Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Wow! Look at all the shoes!" Carrie exclaimed. "What kind shall I get?"

"How about those sandals?" asked her sister Glenna. "I like them!"

"Those are nice, but do you think you'd like them for school?" asked Mom. "The open toes and heels aren't very good for running, are they?"

Carrie shrugged. "They're not the best," she agreed, "but we don't run all that much in junior high anyway, except for gym, and I have gym shoes for that." After trying on several shoes, Mom agreed that she could get a pair of tan sandals.

As Dad watched the news on TV that evening, an ad for a local shoe store came on. Glenna looked up when she heard the lively music on the ad. It showed various shoes skipping and dancing around the store. Glenna laughed and pointed to the TV. "Look, Carrie!" she exclaimed. "None of the shoes we saw at the store were running around like that."

"They are now though!" declared Carrie. As she got up, she glanced at the new shoes on her feet. "See them go?" she asked as she skipped around the room.

Dad smiled. "Carrie's feet are like the Holy Spirit," he said.

"What?" exclaimed Glenna and Carrie in unison.

Dad grinned. "I was thinking about the verses we read after dinner tonight. They were about the Holy Spirit, remember?" The girls nodded. "Well, as you pointed out, the shoes you saw at the store didn't skip around or jump from place to place. Why didn't they?"

"Because . . . shoes can't move by themselves," replied Glenna.

"Right. They're not alive-they're dead," said Dad. "But when Carrie put on her new shoes, they began to move around. Carrie's feet put life in the shoes. That's just the way the Holy Spirit works. Without Him, we're all dead in our sins, but when Christ comes to dwell in our hearts through His Holy Spirit, He makes us alive spiritually."

"And just like there were many different colors and
styles of shoes, there are many different colors and types of people," added
Mom. "But no shoe will move without someone's feet living in them. And no person
will have new life without God's Holy Spirit living in him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have God's Holy Spirit living within you? If you've trusted Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior, He gave you new life through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps you know how to please God, comforts you when you're sad, and helps you know when you do wrong. His presence is a wonderful blessing-don't miss it! Trust Jesus as Savior today, and the Holy Spirit will be in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oops!" exclaimed Carrie as she stumbled while walking to school. "I keep stubbing my toe! I wonder if these shoes are just a little big for me."

Glenna shrugged. "Oh, look! There's Mrs. Clark peeking through her curtains," she said as the girls passed the Clarks' house. "She's so nosy! Whenever something happens, she's the first one there. She says she wants to help, but what she's really doing is trying to find some juicy gossip she can spread."

"Look at her trashy yard," added Carrie. "She should spend time cleaning it up instead of putting her nose in other people's business."

"Right," agreed Glenna. "Look!" She pointed ahead. "There's Brenda. You can tell she's a Clark-she's as bad as her mother. And she always looks like she's only half ready for school."

Carrie laughed. "Yeah-her hair's such a mess, and she wears that leather jacket with a big rip in it. And . . . OUCH!" Carrie stumbled again. "My toe!" she wailed. She looked down and saw a bleeding, throbbing toe. She limped a few steps, tears creeping down her cheeks. "This hurts really bad," she whimpered. "I'm going home and let Mom fix it up."

"Okay," said Glenna. "I'll see you later."

Carrie limped home, wincing painfully with every step on her left foot. "What happened?" Mom asked when she saw Carrie.

"Glenna and I were busy talking," replied Carrie, "and I was looking at Brenda Clark-she was a little ahead of us. Next thing I knew, I tripped and hurt my toe!"

"Were you talking about the Clark's?" Mom asked as she got out some bandages. "And were your comments similar to what you said yesterday?"

"Uh . . . kind of," admitted Carrie.

