Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"What's for breakfast today?" asked Julie as she and her brother John came to the table one Sunday morning.

"Bacon and hard boiled eggs," replied Mom. "If anyone wants an egg fixed some other way, I can manage that, too."

After thanking God for the food, they began to eat. Dad held up an egg and gazed at it thoughtfully. "I read something interesting about eggs," he said. "The shell of an egg is strong enough so that the hen can sit on it without breaking it. It protects the chick from many dangers. Because of the rounded shape of the shell, it's quite strong when struck from the outside. In fact, the article I was reading said the shape of the egg makes it difficult to break it by simple squeezing it in your hand."

"Aw, I bet I could break it," scoffed John. "Can I try one, Mom?"

"Maybe sometime, but not right now," said Mom.

"Who'd want to do that anyway?" protested Julie. "Think what a mess it would make in your hand if you did break it!"

Dad smiled. "Do you know how the small, helpless chick is able to hatch out of such a tough egg?" he asked.

"It pecks its way out, doesn't it?" asked John.

Dad nodded. "That's right. Although the shell resists pressure very well from the outside, it cracks easily when pecked from within. I think that's a good example of how a church can resist outside pressure and persecution as long as Christians unite together in love. But when they start criticizing and picking on each other, their fellowship with God and with one another can be broken."

"That's a good lesson for all of us to remember whenever
we're tempted to be critical," said Mom, "especially when we're tempted to
criticize another Christian." She looked around the table. "Now . . . you kids
had better finish eating and go get ready. We don't want to be late for
church."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you in the habit of criticizing your pastor, your Sunday school teacher, or others in your church family? A critical attitude is not right for a Christian. Loving actions are what God wants to see. In Revelation 12:10, Satan himself is called "the accuser of our brethren." Don't do his work for him. Remember "the mighty egg" and display love toward one another rather than criticism!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, you didn't tell Logan he could invite Max Blackburn to go to Sunday school with us tomorrow, did you?" asked Jana, but she already knew the answer before her mother nodded. "Oh-h-h, Mother!" wailed Jana. "Max is horrid, and he's so crude! He's always mean to the girls. He's everything you tell us not to be, and then you turn around and say he can come along to Sunday school with us. If you knew all the awful things Max says and does, you wouldn't even want Logan to be friends with him."

"I don't want Logan to be best friends with Max or to do all that he does," said Mom, "but I want you both to be kind to him."

As she spoke, the door opened and Logan burst into the room, holding his wrist. "I was chopping up sticks in the back yard, and I cut my hand," he gasped.

Mom grabbed a clean cloth and pressed it tightly against the cut, but the wound was deep and kept on bleeding. "Come along," said Mom. She took her car keys off the hook by the door. "We're going to the hospital and get that checked out at the emergency clinic."

After a doctor examined Logan's hand, he stitched and bandaged it. Soon they were ready to go back home.

"Those doctors and the nurses were cool," said Logan when they got home and he showed Dad the bandages. "They took really good care of my hand, and they were all so nice. I liked 'em all."

Dad smiled. "That's what hospitals and doctors and nurses are for-to take care of the sick and hurting," he said.

"Something like church," mused Mom. "The church is a good place for the sin-sick, hurting people who need Jesus." She glanced at her daughter. "Jana, what if hospitals only allowed clean, healthy people in their emergency rooms?"

Jana sighed. "I know you're thinking about Max," she said.

"Max?" asked Logan. "What about him?" He frowned at his sister. "I know you don't like him. He's not my favorite person, either, but he's coming to Sunday school tomorrow, and you better be nice to him!"

"I'll be nice! I'll be nice!" promised Jana. "I'll be as
nice to him as the doctors and nurses were to you! I know it's good that he's
coming, and I'll be nice!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you invite only nice, kind kids who behave well to go to church with you? Keep inviting the nice ones-they need Jesus. But those who aren't so well-behaved or so pleasant to be around need Jesus, too. If you know kids with special behavior problems, be kind to them. Don't make them your best friends, but treat them nicely and invite them to attend church or Sunday school with you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Luke 5:32

[Soldier4Christ]

"You know what, Dad? My science textbook says we evolved from lower forms of life," said Abigail one evening. "That's not at all what the Bible teaches, but I think my friend Elaine believes it. How can I convince her that it's silly?"

