Mom nodded. "Sure, I do. They had to go to language school," she said with a smile. "Are you thinking our neighbors might be our mission field?"

Julie nodded. "They could be, couldn't they?"

"Yes, they could," agreed Mom, "and if learning sign language will help win them to Jesus, that's what we should do. I'll learn it along with you."

"All right!" exclaimed Julie. "That will make it easier
because we can help each other! Let's start right away!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you willing to go out of your way to win someone to Jesus? Think about the people you know-what needs or interests do they have? Maybe you should become a friend to someone, help a classmate with schoolwork, or do extra chores at home. Maybe you know someone who has a stamp collection or does flower arranging or enjoys some other hobby. Showing interest in the activities of others often opens doors to witness for Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22

[Soldier4Christ]

Noah carefully filled a pitcher with water, took it out to the back yard, and gently watered the tiny black spruce tree. In spite of the special care he'd been giving the little tree, more and more needles were turning brown each day. "It's not going to live, is it, Mom?" he asked.

"I don't know, Noah," Mom answered. "I don't think so."

"But I've been taking such good care of it!" Noah said.

"I know, Son." Mom nodded. "But remember when you asked Grandpa if you could transplant it? He told you he didn't think a black spruce would grow in our yard."

"I don't see why not!" Noah protested. "Other trees do."

"That's true, but Grandpa explained that black spruce trees usually grow where it's extremely damp," said Mom. "I know you've been watering it every day, but since we live in a very dry area, that may not be enough."

 Noah and his mother stood looking at the scraggly tree. "You know Noah, that black spruce seedling reminds me of myself," Mom added.

"Yourself?" asked Noah.

Mom nodded. "Right," she replied. "I used to spend most of my time in the wrong kind of environment-with people who don't love the Lord. I ignored my Bible, seldom went to church to learn more about the Lord, and didn't take time to pray. As a result, I didn't grow spiritually, but for a long time, I didn't even realize it."

"We can't always be with Christians, though, can we?" asked Noah. "I mean, like . . . I have to spend a lot of time at school, and not everybody there is saved. Probably a lot of them aren't."

Mom nodded. "That's true-we all do spend time with
unsaved people," she agreed. "Actually, that's a good thing because we should be
trying to bring them to Jesus. But to grow in the Lord, we have to be influenced
by prayer and God's Word and fellowship with other Christians. It's important to
spend time in the right kind of environment."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
In what kind of environment do you spend most of your free time? Do your close friends love the Lord and live according to what is taught in the Bible? Do they encourage you to get nourishment from God's Word? Make sure you spend time in the right environment-one that will help you grow spiritually.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
(Be) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught. Colossians 2:7

[Soldier4Christ]

All too soon, the band trip was coming to an end, and the students from Grace Christian School were getting ready to head for home. "Performing in the band review was really cool, and I'm so glad we got an 'excellent' rating," said Ellie. "Staying in this motel was great, too! I'll never forget all the fun we had!"

"I'm taking a souvenir home to remind me that I was really here," said Monica as she packed a towel with "Shadybrook Motel" woven into it. "Why don't you take one, too?" she suggested, tossing a towel to Ellie.

Ellie looked doubtful for a moment. Then she shrugged. "Yeah, okay. I'm sure they won't miss one little towel," she decided.

On the trip home, the girls learned that more of the students had taken things. The boys had ended their stay with a pillow fight. It had turned into a "free-for-all," resulting in torn sheets and a broken lamp. "We almost got caught when the chaperones checked on us," said one of the boys.

The following week, Mr. Palmer, the band director, stood before them with a very solemn look on his face. "I got to know Mr. Hill, the manager at our motel," Mr. Palmer said. "I was able to witness to him, and he came to hear us play in the band review. I've been praying for him." Mr. Palmer paused and took an envelope from his pocket. "I want to share a letter I just received from him," he added.

As Mr. Palmer read the letter from the motel manager, it grew very quiet in the band room. The letter told of items missing and of several ruined motel furnishings.