Mom shook her head. "Remember how we compared your feet
to the Holy Spirit?" she asked. Carrie nodded. "You hurt your foot when you
weren't careful about walking, and you can hurt the Holy Spirit when you're not
careful about your Christian walk. He's grieved, or hurt, when your actions
aren't pleasing to God-and I think you know that saying unkind things about
others does not please Him, right?" Thoughtfully, Carrie
nodded.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful to not grieve the Holy Spirit who lives within you? Do you realize you can hurt Him by unkind things you say about others, selfish acts, and even ungodly thoughts? Grabbing the biggest cookies, yelling at sisters and brothers, talking back to parents, and gossiping are a few things to guard against. As you yield to the Holy Spirit, He'll help you be unselfish, patient, submissive to your parents, and complimentary of others. Such things please Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

[Soldier4Christ]

"Yip! Yip!" The small terrier yelped and fled across the yard to the back door.

"Trixie!" screamed Ann. "Something's happened to Trixie!" Ann and her brother Karl ran to their pet. Ann picked up Trixie, and the little dog snuggled in her arms, trembling and whining. "Oh, Karl, I think she's hurt!"

"Where?" asked Karl.

"I don't know. Maybe she's just scared," answered Ann.

"Let's check her over," suggested Mom who had come to see what was going on. Ann gently lowered Trixie to the ground, and they carefully examined her. "Her legs are all right," observed Mom. "I don't see any signs of broken bones."

"And she's not bleeding," said Karl. "There's not a spot on her."

Both children stroked the sleek head. "Whatever it was, it sure scared her," said Ann. "Poor little thing!"

"Yeah," said Karl. "I've never seen her run so fast."

"She's not the only one who moved fast," said Mom with a smile. "I hope she appreciates her two protectors!"

"Last week, our Sunday school teacher said God is our protector." Karl told them. "Mr. Phelps said we can call on God for help at any time."

"When we do that, does He come running like we did?" asked Ann.

"Interesting question," said Mom. "Do you think God needs to run?"

Ann shook her head. "I don't think so," she said. "God is everywhere, and it would be pretty hard to run somewhere when you're already there."

Karl grinned and nodded. "Yeah . . . like Mr. Phelps said, God is always with us, so He wouldn't have to come running."

Ann hugged her pet. "I'm glad God's everywhere and I don't have to wait for Him to come when I'm in trouble." She laughed as Trixie tried to lick her face.

The others laughed with her. "I guess that's Trixie's
way of thanking you," observed Mom. "Let's be sure to let our protector know we
appreciate Him, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you confident that God is willing to help you whenever you need Him? Have you been aware of His presence when you were hurt or lonely? Have you called on Him when you were scared or didn't know what to do? He's right there, willing and able to help His children through any troubles. Be sure to thank Him for watching over you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

[Soldier4Christ]

"I hate mosquitoes!" Nanette slapped her arm. All evening she and her brother Isaac had been bothered by the pesky insects, but they didn't want to stay inside the cabin. They were going to be at the lake only one week, and they didn't want to spend the time inside! "Let's get some more bug spray," said Nanette, so they ran up the hill to the cabin, where their parents were sitting on the screened-in porch.

"You two tired of playing already?" asked Dad.

"No, but we're getting eaten alive! We have to put on more insect repellent," Isaac explained.

"Why did God have to make mosquitoes anyhow?" wondered Nanette.

"Well," Dad said, "mosquitoes might be a nuisance to you, but they're important to dragon flies. They're food for them."

Mom smiled. "And for purple martins," she added.

"And for bats," said Dad. "They eat mosquitoes, too. There are also certain kinds of fish who eat mosquito larvae."

"Really?" asked Nanette. "Well, as far as I'm concerned, they're welcome to 'em!"

"Do you remember what God said after He created the heavens and earth?" Dad asked.

"Sure. It was one of our Sunday school memory verses. 'God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good,'" replied Isaac, quoting the verse.

"Right." Dad nodded his head. "All of creation has been affected by sin. That's why some things God created are now harmful and irritating. But everything He made has a purpose, and He's promised to restore harmony within creation someday in the future. Then mosquitoes will no longer be a nuisance-even to you kids."

