Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"What are you making, Mom?" asked Ben, looking at the cupboard as he came into the kitchen. He glanced around when nobody answered. "Oops! I hear Sammy crying," he murmured. "I guess Mom's gone to check on him."

He looked again at the things on the cupboard-flour, sugar, eggs, and a thick, delicious-looking chocolate bar! His eyes got big and round when he saw that candy bar. He felt like he just had to have a taste! Mom would let me taste it if she were here, he thought. I know she would. So Ben picked up the chocolate bar and took a small bite.

"Yuck!" exclaimed Ben, spitting out the chocolate just as Mom walked into the room. When she saw what he had done, she smiled wryly and handed him a napkin. "That's gross! What is it?" asked Ben, wiping his mouth with the napkin. "It looks like chocolate, but it's not!"

"That's baking chocolate," explained Mom. "It tastes bitter because it doesn't have sugar in it like a candy bar does."

"Well, it tastes terrible! You don't put that stuff in your cake, do you?" asked Ben.

Mom nodded. "When I make chocolate cake, I do, but I also add sugar and eggs and other things," she said. "When all of it's mixed together, it tastes delicious. You do like my cake, don't you?"

"Yeah, but I had no idea chocolate cake was made from yucky stuff like that," said Ben.

Mom smiled. "I can remember tasting bitter chocolate when I was a kid," she said, "and shortly after that, I read a story that compared the way it's used in baking to the way God works in our lives. The story pointed out that when the bitter and the sweet are mixed with other cake ingredients, the result is something good. In our lives, God takes all the things that happen to us and works them together for our good."

"So . . . even though we don't like everything that happens to us, we shouldn't complain, because God uses those things, mixed with all the other things we do, to make something good for us?" asked Ben.

Mom grinned. "You've got it!" she said. "That's something
you can remember every time you eat chocolate cake."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wonder why God allows "bad things" to happen? Recipes call for all kinds of ingredients to make a good product. And God allows many different experiences in your life and combines them to work out something good for you. So trust in His wisdom and goodness as you go through sickness and health, fun and heartache, ease and hardship, sunshine and rain. God loves you and works everything together for your good.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Isn't he pretty, Scott?" Jared asked his older brother as he held a yellow
and black goldfinch in his cupped hand. "I'm going to keep him."


Scott looked doubtful. "I think he's sick," replied Scott. "He didn't even
try to fly away when we got near him."


"He's not either sick!" objected Jared. "I know Mom will let me keep him in
the old bird cage. I'm going to call him Chirpie."


As the boys hurried home, Scott was certain something was wrong with the
small bird, but little Jared insisted God had given him Chirpie as a present.
"Oh, Mom, can I please keep him?" pleaded Jared as he showed the bird to his
mother.


"He's a beautiful bird, but he doesn't look very strong. I'm afraid Scott may
be right," said Mom softly, trying to help Jared understand.


"But I can pray, and God will make Chirpie better," insisted Jared.


"God can make him better, Jared," agreed Mom, "but He may not. You have to
realize that Chirpie might die."


Jared looked doubtful. "Then why did God give him to me, Mom?"


"Maybe it's because He needed a kind little boy to take care of Chirpie for a
few days while he was sick," suggested Mom. "Maybe God was looking for
someone-like you-with a big


heart to love this little bird." She paused as she prayed silently for a
moment. "Okay, Jared, I'll let you keep Chirpie, but you must agree to accept
God's timetable and the number of days He


allows you to have him."


"Okay," Jared nodded his head, "but I'm still going to ask God to let Chirpie
get well."


The next morning, Chirpie lay dead in his cage. "Mom, it looks like God gave
me Chirpie for only one day," Jared said sadly with tears in his eyes. "It hurts
that he died, but I'm glad God let me take care of him the last day he was
alive." Jared wiped away the tears.