Dad thought a bit, then showed Abigail an advertisement from the newspaper he was reading. "Cut out all the words and pictures in this ad," he said. "Tell me when you're done." Abigail rolled her eyes. Dad often gave her some project instead of just answering a question. She knew she wouldn't get an answer until she did what he said, so she got a scissors and began cutting. "Now toss those words and pictures into the air," said Dad when she was finished. Abigail frowned, but did as he said. "Good," approved Dad when they had landed on the floor. "Do you like the ad the pieces make up now as much as the one you cut up?"

"Dad!" exclaimed Abigail. "What are you talking about? Half of the words aren't even right side up! They don't make an ad now-you know that!"

"Why do you suppose that is?" asked Dad, pretending to be surprised.

"Because they fell by chance. I didn't take time to make them say anything," replied Abigail.

Dad nodded. "Now . . . think about our bodies," he said. "The veins, pores, internal organs, and bones-all an intricate design. Could that have happened just by chance, without being planned?"

"No," replied Abigail. "I'm sure it couldn't-but I already knew that. It's Elaine I'm wondering about." She motioned toward the words on the floor. "Maybe I should have her try something like this."

Dad nodded. "It might help her see that a finished product doesn't just happen," he said. "Even an ad takes planning and work. As for our bodies, God designed each part of us with great love and care."

Abigail nodded. "It seems so obvious that God created us. I wonder why more people can't see that."

"I'm not sure," said Dad. "Perhaps people recognize that being made by a loving Creator makes them responsible to live to please Him. Maybe they don't want that responsibility."

Abigail shrugged. "Maybe," she said, "but it sure seems
silly to think everything evolved without somebody planning it. I'm glad I know
better."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is evolution taught in your school? The Bible says God created human beings and breathed into them the "breath of life." Living things-people, animals, vegetation-could no more happen without having been planned than lunch boxes and books and school buses and buildings could. God lovingly designed all of creation-including you. He made you and deserves your praise and service.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Jacob picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Hi, Trevor," he said. "Do you know what I'm gonna do about Alex tomorrow? I'm tired of that bully and I've made up my mind. I'm going to punch him if he bothers us!" As Jacob spoke, he glanced into the dining room and was surprised to see his grandfather reading at the table. Jacob lowered his voice. "I've got to go now. 'Bye." He hung up the phone. I hope Grandpa didn't hear me, he thought. Jacob knew how his grandfather felt about fighting.

"What was that all about?" asked Grandpa.

Jacob shrugged. "Nothing much," he said. "It was just about some stuff at school." He needed to change the subject. "What are you reading?"

"My Bible," said Grandpa. He patted the cover. "I was reading verses telling about what happened when Jesus was arrested. Even then He taught His followers that physical fighting is not the way to settle differences."

Jacob sighed. "You heard what I said on the phone, didn't you?" he asked.

"Yes, I did," said Grandpa, "and I wondered what it was that made you want to fight."

"I don't want to fight," protested Jacob, "but every day this kid waits at the soccer field. He grabs our ball if it gets anywhere near him, and he won't give it back until recess is over."

"Punching him is the answer?" asked Grandpa.

"Maybe not," admitted Jacob, "but what else can we do?"

"Have you talked to your teacher about it?" asked Grandpa. Jacob shook his head. "Think about how Jesus would want you to handle this problem," suggested Grandpa. "Even when Jesus knew He was going to die, He taught us to love-not hate. He says we should even love our enemies." Grandpa paused. "There may be another reason why this boy hangs around the soccer field," he added. "Think about it."

Later that evening, Jacob joined Grandpa on the porch swing. "I thought about what you said. I'm not going to fight," Jacob told him. "I'm going to try something else-something I should've done before."

"What's that?" Grandpa asked.