"Mr. Hill has sent a bill for damages," said Mr. Palmer.
"We'll pay that, but we can't pay for the damage done to your name, the school's
name, or the Lord's name." There was a long silence, then Mr. Palmer added,
"Your instruments played beautiful music, but the 'notes' played by some of your
lives were very much 'off-key.' Which notes will Mr. Hill remember? Now . . . I
want those who are guilty, and who are truly sorry and want to make amends, to
remain seated. Those who are innocent may leave." Several of the students
remained with bowed heads while the others filed out.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you act away from home? If you're a Christian, you bear Christ's name. Do your actions honor that name? Are you a testimony for Jesus in the way you talk and behave? You weren't saved through your good works, but now that you are saved, good works should be a part of your daily life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. Titus 3:8

[Soldier4Christ]

One look at Ryan's flushed face told his mother something was wrong. "How was school?" she asked.

"So-so." Ryan drew a deep, ragged breath, then blurted out, "If Brysen doesn't leave me alone on the bus, I'm going to have to fight him!"

"Fight!" exclaimed Mom. She frowned. "If you do, you'd better be prepared to take the consequences."

Ryan looked up. "Will you whip me?"

"No," Mom shook her head, "but Brysen might. There surely must be a better solution than a fight. Does Brysen bother you at school?"

"No. He knows Miss Jenkins won't allow it," Ryan answered, "but it's different on the bus."

"Well, let's pray about it," said Mom. "The Lord will help you find a solution."

The next day Ryan came home from school, grinning from ear to ear. Before his mother could ask what had happened, he told her. "Brysen left me alone today," he said.

"Good!" exclaimed Mom. "What did you do to keep him from bothering you?"

Ryan chuckled. "I sat on the front seat of the bus," he said. "With the driver right there, Brysen didn't dare make trouble." Together Ryan and Mom celebrated with cookies and milk.

Ryan was surprised by what his mom said when she came over and hugged him a little later. "You've taught me a lesson today, Ryan. I've been having a little trouble with my temper lately," she confessed. "I haven't thought about having a fist fight with anybody, but there are a couple of people I've been tempted to 'tell off.' I think the devil has been encouraging me to really give them a piece of my mind, but you've given me the perfect solution. To keep Satan from bothering me, I need to live as close to Jesus as I can. I've been sitting in the 'back of the bus.' I need to move up."

"How?" wondered Ryan. "I mean . . . we're not talking about a real bus."

Mom smiled. "No, but when I'm tempted, I need to
remember that Jesus is with me and look to Him for help. I need to think about
what He'd want me to do-and I need to be willing to do it and not try to beat
Satan on my own."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is Satan giving you problems-trying to get you to do something wrong? Is he encouraging you to fight? To cheat? To neglect your chores? Get close to Jesus by reading His Word and thinking about what it means. Pray and consider what Jesus would do in your situation. He can give you the perfect solution for solving your problems and resisting temptation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

[Soldier4Christ]

"Okee-dokee-doke," said Mom as she shut the oven door. "This key lime pie will be done in time for supper."

"I love key lime pie," said Heather, doodling in some flour on the table.

"So does your dad," said Mom. "Almost as much as cheesecake."

Heather nodded, still looking at the table. "Mom, how come Jesus talked in parables so often?" she asked. "Why didn't He just say what they meant?"

"That's a good question," replied Mom. "Do you have any idea why?"

"Well . . . maybe He was making it more interesting so people would listen better," suggested Heather. "I read some parables in Luke 15 this morning, and I found them interesting. I like stories, and they illustrate what Jesus was teaching, don't they?"

Mom nodded. "Right," she agreed. "I think Jesus used stories to make Bible truths easier for us to understand. Another reason might be . . . well . . ." Mom opened the refrigerator. "Here," she said, "taking out a huge lime. "How about eating this, Heather?"

"That lime?" asked Heather in surprise. "I can't eat a whole lime. They're sour!"

Mom scooped up a key lime from the table. It was tiny and round, about the size of a marble. "How about this? Could you eat it?" she asked.

Heather eyed it cautiously. "I think so. It's smaller than a regular lime, and a little sweeter, too, isn't it?"

Mom nodded and took a tiny bite. "Yes, and I think that's kind of what a parable is like."

"So . . . it's a little story people can handle?" asked Heather.