Mom hugged Jared. "Accepting God's timetable is an important part of the
Christian life," she said. "We should learn to appreciate every moment God gives
us-even if it's just one day."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you had a pet that died? Or has someone in your family died? Learn to appreciate the time God has given you with that person or with that pet. Realize that He has a timetable for every life. Accept with thanksgiving each day and moment God gives to you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:14-15

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Mom as Dad turned the car into the driveway. "Look where they stacked the firewood! I told them to put it on the patio."

"Looks like you get to move the firewood, Justin," added Dad.

"Why me?" demanded Justin with a scowl. "Why do I get all the dirty jobs around here?"

"We all have work," said Dad. "Mom has to cook dinner, and I have to work on the car. That leaves you and Jennifer . . . and I don't think she can move all that wood." He grinned at his small daughter.

"Can too!" argued four-year-old Jennifer. And later, as Justin loaded his wagon with wood, she announced, "I'm gonna help you."

"Great!" answered Justin sarcastically as he started off with a load. "Wow! This is heavy!"

Jennifer quickly scooted behind the wagon, put her small hands out and started pushing. "See, Justin," she said. "I can help."

"Yeah," agreed Justin reluctantly. "That does help." They worked together, moving several loads. "Feels like that wood is gaining weight," Justin complained after they'd been working a while.

Dad looked up and grinned. "You have a hitchhiker!" he said.

When Justin turned around, he saw Jennifer sitting on top of the wood. "You get off right now, Jennifer!" ordered Justin.

"That's a good example of how much easier things are when everyone does his fair share," said Dad as he helped Jennifer get down. "God's plan for the family is for them to work together. When someone sits down on the job, it's harder for everyone else."

Grinning at his sister, Jason nodded. "She may be little,
but when she was helping instead of riding, it made the work a lot easier," he
agreed.




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you cheerfully help with the work in your home? Even if you're not very old, you can do something to help. Perhaps your mom or dad will show you how to sweep, dust, or pick up toys. Maybe you're one of the older kids and have more responsibilities than your little brother or sister. That's because you're able to pull a heavier load. God's plan is for everyone to do his share. Don't grumble about it. Be a good worker, not a hitchhiker.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, Mike invited me to go to the lake with his family on Sunday," said
Caleb. He hesitated. "Can I please go?" he asked. "I'm getting too big for
Sunday school anyway. That's kid stuff." He was


not surprised to see that his mother looked shocked. "Oh, never mind," he
grumbled as he reached for some potato chips and quickly left the room without
waiting for an answer.


While he watched a TV program, Caleb looked through a comic book Mike had
loaned him. When Mom went out to the yard, he went back to the kitchen to get
some cookies. He was still munching on them when Mom came to call him for
dinner.


At the table, Caleb wrinkled up his nose. "Pork chops again?" he asked. "I
don't want any. I don't want any carrots, either." He pointed to the cupboard
where a cake and some plates waited. "But I'll have a piece of that dessert," he
added.


"Not until you eat some meat and vegetables," said Dad sternly.


"But Dad! Why must I eat that stuff?" protested Caleb. "I'm not hungry."


"That's because you filled up on junk food," said Mom. "I said you could have
potato chips after school, but I saw that you helped yourself to cookies, too."
As she passed the meat, she added, "And I think that's exactly why you're not
enjoying Sunday school anymore."


Caleb snorted. "I don't like Sunday school because I eat potato chips and
cookies? Aw-w-w, Mom! You gotta be kidding!"


"More than once lately, I've had to tell you to stop feeding your mind with
junk food-TV programs, comic books, loud music," said Mom. "It's not that those
things are always bad, but when


you take in too much of them, I'm afraid all that mental junk food causes you
to turn up your nose at wholesome things that would help you. We're going to
work at keeping you healthy, both


spiritually and physically." She passed Caleb the vegetables. "We'll start
with these."