"I'm going to ask him if he'd like to play with us!"
replied Jacob.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you do when someone "bullies" you? Do you yell at him or her? Do you throw punches? Do you encourage the other kids to be unkind to the person bothering you? Or do you remember what Jesus taught? Try being patient and kind. It generally gets better results than fighting back. If necessary, seek help from a teacher or other adult in letting the person know you'd like to be his friend. Remember that God says love is your best weapon.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, make Shawn leave me alone!" Bridgette exclaimed as she pushed her little brother into the kitchen. "He follows me everywhere!"

Shawn's eyes clouded with tears. "I didn't do nothin'."

Mom hugged her son and turned to her daughter. "What's the problem?"

"He asks 'why' over and over and over," complained Bridgette. "I get so tired of hearing it and trying to answer it."

Mom smiled. "I guess you don't remember all the questions you used to ask, do you?"

"What questions?" asked Bridgette in surprise.

"Oh, there were a lot of them," Mom told her. "Like, 'Why are puppies so cute?' 'Why do birds sing?' 'Why do fingers have nails?' 'Why does Grandpa walk so slow?' 'Why are trees tall?' Now Shawn is learning by asking questions just like you did."

Bridgette laughed. "Well, in that case I guess I better try to be a little more patient," she decided, "but I hope he learns fast. It does get annoying."

"I realize that," sympathized Mom. "You know, it just occurred to me that when Jesus was a boy, He asked questions, too. How about getting my Bible from the family room?"

"Sure," said Bridgette. She hurried out and soon came back with the Bible. Mom opened it, pointed to a verse, and asked Bridgette to read it. "Now so it was that after three days," read Bridgette, "they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions."

Mom took the Bible and closed it. "I've heard preachers say that, young as He was, Jesus was teaching. Others have suggested that He was also learning," she said. "In any case, maybe it will help us have more patience if we remember that even Jesus asked a lot of questions."

Bridgette nodded and held out her hand to her little brother. "Come on, Shawn. Let's go back outside."

Shawn went along happily. Mom smiled when, just before
the door closed, she heard Shawn's voice begin, "Bridgette, why . .
."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you become impatient with someone who asks a lot of questions?  Do you ask a lot of questions yourself? God does not condemn honest questions, and neither should you. It's a natural way of learning. Ask the Lord to help you be a patient listener and a good teacher when questions are asked of you. When you don't know answers, be sure to ask questions yourself, and learn from the teachers God has provided for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
A wise man will hear and increase learning. Proverbs 1:5

[Soldier4Christ]

"That's what Maria said, Staci. She said she thinks you're stupid!" reported Tammi. "But don't let her know I told you, okay? See you tomorrow."

As Tammi hung up the phone, Mom frowned. "Honey, why did you tell Staci that Maria said she was stupid?" she asked.

"Because she did," Tammi replied quickly. "Staci and Maria don't get along. They're always quarreling."

Mom raised her eyebrows. "And you add fuel to the fire?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" asked Tammi.

"Come with me," said Mom. She led the way to the fireplace in the family room and pointed to the smoldering fire. "What would happen if I added a log to the fire, Tammi?"

"The fire would get bigger," Tammi replied.

"Right. And what if we don't add any more wood to it?" Mom asked.

"It will die out pretty soon," Tammi answered.

Mom nodded. "It's often like that when two people don't get along," she said. "Their quarrel usually dies out if there isn't anyone to stir it up and keep it going. God refers to a person who does that as a 'talebearer.' And that person is generally the one who gets hurt. You . . ." Mom was interrupted by the telephone.

"I'll get it," said Tammi quickly. "It's probably Maria. She was going to call me." Tammi was glad to end the conversation.

Tammi came home from school the next day with red, puffy eyes. "Is something wrong, honey?" asked Mom.

"This morning Maria invited me to go with her to the riding stables next weekend," said Tammi, choking back a sob, "but after school, she came up and said the invitation is off. She said she's going to take Natalie instead. Maria is really mad at me because she found out I told Staci what she said about her."