Nanette grinned as she held up the can of insect
repellent. "Well, this stuff has a purpose, too," she said, "and I hope it
works!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you wondered why God made mosquitoes or flies? Have you wondered why He made snakes or spiders or other creatures you don't like? He made all things to be part of His plan, but sin has affected that plan. However, there's still a balance and a purpose for everything, and someday God will again restore harmony to His creation. Thank Him for making all things good, even those you don't particularly enjoy.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1:31

[Soldier4Christ]

Jordan and his friend Tyler were exploring a park not far from their homes. "Wow, I'd hate to fall down there," said Tyler as the boys peered over a fence that separated them from a massive waterfall. "Look!" he exclaimed, pointing to some other boys who were climbing on the fence. One even walked along the top of the wooden rail while water from the falls plunged down not far from him. "He's just showing off with that balancing act!" added Tyler.

"Wow! That's scary," said Jordan. "My dad says they oughta put a better fence along here, and I think he's right. If that guy fell, it would be the end of him!"

"Sure would," agreed Tyler. As he spoke, the boys hopped off the fence and ran away, laughing. Tyler shook his head and lit a cigarette. He'd recently given in to urging from classmates and started smoking.

Jordan frowned. "Hey, Tyler, I dare you to walk the fence like that kid just did," he said after a moment.

Tyler looked at Jordan in surprise. "Not a chance!" exclaimed Tyler. He looked again at the waterfall. "That's dangerous!"

Jordan sighed. "Well, it's not the only dangerous thing in the world," he said. "You seem to like at least one of the other ones."

"What are you talking about?" demanded Tyler.

"I'm talking about your smoking," Jordan told him bluntly. "There are all kinds of hazard warnings about cigarettes, but you ignore them. I think you want to show the guys what a big shot you are. It seems to me you're doing a balancing act, just like that kid on the fence was."

Tyler blinked thoughtfully. "Well, I . . . Okay, I guess I did start smoking just to impress the guys," he admitted slowly. He dropped the cigarette on the ground and squashed it under the toe of his shoe. Then he turned to Jordan. "But what about you when you made fun of Daryl's stuttering the other day? You did that because it made the other guys laugh. You were showing off, too."

Jordan was startled. "You're right," he said. "I guess
we both have to make some changes in

[Soldier4Christ]

Ryan loved his grandfather very much, but one thing about Grandpa made him sad-Grandpa didn't know Jesus as Savior. "I've made my own way all my life," said Grandpa when anyone tried to show him he needed Jesus, "and I sure don't see any reason to change now."

One Saturday morning, Ryan went to spend the day with his grandfather. "Can we go for a hike in the woods?" asked Ryan eagerly.

"Good idea," agreed Grandpa, and soon they were off on their adventure.

They hiked all morning and had a fine time-until Grandpa tripped over a log and fell on a broken bottle sticking out from the ground. There was a big gash in his leg, and blood gushed out! "Grandpa!" Ryan exclaimed in dismay. "You need a doctor!"

"I don't need a doctor," grunted Grandpa. "I'll be fine!" He attempted to stop the bleeding, and then got up and tried to walk. Soon he had to sit down again. "I guess it's a pretty deep cut," he said faintly.

"Grandpa, you've got to have help-I'll find some," declared Ryan, and he rushed off, praying as he went. He offered a prayer of thanks when he met campers just entering the woods. Very soon Grandpa was on his way to the hospital.

When Ryan was allowed to go into Grandpa's room, he looked in awe at tubes carrying blood into Grandpa's veins. "Mom said you lost an awful lot of blood!" Ryan told him. He pointed to the tubes. "She said you'd have died without that blood!"

Grandpa nodded. "And I wouldn't have gotten it if you hadn't been brave and gone to find help by yourself," he said. "Thank you for doing that! I love you very much, Ryan."

"I love you, too," said Ryan, "and you know what? I just thought of something. You need this blood transfusion to stay alive-to keep your physical life-and you need Jesus' blood to save you and give you eternal life."