Dad nodded. "And after dinner you can read a good book or play a game," he
said. "And I heard there's a good kids' program on the radio at 7:30. We can
listen to it together."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you filling your mind with wholesome "food"? If you're filling it with mental junk food instead, change your eating habits before you become spiritually sick. Read God's Word. Listen carefully to your Sunday school teacher and your pastor. Spend time with other Christians. Take part in wholesome mental activities.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I have treasured the words of His (God's) mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12

[Soldier4Christ]

"Wow, Benji! I can't believe all the books you borrow from the library!" exclaimed Luke as his brother came into the house and put a stack of reading material on the table. "You must like to read a lot better than I do."

Mom entered the kitchen. "Reading is a good way to learn about other countries, various animals, or any number of things," she said.

"You can learn how to do things, too," said Benji. "Last year Dad built Rover's dog house from plans he found in a book about wood projects."

Mom smiled. "And where would I be if I had to cook without my recipe books?" she asked.

"Well, I do like reading some books," admitted Luke. "I like to read adventure stories, and I like books about science experiments."

"How about the Bible?" Mom suggested.

Benji nodded. "I like reading the stories we have in Sunday school," he said.

"Yeah, they're pretty interesting," agreed Luke, "especially those about the miracles Jesus did."

"How about the one where He used a little boy's lunch to feed five thousand people?" asked Benji with a grin. "That was cool!"

"Did you know that the Bible tells us only a few of the things that happened when Jesus was on earth?" asked Mom. "In fact, His disciple John suggests that the world can't even contain all the books that would have to be written if everything Jesus did was recorded."

Luke frowned. "Do you think that's true? That it really couldn't?" he asked. "That seems kind of odd to me."

Mom smiled. "Well, I imagine the account would have to begin with what happened even before the world was created," she said. "Jesus was involved in creation, you know. The first chapter of Colossians is one portion of Scripture that indicates that."

Benji grinned. "If everything Jesus ever did was written down, we'd have some huge library!" he exclaimed.

Luke grinned, too. "And that would keep you happy for a
long, long time!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you like to read books? Reading can be fun, and reading the Bible is the most important reading you can do. It teaches you about God, the Lord Jesus, and the plan of salvation. God has many things to say to you. Even the oldest Christian will tell you he's still learning as he continues to read and study the Bible.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
All Scripture . . . is profitable for doctrine . . . reproof . . . correction . . . instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

[Soldier4Christ]

Tim was excited as he skated out onto the ice for his first hockey practice.
I'm glad I've been skating since I was just a little kid, he thought. I'm
already a good skater, so it shouldn't take me long to learn to play hockey.


After giving the boys some exercises and watching them skate for a while,
Coach Thomas called them together. "We're going to practice hitting the puck,"
he said. Tim was eager to try it.


SMACK! Tim's stick hit the ice hard. THUMP! His feet went out from under him
and down he went. "Try again, Tim," called Coach as he skated over. "Put your
hands on the stick like this." Tim followed the coach's directions and managed
to hit the puck a short distance.


By the end of the practice time, he was discouraged. "I thought playing on a
hockey team would be easier since I already could skate good," he told his dad,
who had been watching them practice.


"You are a good skater, Tim," said Dad, "and with practice, I'm sure you'll
do well at hockey, too. You just need to learn to handle that hockey stick."


Tim practiced each day after school. "I'm getting pretty good with my hockey
stick!" he told Dad a few days later.


"Great!" said Dad, who was preparing to teach a Sunday school lesson. "I knew
you could do it. By the way, are you getting pretty good with your 'sword,'
too?"


"My sword?" asked Tim. "What sword?"


Dad smiled and held up a Bible. "This one," he said. "God's Word is called
the 'sword of the Spirit.' It's even more important to practice using this than
it is to practice using your hockey equipment." Dad handed the Bible to Tim. "I
know you learn your memory verses for Bible Club," he added, "but don't just
memorize them. Use them. Think about what they say regarding friends,
witnessing, obedience, sin-any number of things-and practice doing what they
teach."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you play baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, a musical instrument-or something else that takes practice? You need to practice using the equipment needed for those activities, of course, but don't neglect the special equipment God offers for you to use in fighting against Satan. Your Bible is your "sword." Study it to defeat Satan as you depend on God to help you put what it teaches into practice in your daily life.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"It looks like these tomatoes will be just perfect for the fair next week," noted Mom. "You certainly have worked hard in this garden, honey."