"I'm sorry, but I'm really not surprised," said Mom.
"Didn't I warn you that encouraging others to quarrel is like feeding a fire,
and the person who does that is usually the one who gets hurt? I think you need
to apologize to both girls and follow God's advice to be a peacemaker-to help
them get along, not to quarrel."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you tempted to tell kids unpleasant things others have said about them?  It's an unwise thing to do.  Not only will it hurt others, but it will hurt you, too.  God suggests a better way.  he says, "Blessed are the peacemakers."  If you know two people who don't get along well, do what you can to keep peace between them.  Report what they say about each other only it it's something positive.  Be a peacemaker, not a talebearer.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Proverbs 26:20
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

[Soldier4Christ]

Kyle looked out the car window at the houses, trees, and fence posts they were passing. A vacant lot where scrubby, frost-tipped branches poked out of the brown grass looked familiar. "Mom," he said, pointing out the window, "isn't that the field where we picked blackberries last summer?"

Mom glanced over. "Sure enough," she said.

"You know what else?" said Kyle. "Driving home from picking berries that day was the last time I rode in the blue car."

"The day before the accident," Mom said thoughtfully. Kyle nodded. He remembered what had happened the next day. The phone had rung as he was eating lunch. After answering it, Mom had looked stunned. "Dad's been in an accident," she'd said. "Thank God he's not badly hurt. He says the car looks like a crushed tin can!"

Now Kyle looked from the field back to Mom. "That sure was a surprise, wasn't it?" he said. "When we were driving home from picking berries, it never occurred to me that such a thing might happen-that Dad would be hit by a truck the next day and the car would be smashed and I'd never ride in it again."

"I'm sure that didn't occur to any of us," said Mom. "The book of James reminds us that we never know what will happen tomorrow, so we should be conscious of God's hand in all that takes place in our lives."

Kyle nodded. "It started out like an ordinary day," he remembered. "I got up and had breakfast and played outside with the guys. Then we were having lunch when . . . surprise! The day wasn't ordinary anymore!"

Mom smiled at Kyle. "There's going to be a big surprise
on another ordinary day," she said. "We'll be doing ordinary, everyday things,
expecting life to go on as it always has, and suddenly . . ." Mom snapped her
fingers, ". . . Jesus will come back to take us to heaven to be with Him. It
could happen any day. It will be a terrible time for those who haven't trusted
in Him, but a great and wonderful event for those who are ready-for all who know
and love Him."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
If Jesus comes back today, will you be ready? Some day-some ordinary day-He's coming again. Sin-the bad things you've done or thought-cannot enter heaven, but Jesus took the punishment for all those bad things. If you're truly sorry for your sin, confess that to God and accept His forgiveness.  Then you can eagerly look forward to the wonderful time of His return.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44

[Soldier4Christ]

Though the days were getting chilly, Noah was sitting out on the front steps, singing a chorus he had learned years before in Sunday school. "I will make you fishers of men . . . if you follow Me."

Just as he finished the song, his mother came outside with a cup of hot chocolate. "Here, Noah," she said, "I thought you might like this to warm you up a bit."

"Thanks, Mom!" exclaimed Noah.

"I heard you singing. We sang that same song when I was a kid," said Mom. "I haven't sung it for years."

Noah laughed. "I haven't, either," he said, "but our teacher wants us to put on a little program for the younger kids. We'll sing a few songs and do a short skit."

"That's a good idea," said Mom. "Do you know what that song means?"   

   "Sure," Noah answered. "Everybody knows what it means to go fishing, but Jesus wants Christians to go fishing for people. He wants us to help others come to know Him."

"Right," approved Mom.

As Noah sipped the steaming hot chocolate, he thought about fishing-especially fishing for people-and all that it involved. Suddenly he jumped up. "Mom, can I go over to Jeremy's house?" he asked. Mom agreed, and away Noah ran.

"Hi, Jeremy," said Noah when he reached his friend's house. "Want to go to Bible Club with me?"

"Bible Club?" asked Jeremy. "What's that? What do you do there?"