"Exactly," agreed Mom, "but it contains a big truth.
Jesus could have told the people a lot of harsh truths in no uncertain terms-and
sometimes He did. But often they listened and learned from the parables-the
little stories-He told." Mom paused, then added, "Jesus sometimes used parables
to give a special message to his disciples, too. He didn't always intend for
those who weren't His followers to understand. In fact, God still has messages
especially for His own children, and the Holy Spirit helps us understand them."
She smiled as she added, "And then they're something special, like the key lime
pie."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you enjoy stories and learn from them? The stories Jesus told illustrate truths people need to know-not only at the time He lived, but today as well. Did you enjoy the stories He told in today's Scripture reading? Did you think about what they teach? Why not go back to Luke 15 and read the rest of the chapter? It contains a longer, interesting story. Read it, enjoy it, but most of all, ask God to teach you a lesson from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
With many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. Mark 4:33

[Soldier4Christ]

Rachel was worried. It was her mother's birthday, and she was sure everybody else's gift for Mom was nicer than hers. Dad had bought her a new dress; Doug had gotten a CD; Natalie had bought Mom a bottle of her favorite perfume. But I don't have anything . . . well, hardly anything, thought Rachel. Just the recipe book I made in my class at school last year and the flowers I picked in that empty lot.

Mom exclaimed happily over each gift, including Rachel's. But Doug looked at the flowers and snorted. "Those are weeds," he said.

Natalie looked at the recipe book and pointed out that the front cover looked pretty messy. "Can't you color any better than that?" she asked.

Ignoring her mother's protests, Rachel ran from the room, crying.

Soon Mom came to Rachel's room, looking pretty in her new dress and smelling like her new perfume. Rachel cried harder as her mother gathered her into her arms. "My gift wasn't nearly as nice as the others," sobbed Rachel.

Mom kissed Rachel's forehead. "To me it was, and I love it," said Mom. "I can see you spent a lot of time coloring the recipe book-I already saw a recipe I want to try tomorrow. And picking flowers for me was a sweet idea."

Rachel sniffed. "I know how much you like flowers," she said, "but I didn't have money to buy any. I found those in the empty lot next door to Grandma's house, and I thought they were pretty."

"They are pretty," Mom answered, "and it was thoughtful of you to find them for me." She hugged Rachel close. "Your gift came from your heart, and a gift from the heart is the nicest kind of all. It's like you're giving yourself, and it's a wonderful example of the kind of gift we should give to God."

"Really?" asked Rachel.

"Really," said Mom. "He gave the greatest gift of all
when He gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. In return, we should give
Him ourselves in both love and service. That's the best gift we can
give."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted the gift God offers you-eternal life through Jesus? (See the ABCs at the end of this book.) In return for His wonderful gift to you, have you given yourself to Him? That's what He wants of you. Don't just give Him whatever little leftover time or offerings you may have. Live to serve Him whenever and wherever He wants to use you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
They first gave themselves to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 8:5

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm glad Mr. Sanders taught that lesson about the sin of judging others," Ethan said as he and his friend Tyler left their Sunday school classroom. "I hope Terri Robins was listening. She's just a big 'know-it-all,' always raising her hand to answer questions."

"Yeah," agreed Tyler. "She probably thinks she's a better Christian than anybody else. And what about Shelley? Did you hear her bragging about their new car? Maybe Mr. Sanders was thinking of her. I bet she thinks the rest of us are country hicks because we don't have as much stuff as she does."

"Or how about Scott?" asked Ethan. "He never listens in class or brings a Bible. He probably doesn't even own one, or if he does, he probably doesn't read it. But his dad's the chief-of-police, and Scott acts like he thinks the other kids are just not quite as good as he is."

Tyler nodded. "Well some of the kids really aren't very good," he said. "Like Lisa. She's always giggling in class."

"Yeah," agreed Ethan, "and Ben isn't exactly a saint, either. I mean . . . we're good friends, but he would whisper all through Sunday school if anyone would listen to him." As Ethan spoke, they reached the church auditorium. "Mom and Dad are already sitting down," he said. "I gotta go. See you later, Tyler." He went to sit with his parents.

Wow! That Sunday school lesson is good for almost everyone in my class, Ethan thought as he settled into his seat in church. He took a picture of the class from his Bible. Let's see . . . It would even be good for Tyler and for . . . Ethan stopped short as he suddenly noticed his own face smiling back at him from the picture. . . . for me?