Kara smiled. "It was fun most of the time," she said as she moved the hose. "I wonder how Becky is doing on the quilt she's making for the sewing exhibit."

"I'd like to see it sometime," said Mom, picking up a weed she had pulled from the garden. "She's such a sweet girl. Has she enjoyed coming to Sunday school with us?"

"I think so," replied Kara. "I wish she'd get saved, though! I thought if she heard Mrs. Carson explain about Jesus, she'd trust Him as her Savior."

"The Bible says that every time we tell someone about Jesus, it's like planting a seed," answered Mom. "Do you remember planting the vegetable seeds and then waiting for them to start growing?"

Kara nodded. "Some seeds sprouted almost right away," she remembered, "but others didn't come up for days-even weeks! I beginning to wonder if some of them ever would."

"You didn't stop watering them though, did you?" asked Mom.

Kara shook her head. "No way!" she exclaimed. "After all the work of planting them, I wasn't going to give up so quickly! But some sure took a long time to get started."

"It's like that when we plant the seed of the Gospel, too," Mom told her. "Sometimes we see people come to Jesus almost right away. Other times it doesn't happen so quickly. Our task is to keep watering those Gospel seeds by continuing to witness to our unsaved friends-and to pray for them."

"So we need to keep on telling Becky about Jesus and taking her along to Sunday school, right?" asked Kara. "And keep praying for her, too."

"Right," agreed Mom. "We need to trust God to cause the
seeds of the Gospel that have been planted in her life to eventually sprout and
grow. He's the only one who can do that."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been witnessing to someone? Have you become discouraged because that person hasn't accepted Jesus as Savior yet? Don't give up! Keep at it! Plant and water the seeds of the Gospel by continuing to talk about Jesus and to influence that person to yield to Him. Do your part, and God will do His. Trust Him to cause those seeds you've planted to eventually grow!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6

[Soldier4Christ]

Amber kept thinking about the Scripture her father had read that morning. It was about being a servant of God. She knew Dad was a servant of Jesus Christ because he was a preacher. And Uncle Robert and Aunt Clara were His servants, too-they were missionaries. But I'm only eight. How can somebody my age, be God's servant? she wondered.

Amber's thoughts were interrupted by her teacher's voice. "Who will stay in during recess and help me with the bulletin board?" Mrs. Powell asked. Amber had been looking forward to jumping rope with the other girls, but when no one else volunteered to help Mrs. Powell, she raised her hand. I'll jump rope at noon recess, she thought. But at noon, Mandy asked Amber to stay inside and help her with spelling. Oh, well, thought Amber, I can play at afternoon recess. So she stayed in to study with her friend.

When Amber arrived home after school, Mom was relieved to see her. "Oh Amber, I'm so glad you're here," said Mom. "Amy is running a high fever, and I need you to stay with Davie while I take her to the doctor's office. Davie's asleep, and Mrs. Scott said to bring him next door to her if he wakes up." Amber sighed, but she stayed with her little brother while Mom was gone.

Amber didn't have much time to play that evening, either. After dinner, she washed the dishes. Then she rocked Amy while her mother put Davie to bed.

It was after the toys were picked up and all was quiet that Amber again wondered how she could be a servant of God. "Mom, how can I serve God?" she asked. "Daddy's a preacher; Uncle Robert and Aunt Clara are missionaries; you're the church organist; but I'm not anything. What can I do to serve Jesus?"

Mom hugged her daughter. "Oh, Amber honey, you are serving Him!" she exclaimed. "The Bible teaches that one way to serve God is to serve others. Helping with chores around the house-and with Amy and Davie-is serving God."

Amber was surprised. "It is?"