Grandpa frowned, but then he nodded. "Well, I always
thought I could live on my own, but I guess this accident proves I can't," he
said. "I'm obviously not as independent as I thought I was, so . . . okay. Tell
me more about Jesus. Maybe I need Him, too."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you like to do things for yourself? That's often a good thing, but never forget that everyone needs help at times. Don't be stubborn and refuse help when you need it. Everyone also needs help to get to heaven. No one-including you-can get there without Jesus. His blood was shed to purchase your salvation. Have you accepted His offer of eternal life?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9:22

[Soldier4Christ]

Lauren liked the freedom of being on her own for an hour before her mother got home from work. She poured herself a glass of milk, grabbed a cookie, and sat down to watch her favorite TV program. Mom wouldn't approve of this, she thought, feeling a bit guilty, but Mom's a little old fashioned. I can't see how watching this hurts anything. So she watched, and she was laughing so hard at the jokes, she didn't hear her mother's car pull into the driveway.

When Mom entered the room, Lauren jumped up in surprise. "Mom, you're home early!" she exclaimed.

Mom looked at the TV. "You shouldn't be watching that program, Lauren," she said. "Some of the jokes are what we call 'off-color'-they're actually sinful."

"Oh, Mom! I don't pay any attention to that bad stuff," replied Lauren.

Mom frowned. "We'll talk about it while we fix dinner-let's have tacos tonight. Please go shred the lettuce and cheese," she said. "I'll join you as soon as I've changed clothes." Hoping Mom would forget about the TV, Lauren quickly turned it off and headed for the kitchen.

When Mom came in and went to get hamburger from the refrigerator, she pulled out a plastic container and opened it. She wrinkled her nose, put the cover back on, and handed it to Lauren. "Here's the leftover turkey casserole we had last week," she said. "You can have the rest of it tonight. I know you like it even better than tacos."

"Oh, good!" exclaimed Lauren. But when she opened the container, she made a face. "Mom!" she exclaimed. "This stuff is moldy! It's gross!"

"Well, don't eat the part that's bad," said Mom. "Just eat the good part."

Lauren stared at her mother in disbelief. "I can't eat just the good part," she objected. "It's . . . it's all ruined by the part that's spoiled."

"I agree with you," said Mom. "I wouldn't eat it, but since you seem to think you can filter out all the bad things from the stuff you feed your mind, I thought maybe you'd like to try that with the things you feed your body, too."

Lauren slowly shook her head. "I see what you're saying," she admitted. "From now on I'll find something better to do after school-I promise!"

"Wise decision," said Mom. "Then I'll throw out the
spoiled food."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What is going into your mind? Do you think it will remain pure and clean even when you allow it to be filled with offensive language or scenes of immoral behavior? Be careful! Don't get used to swearing, off-color jokes, or ungodly behavior in books, magazines, TV programs, or conversations with friends. When those things no longer bother you, you're in trouble! Ask God to cleanse your mind and help you keep it clean and filled with wholesome thoughts and ideas.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oops!" exclaimed Zach when Mr. Larry, his Sunday school teacher, asked the boys to turn to the sixth chapter of Ephesians. "I forgot my Bible again!"

"Well, scoot your chair over and look on with Terry," suggested Mr. Larry.

"Okay," said Zach, moving his chair, "but why do you always have us look up stuff in our Bibles, Mr. Larry? Why don't you just tell us what it says?"

"Good question," said Mr. Larry. "The verses we'll be reading should help you understand that. But before we read them, let me tell you a story-one that will help you understand, too." The boys looked up eagerly as Mr. Larry began. "Frederick was a soldier, and he was a very proud one," said Mr. Larry. "He loved his country and believed in the laws of his government. When it was necessary to fight to protect those laws, he was always willing to go into battle. One day when that happened, Frederick came face to face with the enemy-but lo and behold, Frederick wasn't prepared. 'I forgot my sword!' he cried out. 'I have nothing with which to fight!' And it wasn't long before the enemy captured Frederick." The boys laughed. It seemed funny for a soldier to forget his sword! "Now let's look at our Bibles," said Mr. Larry. "Zach, would you read Ephesians 6:17, please?"