Ethan realized that ever since leaving the classroom, he
and Tyler had been judging their classmates, forgetting they had plenty of
faults of their own. He knew he'd better get his own problem-a critical
attitude-under control instead of grumbling about the faults of anybody else! He
needed to apply that lesson to himself!




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you look for your own faults instead of judging others? Don't point out that your sister failed to empty a wastebasket when you forgot to mow the lawn. Don't complain about your brother being slow to obey when you're just as bad yourself. Don't grumble about the toys the baby left out when you left your bike out. As long as you have faults, don't be critical of others. First take care of the sins in your own life. You may find there's no time left to judge anyone else.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
With what judgment you judge, you will be judged. Matthew 7:2

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, my science teacher said the world made itself after some big explosion-called the big bang," said Zach as he watched his little brother take crayons and paper from the drawer. "I thought God made the world."

"Yes, Zach, God did create the world," said Mom, as she also reached for a piece of paper and crayons. She placed them on the table.

"How do we know for sure it didn't happen like the scientists say?" asked Zach.

Mom frowned as she sat back and looked at the paper and crayons. "Aren't you going to draw a picture?" asked little Caleb. "Draw a horse for me, okay, Mommy? Please?"

"Don't be so impatient," said Mom. "Why don't we watch these crayons a little while? If we wait long enough, maybe they'll just happen to make a sky and grass and trees and horses-and even people-all by themselves."

"No they won't!" protested Caleb. "A picture can't just draw itself."

"Don't you think so?" asked Mom. "How about you, Zach? Do you agree with your brother?"

"Of course I do! A picture won't just happen!" replied Zach. "Someone has to draw it."

Mom smiled. "You're absolutely right," she said. "A picture can't make itself, and the world couldn't make itself, either. It didn't just happen. Tell me . . . when you want to make a picture, how do you go about it? What do you do first?"

"I . . . ah, I decide what picture I want to make," said Zach. "I plan how to do it-what to put where."

Mom nodded. "Well, God had a plan, too. He knew every little detail of what He wanted His world to be like, from the tiniest flower to the largest dinosaur. What's the next thing you do?"

"I . . . well, I pick up my pencils or crayons or whatever I've decided to use and start drawing," said Zach.

"You put your plan into action. That's what God did-He spoke, and it was done. By His word, God's special plan-the world-was brought into existence."

Zach grinned as Caleb picked up a crayon and held it out to Mom. "Will you draw my horse now?" pleaded Caleb.

Mom took the crayon. "Yes, I will," she agreed. "One
black horse coming up."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been told the world "just happened" to come into being? Don't believe it! God planned just exactly how everything-including you-should look. He spoke, and the world was created. Only God could do that! Aren't you glad you have such a great and wonderful God?


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

[Soldier4Christ]

The darkness of Mike's bedroom was broken by flashes of brilliant lightening, accompanied by loud crashes of thunder. He was trying to sleep, but the storm would not let him. At first he covered his ears with his hands and squeezed his eyes shut. Then he buried his head under his pillow and scrunched way down under his blankets, but the noise of the storm crept in around his huddled form. Finally he could take it no longer. "Mom!" he called. "Mom! Mother-r-r-r!"

Soft footsteps hurried down the hall. Mom came into the room and gently pulled back the covers. "Come on out, honey. It's okay-I'm here," she said.

Mike huddled next to her. "I'm scared!" he said, hiding his face as a flash of lightning lit up the room. "The storm is so l-loud." Mike's voice quivered.

"Yes it is," agreed Mom. "I couldn't sleep, either."

"You mean you were afraid like I was?" Mike asked in surprise.   

Mom smiled. "Not quite, but the thunder woke me up," she said. "I must admit I really don't care for all the noise and the flashing light, but remembering that God knows all about the storm-and even controls it-helps me."

"I suppose so," said Mike, "but I wish He'd tell it to stop!" He jumped as the thunder roared again.

"Well, we really need rain so our garden and the farmers' crops will grow," replied Mom. "When a storm comes up, I pray and thank Jesus for the rain-and for the lightning."

"The lightning!" exclaimed Mike. "Why for the lightning? Why not just for the rain?"

"Lightning helps the plants grow, too," said Mom. "It provides nitrogen for them. As I pray and remember how Jesus loves and cares for me, a lot of my fear goes away."