Mom nodded. "It certainly is," she said. "I've talked
with your teacher, too, and from what she says, I know you also serve God by
helping at school. You're definitely one of His servants."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to serve God? Do you think you're too young to be His servant? You're wrong. One way to serve Him is to help people, and you're old enough to do that. What can you do for someone today? Can you help with chores? Mow somebody's lawn? Run errands? Read a story to a smaller child? Think of a way to be a helper-and then do it! When you serve others, you're serving God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40

[Soldier4Christ]

Brandon wandered into his room. He didn't feel like playing. As he sat down on his bed, a little red truck caught his eye, and he picked it up. It had been Joey's favorite. Joey! Brandon closed his eyes. Pictures of his little brother flashed through his mind. There was the day Mom and Dad and Joey had gone to see a doctor. The time Mom had put her arms around him and explained that Joey had a very serious illness. The days Joey had to spend in the hospital for treatments. Joey, growing thinner and more pale. Then came the day Joey went to the hospital and never returned. And just last week . . . his funeral followed by a graveside service.

"Brandon," called Dad, "want to come help me rake the yard?"

Brandon slowly got up and went to help. He and Dad worked in silence for a while. Then, his voice quavering, Brandon said, "Dad, I miss Joey so much. Sometimes I don't know how I can stand it!"

"I know, Son-we all miss him," said Dad. He reached over to put an arm around Brandon's shoulder. "Let me give you a word picture that helps me. Maybe it will help you, too." He leaned on his rake. "Remember last year when we grew that big patch of potatoes?" he asked. "One afternoon, we all worked together to dig them up and get them sacked before winter. Remember what hard work that was?"

Brandon nodded, and Dad continued to explain. "When Mom went in to fix supper, you and Joey and I stayed out to finish. We were cold, tired, and hungry. But as we looked at the house, we could see the warm lights shining out into the gathering darkness."

"Yeah," agreed Brandon, "and we thought of the good hot meal Mom would have ready for us when our work was done. That made it easier to keep going."

"Right, and that's kind of the way I feel right now," said Dad. "We miss Joey, and it hurts so much. But we know he's finished his work on earth and now he's safe in his heavenly home. We still have work to do here, but when it's done, we'll all be back together."

"It's like we have to finish our work for God and then go
home for supper, right?" asked Brandon. "Okay, Dad. I'll try to remember
that."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did someone you know finish his work on earth and go home to heaven? When your earthly job is done, will you have a home in heaven, too? Are you sure? You can be! Jesus died to make that possible. Trust Him for salvation today! Then you can also look forward to the day you'll join your loved ones who finished their work ahead of you and have already gone to be with Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
In My Father's house are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

[Soldier4Christ]

". . . and please help the people at Westside Mission find enough workers to help serve the Thanksgiving dinner," prayed Sherry. "Amen." Dad added his "amen," ending the day's family devotions time.

"I've been thinking," said Mom later that evening. "Maybe our family could volunteer to help at Westside Mission this Thanksgiving."

"What!" exclaimed Sherry. "I don't want to spend Thanksgiving there! What about our own turkey dinner?"

"I think we could work that in, too," said Mom. "Let's think about it."

"I am thinking about it, and I think it's a rotten idea," muttered Sherry. She stood up. "Mom, since we didn't have dessert for supper tonight, can I make a cake for our snack later this evening?" she asked.

"Do you think you can make one from scratch?" asked Mom. "We don't have any cake mixes."

"I can do it," Sherry assured her mother, and she eagerly set to work. She mixed flour and sugar and salt. She stirred in egg and oil and milk. Finally she poured the batter into a cake pan and put it in the oven.

Before long, the delicious smell of the baking cake filled the room. When the buzzer sounded, signalling that the cake was done, Sherry went to get it out. "Mom, my cake looks done, but it's so . . .  so flat!" she exclaimed. "It didn't rise!"

Mom came to look. "I think you must have forgotten the baking powder," she said.