"Sure," agreed Zach. "It says, 'And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.'"

Even before Mr. Larry began speaking, Zach knew exactly
why his teacher had told the story. "We Christians are in a battle, too-a battle
against Satan," said Mr. Larry. "The Word of God is the sword we need in
fighting that battle! It shows us the difference between right and wrong. It
teaches us how to defeat our enemy. That's why I ask you to read from your
Bibles. Just carrying them along to Sunday school isn't what helps you, but by
looking up verses for yourselves, you become more familiar with God's Word and
what He teaches. You learn more about the men and women who served God, and you
learn how to serve God better yourselves." Mr. Larry held up his Bible. "Without
this, you're a little like unarmed soldiers."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use your Bible? Maybe you take it to church or Sunday school, but do you open it when you get there and follow along when it's read so you can see for yourself what God says? Do you use it wherever you go by remembering something it says that applies to your situation? It's important to study and use God's Word. It's part of the armor you need to fight Satan. Don't let him catch you without your sword!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Take the . . . sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

[Soldier4Christ]

"Yuck!" complained Dustin as he came into the house and sat down next to his brother Ben. "It smells terrible in here! What are you eating?"

"Just this hot dog," answered Ben. He pointed to a pan on the stove. "Mom said to fix yourself one. She had to go next door to help Mrs. Ray with something."

Dustin looked at Ben's plate on the counter. "Onions! That's what stinks! You're eating onions."

"Sure I am. What's a hot dog without onions?" Ben asked, smiling.

"It'll give you bad breath!" warned Dustin.

"So?" Ben laughed. "Onions may smell bad, but they sure taste good. If you don't like the smell, why don't you move farther away from me?"

"Good idea!" said Dustin. He got himself a hot dog and moved to the other side of the room. "I'm not spoiling my hot dog with any smelly onions!"

Dad, who had come in and heard most of the conversation, laughed. "Onions may not smell so good, but it could be worse," he observed.

Dustin made a face. "Not much!" he said. "In fact, I can't think of anything that would smell worse than onions!"

"How about garlic?" suggested Ben. "Or some kinds of smelly fish?"

Dad nodded. "Or . . . or think how awful it would be if your whole life smelled bad."

"My life?" mumbled Dustin with a full mouth.

Dad nodded. "See . . . when a person feeds regularly on God's Word and obeys His commands, his life becomes like a fragrant, sweet-smelling sacrifice to the Lord," said Dad. "It follows that when a person refuses to do as God commands and lives to please himself, his life is wretched and stinks of sin." He looked at Ben. "You mentioned that onions taste good," Dad added, "and sometimes sin tastes good, too-at least for a while. The guy who drinks or uses drugs or smokes probably feels good or important at the time, but often the end results are tragic. No matter how appealing sin looks, God hates it. I think we would be correct in saying that, to Him, sin stinks."

"Okay, I get it," acknowledged Dustin. "I'll remember to
make sure my life doesn't 'smell' even worse than onions!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your life like a nice fragrance or like an unpleasant odor? How do you behave when your mom asks you to do something? When you meet an unattractive person? When a someone breaks your things? When being honest will result in punishment? When someone tells a dirty joke? The list could go on and on. Is your behavior pleasing to God, or does it "stink" before Him? When you're tempted to do wrong, remember onions. Don't allow your behavior to "smell" even worse than that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We are to God the fragrance of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15

[Soldier4Christ]

"Timmy had a bike, a generous allowance, and lots of toys." Mom held up the book so everyone could see the pictures as she read a story to the children at bedtime. "When Timmy came home from school each day, his mother was there. He went with his family to church, and they always had daily devotions. He was a member of the Boy Scouts and played on a baseball team. It seemed as though Timmy had everything a boy could want, but he wasn't happy. He often moped and complained and asked for more and more things.

"When Grandmother came to spend the summer, she didn't say much, but she listened and watched. She saw Timmy throw a fit because his friends wouldn't do exactly as he ordered. She heard him demand a new baseball mitt because his old one had a little crack in it. She saw him become angry if anyone interrupted his video game."