"I think the storm is going away, too," observed Mike. The thunder was no longer so loud, nor the lightning so bright.

"I think so," said Mom. "Before we go back to sleep,
let's thank Jesus for taking care of us and ask Him to help us always trust Him
and not be afraid."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you afraid when you're awakened at night by a thunderstorm? Storms can sound scary, but they bring rain and needed nutrients for the ground. Remember that Jesus is in control of storms today, just as He was when His disciples were with Him in a boat. Ask Him to help you not to be afraid, and then trust Him to do it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Psalm 107:29

[Soldier4Christ]

Tad's mother gave him a big smile as she hung up the telephone. "That was Mrs. Martin," she told him. "She just told me she's applying to become a United States citizen." Tad's family and the Martin family were good friends.

"Isn't Mrs. Martin already an American citizen?" asked Tad. "She's lived here a long time, hasn't she?"

"Yes, but living in America doesn't automatically make anyone a citizen here," replied Mom. "Mrs. Martin was born in Austria and came here when she married, but she never applied for citizenship until now."

When the big day arrived for Mrs. Martin to be sworn in as a United States citizen, the two families celebrated by going out for ice cream afterwards. "Are you still a citizen of Austria, too?" Tad asked her.

"No, I had to give that up to become a citizen of this country," replied Mrs. Martin, "but that's okay. I'm glad to give up my former citizenship so that I can enjoy all the privileges of being a United States citizen. Until I did, I couldn't vote here, hold a public office, or do certain jobs. "

"That's a good example of what happens when a person becomes a Christian-a citizen of heaven," said Dad. "In a sense, we're all born in a 'foreign country.' We're born into this old world, and no one becomes a Christian automatically. The only way is to accept Jesus as Savior. When we do that, we renounce our allegiance to Satan and pledge our loyalty to Christ."

Mom nodded. "And being citizens of heaven, gives us privileges we didn't have under Satan's rule," she said. "We receive forgiveness from sin and a home in heaven. God cares for our needs, Jesus prays for us, and the Holy Spirit guides us."

"What could be better than that? I'm very glad to be a
citizen of the United States now," Mrs. Martin said proudly, "but I'm even
happier to know I'm a citizen of heaven!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Where is your citizenship? Have you personally asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? Becoming a citizen of heaven doesn't happen because you live in a Christian home or because your parents are Christians. It doesn't happen because you go to church or because you do more good things than bad ones. It happens only by trusting in Jesus.


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]

"Grandma said she had a bumper crop this year," said Susan as she helped pick apples at Grandma Bergen's house. "What does that mean?"

"It means the trees have lots and lots of apples," said Dad.

"Why were there so many apples this year?" asked Kurt. "There weren't nearly this many last year, and a lot of them were wormy, too."

"Grandma said she didn't have them sprayed last year," said Mom. "This year she did, and she put in a new system to water the trees. I think that's why the apples are bigger and better than ever."

"Picking all this fruit reminds me of some Bible verses about the fruit of the Spirit," said Dad. "Didn't you kids learn them for your Bible club?"

Susan nodded. "Yep. They're found in Galatians 5:22 and 23," she said, "and I still know them. Want to hear them?" She quoted the verses.

"Good," approved Dad. "It should be natural for a Christian's life to have the fruit of the Spirit, just like it's natural for apple trees to have apples."

   "I don't think it's all that easy to have the fruit of the Spirit," said Kurt. "I think it's hard!"

"Well, Grandma knew something was wrong when her trees didn't produce many apples," said Dad. "What do you think might be wrong when our lives don't show the fruit of the Spirit?"

"I think . . . well, there were worms in some of Grandma's apples, and I guess maybe there's sin in our lives when we don't show fruit like we should," suggested Susan.

Kurt spoke up, too. "Or like the apple trees needed to be sprayed more and have water, we might need more Bible teaching and . . . ah . . . Christian friends."

Dad smiled. "Good thinking," he said. "When God says He wants His children to live fruitful lives for Him, that's not just for adults. It's for kids, too. So think about it. Remember, it's not our fruit-it's the fruit of the Spirit. We need to yield to God and His will. Let's be faithful in doing that so our lives show the fruit of the Spirit every day."