"Oh, it's pretty cool," answered Noah. "We play games, sing songs, and learn things from the Bible. How about going with me this Thursday?"

 Jeremy shrugged. "Okay," he said.

"Great!" said Noah. "Hey, let's go and ask Zack if he wants to go, too!" They did, and Zack agreed to join them.

As Noah was getting ready for bed that night, he told
his mother about his "fishing trip" that afternoon. "Well, I see you really do
know the meaning of that song," said Mom with a smile. "I hope you'll be a
'fisherman' for Jesus as long as you live."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a "fisher of men"? Lots of kids get excited about fishing for fish. Get excited about "fishing for people," too! You can do this by both your actions and words. Tell your friends about Jesus. Invite them to join you at church, Sunday school, or Bible club. Let them see Jesus in your life-by your helpfulness, cheerfulness, and kindness to others. Let them see Him by your honesty, your patience, and your love for God. Encourage them to come to Jesus, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
(Jesus said) Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!" Jake exclaimed. "I left my coat at Uncle Don's
house. I wore it when we went fishing Saturday, but

when it got hot, I took it off and put it in Uncle Don's truck."

"Well, Jake," said Dad, "I guess I can't scold you. I left something over
there myself, some research books

I took along to study during our visit. I knew I should have put them in the
car as soon as I was done with

them, but I didn't!"

"Mom said Aunt Jane and Uncle Don are planning on visiting us in a couple of
weeks," said Jake. "They can

bring the coat and books then."

Just then Mom walked into the room. She was laughing. "I overheard all that,"
she told them, "and I have an

idea. Send them an email with the message 'Second Timothy 4:13.' I think
they'll get a kick out of that."

Jake looked puzzled. "Why? What do you mean, Mom?" he asked. <BR><BR>"Look it
up and see!" Mom smiled as she handed


Jake a Bible.

Jake found the verse and read it aloud. "Bring the cloak that I left with
Carpus at Troas when you come, and

the books, especially the parchments." Jake grinned. "I wonder if Uncle Don
would catch on."

Dad laughed. "Oh, I'm sure he and Aunt Jane will figure it out," he said.

"I've always liked that verse," said Mom. "It's easy to think the people in
the Bible were different from

us, that they weren't quite human with the same kinds of needs and problems
we have. That isn't true. To me,

this passage shows us the human side of Paul. He's writing about things that
are happening to him. He needed

his cloak and his books just like you need your coat and Dad needs his
books."

Dad nodded. "You're right," he said. "Paul was just an ordinary man, but God
used him in an extraordinary

way."

"I'll go send the email right now," said Jake. As he went to turn on the
computer, he thought about what his

parents had said. So God uses ordinary people, he thought with a grin. Well,
I guess that means God can use

            me!






HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought the people God uses are very different from you? Pastors, missionaries, and others who serve the Lord are ordinary people. Yes, they have unique personalities or abilities. So does everyone, so do you! If you're willing to let the Lord work in your life, He can use you in a special way. Will you say, "Here am I, Lord, an ordinary person! Send me to do whatever work you have for me to do"?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I said, "Here am I! Send me." Isaiah 6:8

[Soldier4Christ]

"I don't know how I'm going to get everything done," said Mom one morning. "I have so many errands to run, and I've got to bake a birthday cake for Tommy."

"I can make Tommy's cake," offered Meg. "I've watched you do it lots of times. Besides, Tommy's only three, and he'll eat anything! I can make it."

"That would really help!" exclaimed Mom. "The directions are right on the box, and there's a can of frosting in the cupboard, too."

Meg started the cake soon after her mother left. She read the directions. "Simple," she said as she poured the mix into a bowl. She had just thrown the box into the trash when the phone rang. It was her friend Cheryl. After chatting a while, Meg hung up the phone and went back to making her cake.

This batter is thick, Meg thought when she poured it into the cake pan. I don't remember it being so stiff when Mom made it, but I suppose it was. When the cake was done, Meg frosted it carefully and was pleased with the way it looked.