"He was naughty, wasn't he?" asked little Davie when Mom paused.

Mom nodded. "Yes, he was," she agreed. She began reading again. "One day Grandmother asked, 'Timmy, will you run this magazine over to Aunt Maude at the nursing home for me, please?' Timmy did as his grandma asked, and he came home whistling.

"The next day Grandmother said, 'Timmy, today is your mother's birthday. Would you please help me bake a cake and fix a nice birthday dinner for her?' Timmy did, and later went to bed smiling.

"Grandmother had some other ideas, too. At her suggestion, Timmy mowed the lawn for Mr. Nelson who had broken his leg. He weeded the flower bed for his mother. He washed the car for his dad. He took care of the neighbors' dog while they were on vacation. And he complained less and less-and smiled, laughed, and whistled more and more.

"'What happened to Timmy?' asked his parents. 'He's like a different boy.'

"Grandmother simply smiled and said, 'To be happy we must serve, not be served. We must give, not get.'"

Mom closed the book. "That's a lesson the Bible teaches,
too," she added. "Let's be sure to remember it and to be busy and help each
other every day."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you happy as you go through each day? Or are you unhappy and wondering why? True happiness comes from serving Jesus and others. Think of ways you could help someone or things you could do to make someone else happy. Remember that Jesus became a servant. When you follow His example, you'll find real joy.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom!" called Ricky angrily as he ran into the house. "Mike did it again! He said if I'd play checkers with him, he'd let me use his basketball."

"Well, that seems fair to me," Mom said, "so what's the problem?"

"We played checkers, but he still won't give me the basketball," complained Ricky. "It's not fair! I'm never going to play with him again!"

"That wasn't fair, but never is a long time, Son," said Mom.

"Yeah? Well, I don't care!" stormed Ricky.

"I can understand how you feel," said Mom, "but do you think you could forgive Mike?"

"Why should I?" growled Ricky. "He doesn't deserve it."

"Maybe not . . . but someone forgave you even though you didn't deserve it," replied Mom. "Maybe you should follow that example."

"What did I do that had to be forgiven?" asked Ricky in surprise.

"Oh, you sinned quite a number of times," said Mom, "but Jesus forgave you."

"But . . .but . . ." Ricky didn't know what to say.

"Jesus spent His entire life helping people," said Mom. "He taught them many important things, healed their diseases-and even raised some people back to life. He wanted to be their friend! But instead of being thankful, many treated Him very badly, remember?" Ricky nodded thoughtfully. "In fact, a lot of people hated Him, and finally they crucified Him," added Mom. "It was our sins as well as theirs that sent Him to the cross. According to our way of thinking, Jesus had every right to hate those people-and us. He could have had nothing to do with them, or us, ever again-kinda like you and Mike. But instead of being mad, Jesus loved them and asked God to forgive them. He died on that cross so their sins and ours could be taken away." Mom nodded. "He set quite an example for us, didn't He?"

"I guess so," said Ricky as he headed for his room. After a while, he came back. "Mom, can I go over to Mike's house?" he asked hesitantly.

Mom's eyes twinkled. "I thought you were never going to play with him again."

"Aw, come on, Mom!" said Ricky. "Never is a long
time!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you argued with someone or been treated unfairly? Has someone not kept a promise? How did you react? Remember how much God has forgiven you and follow the example of Jesus. Forgive those who have wronged you. Love them anyway. Perhaps the Lord will use your example and testimony to bring them to Jesus, too


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

[Soldier4Christ]

"Alicia, I need you to go to the grocery store for me," said Mom. "We need bread and milk." Mom held out a book of food stamps. "And be sure to. . ." She stopped speaking when she noticed the pout on Alicia's face. "What's the matter?" asked Mom.

"Oh, Mom, do I have to go?" asked Alicia. "Why can't Abe do it?"

"Abe isn't here right now," replied Mom, "and I need the milk right away."