"Yeah." Kurt grinned. "Then maybe we can have a bumper
crop, too," he said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does your life show the "fruit of the Spirit" ? Think about the things listed in the key verse, and think about your own life-the things you do each day, the way you behave, the attitudes you display. Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life? It should be if you know Jesus as your Savior. Read your Bible daily and apply it to your life, confess to God any sin you're aware of, and yield yourself to Him. Let His fruit be seen in you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 5:22-23)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

[Soldier4Christ]

Luke sniffed. "It was just a little fib," he told his dog, Buffy, who sat whining at his feet. "Sure wasn't bad enough for a spanking." He rubbed his sleeve across his cheek, then mimicking his mother's voice, he added. "'I'm doing this because I love you.' Funny kind of love that is!"

Buffy licked his master's hand in sympathy. Then he jumped up and ran to the gate as Luke's friend Randy and his dog, Marcus, came into the yard. "What's the matter with you?" Randy asked as he plopped down beside Luke.

"Nothin'," Luke answered shortly. Then he added, "My mom gave me a spanking because I told a little lie."

"My mom never spanks me," bragged Randy.

"Maybe that's why you're always in trouble at school," Luke snapped.

At that moment the mailman approached, and the two dogs went out the open gate. "Come back here, Marcus!" Randy yelled as he started after his dog.

Luke stood up. "Buffy! Come here!" he called. Buffy stopped immediately and came back to Luke while Randy continued down the street, calling and coaxing his dog to stop. They went three blocks before Marcus decided to let his master catch him.

Randy came back, carrying his dog. "I thought Marcus was going to get run over!" exclaimed Randy. "He ran right out in front of a car." Looking at Buffy, he added, "You sure got your dog well trained. How'd you do it?"

"I used to spank him with a rolled-up newspaper when he didn't obey," Luke told Randy. "I hated to do it, but Dad said that was part of my responsibility. Buffy soon learned to mind me."

"I couldn't do that to Marcus," said Randy. "I love him too much to spank him."

"Well, a few spankings could save his life-after all, he
almost got run over because he didn't come when you called," Luke reminded
Randy. "I love Buffy, too, that's why I spanked . . . " Luke stopped as he
remembered what his mother had said. Maybe her love wasn't such a funny kind,
after all, he thought. Maybe it's Randy's kind of love that's
strange.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your parents punish you and also say they love you? They are telling you the truth. God says it's their responsibility to train you-and even spank you-when you need it. They don't enjoy doing that, but they know a little correction now can save you a lot of trouble later. Instead of being angry, think about the thing you did and thank God the discipline they've given.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him. Proverbs 22:15

[Soldier4Christ]

Karl and his friend Jared burst into the living room. "Look, Dad. I've got a new model plane." Karl held up the box so his father could see the picture of the fighter plane.

"Nice!" approved Dad. "You're getting quite a collection. You've brought home several models lately."

Kurt nodded. "I've got a Tiger, and a Hornet and a B-52 . . ."

"Can I see them?" interrupted Jared. "They must look cool, all lined up."

Karl hesitated. "Well, I haven't finished them yet. But I've got 'em all started. I'll finish them someday."

Dad looked up, frowning. "I've been thinking about that, and I think I'd better hold this one for you until the others are done," he said. "Leaving things unfinished is a waste of time and effort."

"Aw, Dad," protested Karl, "it's just a model."

"Yes," agreed Dad, "but I'm afraid you're developing life-long habits that will hurt you, Karl. Remember the garden you insisted you wanted last spring? You got the ground all prepared, but you never got it planted. And then there was the dog house you started to build. It . . ."

"Don't remind me," groaned Karl. "But don't worry-I'm going to finish it one of these days. I'll do it tomorrow."

Jared laughed. "My dad always says, 'Tomorrow never comes.'"

"He's right," agreed Dad. "God tells us we're to be faithful in all the things we have to do, big or small. Good work habits will help you serve the Lord better. If you can't finish things you start for your own pleasure, you probably won't finish things you start for God, either."

Karl looked at the model he was holding. Then he handed
it to his dad. "Okay-but don't put this too far away. I'll need it soon," he
said. He looked at Jared. "I've got some models I need to work on. Wanna give me
a hand?" Grinning, the boys headed for Karl's room.




TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.