"Oh, no," groaned Sherry. "We can't eat this."

"No," agreed Mom. She looked thoughtful. "It reminds me a little of you."

"Me!" exclaimed Sherry. "Why?"

"Well, there's something missing in this cake and also in your attitude," said Mom. "You stirred the cake ingredients, but you didn't mix in the thing that brings 'action' into the batter. And you prayed for helpers at the mission, but you're not willing to mix actions with the words you spoke."

Sherry was startled. "I didn't think about that," she said.

"Give it some more thought," suggested Mom, giving Sherry
a hug. "The Bible says faith without action to back it up is as useless as this
flat, inedible cake."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you want to see good things happen? Do you do what you can to make them happen? Or is it too much trouble? God wants to use your hands and feet to show His love. Maybe you don't have the opportunity of helping at a mission, but what about helping at home? What about witnessing to a friend? What about being friendly and kind to a new student? Don't just say you love God; show it. Look for opportunities to show your faith in God by pleasing Him in the way you act.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17

[Soldier4Christ]

"I can hardly wait to get to the lake!" exclaimed Tamara as she sat down with her family for breakfast. An outing at the beach was planned for the day.

Tamara led in the prayer before they ate. "Dear Jesus," she prayed, "bless this food. Give us good weather, and a good time, and don't let the waves be too high. Give us safety. And please keep Jeremy from being fussy. Amen." When she finished, Dad looked thoughtful as he helped himself to scrambled eggs.

After breakfast, they all piled into the car-Mom and Dad, Tamara, her brother Amos, and little Jeremy. Soon they were enjoying the sun and sand.

The children hadn't been swimming very long before they were interrupted by loud squawking. A little way down the beach, several sea gulls were fighting over food they had found on the ground. Each one clamored to get as much as he could for himself. "I think those birds must be hungry," said Tamara. "I wish we could feed them, don't you, Amos? What could we give them, Mom?"

Mom reached into the picnic basket. "Here, kids," she said. "Offer them some of these crackers."

Tamara and Amos crumbled the crackers as they walked down the beach. When they threw some to the sea gulls, they were immediately surrounded by screeching birds who quickly gobbled up the pieces and squealed for more. They edged closer to the children, practically grabbing crackers out of their fingers. Amos didn't like the commotion and hurried back to his mother, but Tamara continued to feed the birds. "I think they like me," she shouted happily. However, when the crackers were gone, the birds were gone, too, looking elsewhere for another handout.

"Oh, Daddy, it wasn't me the sea gulls liked!" Tamara exclaimed sadly. "They just wanted crackers! They're selfish! When they got what they wanted, they left!"

Dad nodded. "I'm afraid we're sometimes like sea gulls,"
he said. He smiled at her puzzled look. "We're often more interested in what we
can get than in the one who gives us a gift," he explained. "That's true even
when it comes to God. Our prayers often contain more words like 'give me' than
words like 'thank you.' We should be very thankful for Jesus, Himself, not just
the blessings He gives us."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever prayed a prayer of thanksgiving without asking for anything? Have you ever simply said, "Jesus, I love You"? He wants to hear your requests, but sometimes you should just give Him your praise. He deserves it. Why not stop for a moment right now to tell Him about a few things for which you are thankful and also to tell Him you love Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Be thankful to Him (God), and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

[Soldier4Christ]

"Hey, Matt!" called Bill from the other side of the playground. "Where were you last night? I called your house at least six times, but you weren't home. I wanted to know if you could go to the mall."

"Oh, well . . . we were out," Matt mumbled. He didn't want to tell Bill he had been at church. They were having a missionary conference, and Matt enjoyed the speakers-but he was sure Bill wouldn't understand! He'd only laugh.

"How about tonight?" Bill asked. "They've got a new game at the video arcade. I tried it a couple of times, and it's a blast!"

"Well . . . um . . . we're . . . ah . . . I'm going to be busy again tonight," Matt stammered. The conference would last all week, and Matt knew his family would be attending each night.