After supper, Meg cut the cake. "This doesn't look right," she said when she took a piece out and put it on a plate. "It looks . . ."

"Odd," finished her brother Keaton, "but the frosting looks good."

"I'm sure it's fine," said Dad quickly.

 Meg was disappointed when even Tommy refused the cake and ate only the frosting. "What did I do wrong?" she asked.

"Did you follow the directions?" asked Mom.

"I . . . I think so," said Meg. "I read them, but then Cheryl called, and I didn't look at them again-I had already thrown the box away, and I figured I remembered them anyhow. Now that I think about it, maybe I was supposed to put more water in the batter. Was it supposed to have an egg, too?"

"Well," said Dad after a moment, "let's have family devotions." He reached for the Bible. "Let's be sure we don't treat God's Word the way you treated the directions on that cake box," he added with a smile.

"You mean we shouldn't think we already know all we need to learn from the Bible because we've read it before?" suggested Keaton.

Dad nodded. "Paying attention to directions-especially
God's directions-is very important," he said. "Let's be sure we don't ignore
them."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you follow the directions God gives in His Word? Read them carefully, and read them more than once. Check up often to see if you are living the way you should and to see if God has further things for you to learn. It's important to spend time with God's Word and then to follow the directions He gives.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16

[Soldier4Christ]

The Nelsons were on their way home from a family reunion. "Oh-h-h," groaned Heather as she sank back in the seat, "I think I ate too much of Aunt Margie's apple pie. It sure was good!"

"And I think I played too much baseball." Dad laughed. "I'm getting too old to be running around the bases!"

"I really didn't feel much like going today, but it was a lot of fun," observed Katie. "I'm glad I went. I hope we have a family reunion again next year."

Heather nodded. "The games were fun, and it was kinda cool to see all those great aunts and uncles, too. I didn't know we had so many relatives!"

"You know what I liked?" Katie asked. "I liked seeing Mom's Uncle Harold and some of the other older people. They have such interesting stories."

"I've heard Mom tell some of the same stories before," said Heather, "but it's even more fun to hear them from the people they actually happened to."

"I'm thinking of another family reunion we'll be attending some day," said Dad.

"Another one?" asked Katie. "One with people from your side of the family instead of Mom's?"

"Both," said Dad. "I'm thinking of the reunion of our spiritual family when we all get to heaven. We'll be reunited with our friends and relatives who've gone to heaven before us. And we'll meet people we know only from reading about them-some who are living now, and others from long ago."

"I'd like to meet Billy Graham," said Mom. "He's preached in so many places."

"How about people from the Bible, like the Apostle Paul . . . or Moses?" asked Katie. "Or Noah? Maybe we can ask him what it was like living on an ark with all those animals."

"Yeah!" exclaimed Heather. "And I'd like to ask Jonah how it felt to be inside a fish! Do you think we'll really get to do that?"

Mom grinned at the two girls. "Maybe," she said. "I don't know. We may be enjoying so many other things that we're no longer interested in things like that."

"We get so busy and interested in things here on earth
that heaven hardly seems real," observed Dad. "Today you enjoyed a reunion you
didn't think you'd care for. You can be sure the reunion-and life-in heaven will
be far, far better!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does heaven seem far off and rather unreal? That's natural, but be assured that the gathering of God's people in heaven will be a wonderful time! Tales of life long ago are interesting, but the reunion in heaven of the entire family of Christians-including people you've read about in the Bible and others who lived many years ago-will be far more special. Best of all, you'll meet Jesus.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

The family car swung from the curb after dropping off Mrs. Shrively. As the
old lady climbed the porch steps, little Annie waved to her.

"Whew!" exclaimed Sarah. "I'm glad Mrs. Shrively's gone. I wish we didn't have to give
her a ride to church all the time. She just about drives me
crazy." "Yeah," echoed her brother Ayden. "Her laugh is the
pits." Sarah agreed. "Her hair sure looks funny, and her dresses . . ."
Sarah giggled. "They're worse than bags. They're as big as
tents!"