"Well, okay, but I'm not going to buy anything with those old food stamps!" declared Alicia. "I hate them!"

Mom sighed. "Honey, you should be thankful we have food stamps. We won't have to use them long . . . just until I can get a job."

"But it's so embarrassing," wailed Alicia. "Oh, why did Daddy have to have that accident?"

Mom put her arm around Alicia. "This hasn't been easy for any of us, but we have so much to be thankful for-not the least of which is that Daddy is doing so well now. I think God is teaching us a great deal from this experience."

"Like what?" Alicia asked.

"Well . . . for one thing, I've learned to be more considerate of other people," said Mom. "When things were going well and we had plenty, I'm afraid I often judged those who had less. Many times I even thought they were lazy."           

"Well, people probably say that about us now," said Alicia.

"Perhaps a few people do," said Mom, "but most of them know better. This experience has also shown me how proud I am. Like you, I hated to use food stamps when we first had them, but now I know there's no reason to be ashamed of using them." Mom smiled. "Actually, it's myself I'm ashamed of when I remember how proud I was."

Alicia sighed. "Okay," she said. "I guess I'm proud,
too, and that's worse than being poor, isn't it? I'll go get the stuff for you
right away."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you ever ashamed that your family has less than others? Or are you proud that you have more than some other kids? Instead of complaining about what you don't have or being proud of what you do have, remember that everything comes from God. He is the one who has promised to supply all you need. Be grateful for every means He uses to do that.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Give me neither poverty nor riches-Feed me with the food allotted to me. Proverbs 30:8

[Soldier4Christ]

Laura was upset. Mom's going to the hospital for her surgery today, she thought as she stomped angrily down the stairs, and then she has to have all that chemotherapy. I know that's to kill any remaining cancer cells, but it will probably make her lose her beautiful, long hair! Laura wiped away a tear. And what if . . . what if she dies? As Laura reached the bottom step, she heard her mother talking to Aunt Diane on the phone. They were laughing together. How can Mom be happy on such a miserable day? Laura wondered.

When Mom finished the conversation with Aunt Diane, she fixed Laura's breakfast-two peach slices atop a pancake, with a link of sausage arranged as a smile. Laura frowned. "How can you be happy today?" she asked. "I'm so scared."

"It's a scary situation," agreed Mom, "but we can trust God to work everything out for our good."

Laura began to cry. "Oh, Mom!" she sobbed. "I don't want you to die."

Mom knelt beside Laura's chair. "Honey, God has all things under His control," said Mom softly. "The doctors expect me to make a full recovery-but I'm trusting God, no matter what happens. He'll be there for both of us. The Bible says God is watching every step I take-and every step you take, too."

"Yes, but . . ." Laura sniffed and sighed deeply. "It's hard to trust when you're afraid," she said.

"I know," agreed Mom, "but actually, it should be easier for us to trust God than all the other things we trust every day."

"Like what?" asked Laura.

"Like . . . well, like me and the breakfast I fixed," said Mom. "You trusted me-a mere human-to give you healthy food. Don't forget that God is more trustworthy than humans." Mom looked around. "And I heard you stomp hard down the stairs this morning," she added. "The stairs in this old house have gotten a bit rickety over the years. If our old stairs can support your angry steps, don't you think God will support our every step in life?"

Laura nodded slowly. "But . . . what if your hair falls out, Mom?" she asked.

"Then we'll save money on shampoo for a while," said Mom with a grin.

Laura had to smile. Mom is trusting God every step, and
I will, too, she decided.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you trust God when everything seems to go wrong? When your dad loses his job or your grandma dies? When your friends laugh at you for going to church and Sunday school? When you or people you love are sick? God wants you to learn to depend on Him for all things. Even when things enter your life that seem bad to you, trust God and believe that He'll help you through the heartache and pain.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverb s 16:9

[Soldier4Christ]

"Was that Aunt Karen?" asked Greg as his mother hung up the phone.