"Tomorrow night then?" asked Bill.

"We're . . . ah. . . I-I-I . . ." stuttered Matt. "Well . . . I'm busy all week."

"What do you do every night?" asked Bill. "No one goes out that much! How can you be so busy?"

Again Matt hesitated. He could imagine Bill's response to the news that he'd be going to church every night. Then Matt thought of something. Here I am . . . going to a missionary conference and praying for the missionaries to reach more people for Jesus, but I don't even have enough nerve to admit to one of my best friends that I'm going to church! Matt knew something was wrong with that picture, and he knew what to do about it!   

"Bill," he began, "we're having a . . . ah . . . a missionary conference at church, and our entire family goes. I really like the meetings. Missionaries are interesting speakers."

 Bill stared at him. "You're going to church every night? And you don't mind?" he asked. "I don't believe it!"

"It's true," insisted Matt. "The speakers have some
really good stories and . . . Hey! Maybe you'd like to come,
too!"




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do your friends know you go to church? Do you tell them about Jesus? Or are you afraid to let them know what you believe? Jesus should be most the important person in your life. Don't feel embarrassed to talk about Him. Look for opportunities to tell your friends about your relationship with the Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation. Romans 1:16

[Soldier4Christ]

Carl stared as his uncle answered a question Dad had asked. Why does Uncle
Frank move his eyebrows up and down while he's talking? wondered Carl. It looks
awful funny! After a moment, Carl ventured a question of his own. "Are you glad
to be back from the mission field?" he asked.


Uncle Frank looked right at Carl and raised his eyebrows a few times as he
spoke. "Yes, it's good to get back to America," he said, "but we do miss the
people we've been working with. The small church we started means a lot to the
new Christians in that area."


After dinner, Carl and his sister Ann cleared the table while the grownups
talked. "Did you notice Uncle Frank's eyebrows?" asked Carl when he and Ann were
in the kitchen. "Ask him why he does that."


"You mean the way he moves them up and down when he's answering questions?"
Ann asked. "Maybe it's a nervous habit-but Aunt Meg does it sometimes, too. You
ask about it-it wouldn't be rude, would it?"


"I don't think so," said Carl, so after they passed dessert, he finally asked
the question. "Why . . . ah . . . why do you raise your eyebrows when you
talk?"


Uncle Frank laughed out loud. "Have I been doing that?" he asked. "In the
village where we work, that's how the people say yes, and now I do it without
thinking. When a missionary goes to another country, he not only has to learn a
new language, but new gestures as well."


"That must have been hard!" exclaimed Ann.


"Many things the people did seemed strange and difficult at first," agreed
Uncle Frank, "but we expected that. After all, we were in their country and
certainly couldn't expect them to do things our way."


Aunt Meg nodded. "We remembered that the Apostle Paul had to adjust to the
people he worked with, and we knew we had to do that, too. That was okay. We
knew we were where God wanted us. Besides, now we love the people there, and we
love the work God gave us to do. We think we have the best job in the whole
world!"


"Yes," agreed Uncle Frank, "and we want to thank you for your part in
reaching our people, too. Thanks for praying for us and for
them."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know any missionaries? They sometimes face many difficulties in a foreign country with different languages, gestures, food, and customs. They may also face loneliness, sickness, and fearful situations. Learn as much as you can about your missionaries, and don't forget to pray for them. With the support of your prayers and encouragement, the Lord will greatly bless them and use them as they do the work He sent them to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Praying... that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel. Ephesians 6:18-19

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, tell Keith to stop," said Susan as she came in the back door with her little brother following her.

"Keith, are you teasing your sister again?" Mom asked.

"No," replied Keith with his thumb in his mouth.

"He is, too!" Susan stomped her foot. "Every time I move, he moves the same way I do. He repeats almost everything I say, too. I can't do anything without having him copy me. It's so irritating!"

"I'm sorry it bothers you, honey," said Mom. "I don't think he does that to tease you, though. It shows that he loves you-he wants to be like you."