"Kids!" Mom's voice showed her disapproval. "You both know better
than to talk like that! Mrs. Shrively loves the Lord and is a fine Christian
woman." "But she bosses me around all the time," said Ayden, "and then
she quotes Scripture to back up what she says. I wish she'd just leave me
alone."

"I like her," declared Annie. "Mrs. Shrively embarrasses
me in front of my friends," complained Sarah. "She acts like I'm her special
friend. She makes it sound as though I like to spend lots of time with
her." "Did you know God loves her?" asked Dad. Sarah shrugged.
"Sure. He loves everybody."

"In fact," said Mom, "God loves her just as
much as He loves you kids and Dad and me, and anyone else in the whole
world." Dad nodded. "God loves her so much that He gave the very best
heaven had to offer, His only Son, the Lord Jesus."

Sarah and Ayden were silent,
thinking. "Since God loves her that much, do you think you ought to criticize
her like you do?" "No," Sarah admitted with a sigh. "I'll just . . . just
not say anything about her."

Ayden nodded. "Me, neither," he
agreed. "I think we can do even better than that," said Mom. "I'm sure
God will help each of us to find at least one good thing to say about Mrs.
Shrively each week." "I know something already," offered Annie. "She
helped me put my coat on."

"Good," approved Dad. "I believe God will be
pleased to give us victory over the bad habit we've developed and help us
establish a good one in its place."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you depend upon God to help you treat everyone nicely? Is there someone you really have trouble liking, someone who just "bugs you"? Whenever you're tempted to be critical or unkind, remember that God made the person you're criticizing, and God loves him or her just as much as He loves you. If you keep that in mind, you should have no trouble knowing how you should behave toward the person you don't find attractive.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

[Soldier4Christ]

Micah and Maggie, who were twins, were spending the weekend with their grandparents. "Our teacher is a Christian," said Maggie as they sat before the fire, popping corn with an old-fashioned, long-handled basket. "At school today, Pete asked her why people think they'll get to heaven just because they have faith in Jesus. Pete said he didn't think faith was really important. Miss Wilson told him people need faith to live in this world as well as to become a Christian. She says that almost everything we do takes faith, and if we can have faith in people and things, we certainly should be able to have faith in God."

Micah nodded. "Yeah," he said, "but that sounds kind of silly to me. I don't know what she means by having faith in so many things. I'm not even quite sure what faith is. The bell rang, and she didn't have time to explain it." He took the corn popper, moved nearer the fireplace, and shook it over the hot coals.

"Why are you holding that over the fire?" asked Grandpa. "And why shake it?"

Micah looked at him in surprise. "It has to get good and hot to make the kernels pop," said Micah. He pulled a stool closer so he could sit down. "I shake it to keep the kernels from just staying in one spot and burning."

"Why are you sitting on that stool?" asked Grandpa. "Aren't you afraid it will collapse?"

"Grandpa!" protested Micah. "Of course not!"

"So . . . you have faith that the heat will cause a change in the kernels," said Grandpa as they began turning into white puffballs. "And you have faith that shaking them will keep them from burning, and that the stool will hold you up. If you give it a little thought, I'm sure you'll think of other things you have faith in."

Maggie laughed at the astonished expression on her brother's face. "Yeah, Micah. I guess you agree with Miss Wilson after all," she said.

Micah laughed, too. "I guess I do," he decided. "She's right. We do use faith for lots of things we do."

Grandpa nodded his head. "Very simply, faith is just
believing. Faith in God is believing that what He says is true-even though we
may not understand it." He took a bowl of popcorn. "And we should never doubt
that Jesus can save us because we have to accept it by faith."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have faith? If you ride in a bus or a plane or even a car, that takes faith-a belief that those things will get you where you want to go. It takes faith in the pilots or drivers, and if you think about it, you'll find you have faith in many other people, too. Then certainly you can have faith in God. People can make errors, but not God. Believe what He says in the Bible-first of all for salvation, and also for all the promises He has given.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God). Hebrews 11:6

[Soldier4Christ]

Erin and her friend Leslie stopped to look at the window display of a clothing store. Erin turned to speak to her mother, who had come to the mall with them. "Mom, look! Look at that cool outfit! Can I get it for my birthday?" she pleaded. "All the girls wear shirts like that one."