"Yes, it was," replied Mom with a big smile, "and she said the infection in Maria's eye has completely cleared up. It's really a miracle!"

"I guess so!" exclaimed Greg as he thought back over the past months. His little cousin had been taking various medications to clear up an eye infection, but the eye specialist thought she would probably need surgery. Greg and his family had been praying for Maria every day.

"What's up?" asked Greg's sister Tonya as she came into the room. Greg and Mom told her what Aunt Karen had said. "Oh, great!" cheered Tonya. "God answered our prayers, didn't He?" She sat down at the table. "Wouldn't it be cool to have God do a miracle in your life?"

Greg grinned at his sister. "What miracle would you wish for?" he asked. "It couldn't be that you'd get over an illness-you're healthy as a horse." He scratched his head as he pretended to think about it. "Maybe you wish you'd become beautiful," he teased. "Or better yet, that you'd become the helpful, kind, loving sister your wonderful brother deserves to have."

Tonya playfully swatted at him as she answered. "I'm already a more terrific sister than my baby brother deserves," she told him.

Mom smiled. "Actually, God has already performed a wonderful miracle in each of your lives," she said.

"He has? When was that?" asked Tonya.

"Yeah, Mom. What miracle are you talking about?" Greg wanted to know. "I know God's given us lots of blessings, but they're not really miracles, are they? Not the kind of miracles we're thinking of."

"I'm talking about when you received Jesus as Savior,"
Mom explained. "I remember a song that says, 'It took a miracle to put the stars
in place. It took a miracle to hang the world in space. But when He saved my
soul, cleansed and made me whole, it took a miracle of love and grace.' When God
changes our hearts and lives, when He takes away our sin and gives us new life
in Christ, that's the greatest miracle of all."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Has Jesus done a miracle in your life? Many people today are looking for miracles to prove that God's power is real, but they fail to recognize the greatest miracle of all-a changed life. God still does wonderful, miraculous things-sometimes through healing diseases or giving protection in dangerous situations, sometimes through mighty acts of nature. But the most wonderful miracle of all is what He does in salvation. You may experience that today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation . . . behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

[Soldier4Christ]

As Eric and Darrin painted a raft they had built, Darrin started singing. When Eric heard the words of the song, he looked at Darrin in surprise. "Where in the world did you learn that?" asked Eric.

"Oh, it's on the latest tape by the Mid Knight Witches," answered Darrin. "I bought it yesterday at the mall."

"But you're a Christian!" Eric exclaimed.

"So? The Bible doesn't say we can't listen to the Mid Knight Witches," replied Darrin. "Besides, I don't pay attention to the words."

"You must pay some attention to them," argued Eric. "You already know them, and you said you got the tape just yesterday." He shook his head. "Listen to what you're singing! Those words are awful-really brutal and cruel."

"They don't mean anything," protested Darrin. "At least not to me. You're getting awfully narrow-minded, Eric."

"I don't care!" replied Eric. "I don't think that's a good song to sing."

The conversation with Darrin still bothered Eric that night. As he sat down to supper, he told his parents what Darrin had said. "That's interesting. I read an article in last night's paper about a popular rock group," said Dad. "The lead singer was quoted as saying he enjoyed the power the group had over young people's minds. He admitted that violence was one of the major themes in their music."

"I'm gonna find that article and show it to Darrin," decided Eric. "Besides, I don't think he was right when he told me the Bible doesn't say anything about listening to music by the Mid Knight Witches! After all, God says to make a joyful noise, and the Mid Knight Witches album sure isn't joyful!"

"The Bible also speaks of making melody in our hearts to the Lord," Mom reminded him.

Eric smiled and nodded. "I'll show him those verses,
too," he said. "He won't listen to me, but maybe he'll listen to what God
says."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of music do you listen to on your radio? What kind of tapes or CDs do you buy? Do you think rock music is okay because you don't pay any attention to the words? Be careful! The lyrics in rock songs-or other popular songs-often are not pleasing to the Lord. There are many good songs that are fun to sing. Listen to the right kind of music!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19