Susan looked at little Keith. "He does?" she asked.

Mom nodded. "Actually, it should please you," she said.

"Well . . ." Susan hesitated. "I suppose so."

"Did you know someone wants you to imitate Him?" asked Mom.

"Who?" asked Susan. She couldn't imagine who that could be. "Dad?"

"No, Jesus does," Mom told her. "He set an example for you and asked that you follow Him and do as He did." Mom smiled at Susan. "Start reading the four Gospels-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John-and see how Jesus responded to people and what He said about things. As you find  various characteristics of Jesus, write them down so you can remember them and practice them."

"Sounds like a lot of work," said Susan.

"Yes, but you probably already know many of them," said Mom. "Can you think of any?"

"Ah . . . He was patient," began Susan. "He said we should forgive each other."

"Good start," approved Mom, "and I'm sure you'll find many more. Maybe you'd like to pick one of them and especially practice that one for a week or two. It should soon become a habit for you. Then you could pick another."

"Well, okay . . . I'll try it," agreed Susan. She thought
for a moment. Then she grinned. "I already know which characteristic I'm going
to work on first," she said as she grabbed hold of her little brother's hand.
"Jesus loves little children. So come on, Keith. Let's go play outside some
more."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you follow Jesus' example? It's a way to show that you really love Him. Maybe you'd like to read through the Gospels, too, and see how many characteristic of Jesus you can find. As you read, remember that Jesus "practiced what He preached."  When He says you should forgive or to love others, you know He does that, too. To be more like Him, which characteristic will you especially work on first? Depend on the Holy Spirit to work in your life as you follow Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13:15

[Soldier4Christ]

Mindy pulled a chair next to her mother, who was cleaning desk drawers. "What's that, Mommy?" asked Mindy, pointing to an old book of blank checks.

"Some old checks that aren't good for anything-that account is closed," Mom replied. "Here . . . you can play with them while we finish these drawers. Then we'll rip them up and throw them away." She showed Mindy how to write a check and pretend to be paying someone a lot of money.

They both looked up as Steve came into the room. "I was next door, talking to Mr. Wilson," said Steve. "He sure has a lot of problems!"

Mom nodded. "Yes, he does," she agreed. "Sadly, he doesn't believe God is concerned about his problems. He says God gave him sense enough to take care of himself, and it's up to him to do it."

Mindy tore a page from the checkbook. "Here, Steve. You can buy a new bike," she announced. "Here's a check for a thousand dollars. Is that enough?"

Steve grinned as he looked at the scribbling on the check. He quickly dropped it and shook his fingers. "Ouch! That burns!" he teased.

Mindy looked puzzled. "It's not hot," she said.

Steve laughed as Mom explained. "Before you can get money from a bank checking account, you have to put money into it," she said. "If a check is written without money in the bank, it's called a 'hot' check." Mom looked at Steve. "In a way, having faith is a little like having a bank account."

"What do you mean?" asked Steve.

"We could say we start a 'faith account' when we accept Jesus by putting faith in Him for salvation," replied Mom. "That's most important, of course."

"But how do we add more faith to our account?" asked Steve.

"Well, our faith increases as we get to know God better through reading His Word, going to church, and seeing how He works in the lives of others-and in our own," explained Mom. "We should be learning to trust Him more and more."

"Mr. Wilson has never put faith in God," Steve said slowly, "and that's why he doesn't have any faith to draw on when he needs it, right?"

   Mom nodded. "Let's keep telling him about the Lord," she
said, "and pray that he'll start a 'faith account' of his
own."




HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a "faith account"? You start one when you first put your faith in Jesus Christ and trust Him as your Savior. Have you done that? If not, do it today. Hebrews 11 is called the great "faith chapter" of the Bible. Why not read all of it and be encouraged as you see how God helped those who had faith in Him. Ask Him to increase your faith so you will also be ready to enjoy blessings and face problems as they come.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
A man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28