"I don't know," Mom answered doubtfully. "Things in this store are pretty expensive. And really, Erin, I think it's rather sloppy looking."

"I love it!" Erin exclaimed. "It's the latest fashion."

"Those jeans are cool, too," added Leslie.

"Yeah," agreed Erin. "Oh, please, Mom!" She looked hopefully at her mother.

Mom frowned. "I've seen jeans at the discount store that look just as nice. I don't think anyone would know the difference if you had them instead of these."

"They'd know the difference all right!" exclaimed Erin. "Wouldn't they Leslie? These are the kind everybody is wearing." Leslie nodded in agreement.

"Well," said Mom, "the stores are closing, so we won't be getting any jeans today." Reluctantly the girls turned away from the window, and they all went out to the car.

"You know, girls, I was just thinking," said Mom as they drove home. "Brand names seem so important to kids, but are you aware that you have a name much more important than any brand name you'll find on jeans."

Erin and Leslie looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Mom?" asked Erin.

"Since you've trusted in Christ, you wear His name-the name 'Christian,'" explained Mom. "Brand names are really advertisements, and your lives should 'advertise' for Jesus. I wonder, can your friends tell that you wear Christ's name? Can mine?"

Erin frowned. "I . . . I don't know," she murmured. "I . . . I never really thought about it."

"Me, neither," said Leslie. "I guess we should, shouldn't we?"

Mom nodded. "I must admit that I don't think of it often
enough myself," said Mom, "but it's something we all should remember. Just
think-every day we wear the most important name of all, and people should be
able to see the difference He makes in our lives."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is "Christian" your label? It is if you know Jesus as your Savior. Let others see by your words and actions that you belong to Him-let them see that you love one another. Love is the greatest of all the characteristics that should be evident in your life. When you display God's love, your life will be a pleasing "advertisement" for Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hi, Jill," Carla greeted her friend at the church entrance. "I've been waiting for you and Shannon. Are you nervous?"

"Yeah," admitted Jill. "I could hardly sleep last night." The girls were excited because, for the first time, the three of them were going to sing a trio number in the morning service.

Just then Shannon's brother, Dave, walked by. "Where's Shannon?" both girls asked at once.

"You don't know?" Dave seemed surprised. "Our neighbors called yesterday and invited her to go camping at Trout Lake with them. She decided to go, and she won't be back until tomorrow. I thought she called you."

Carla and Jill looked at each other! "How could Shannon do this to us?" moaned Carla as they hurried to find Miss Andrews, the pianist.

"Oh, I'm sorry," sympathized Miss Andrews when Carla explained that Shannon wasn't coming, "but I think you should sing anyhow. Let's run over the song. I'm sure the two of you will sound fine together." So although they hadn't practiced as a duet before, the girls did sing.

"You sounded great!" several people told them after the service. "I hope you'll sing again sometime." But both Carla and Jill were still upset that Shannon had let them down.

On the way home, Carla complained about it. Mom nodded sympathetically. "It's too bad that happened," she said, "but don't keep dwelling on it. This won't be the last time someone lets you down. Let it remind you of how important it is to keep any commitment you make to others."

Dad nodded. "I'm afraid we're all tempted at times to let other people down, so remember this experience whenever you feel like backing out of something at the last minute," he advised. "Remember that God expects faithfulness from His servants. We owe it to Him and we owe it to others as well. If one person doesn't do his or her job, it hinders other people, too."

Carla sighed. "I know it will make me think twice before
I break a promise to do something," she said.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you take your responsibilities seriously? Or do you just not show up at the last minute if something better comes along? When you fail to do what you've promised, you're not being fair to those who are depending on you. Faithfulness is important in everyday living, not only to people, but also to God. Think about that every time you're tempted to not keep a commitment you've made to someone.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
It is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2