Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

As Paul helped his grandfather in the garden one day, he decided to ask Grandpa about something that was puzzling him. "My Sunday school teacher says God is a Trinity-that there's God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, but they're all one," said Paul. "I sure find it hard to understand how God can be three different persons and still be only one."

Grandpa nodded. "That is hard to understand," he agreed, picking up a package of radish seeds, "but it's certainly taught in the Bible." He handed the package to Paul. "Want to plant these for me?"

"Sure," agreed Paul. He looked up at the cloudy sky as he opened the package. "It's so dark today. I wish the sun would come out," he said. As he began to sow the tiny seeds, he returned to the subject that was bothering him. "Can you explain the Trinity, Grandpa?"

Grandpa looked up with a smile. "You just mentioned the sun, Paul, and it's a pretty good illustration of the Trinity," he said.

"You mean the sun up in the sky?" asked Paul.

"Right," agreed Grandpa. "First of all, it illustrates God the Father. Tell me . . . has anyone ever seen the sun?"

"Sure," replied Paul. "We see it almost every day."

"Wrong!" objected Grandpa. "No one has really seen that great ball we call the sun-not even astronomers can look at it without protecting their eyes. What we see is light from the sun, right?"

"I guess that's true," agreed Paul. "But I don't see the connection between that and God the Father."

"The Bible says no one has seen God the Father," explained Grandpa. "He is so great and glorious that human beings cannot look upon Him. Although we can't see Him, we know about Him through the Bible and through nature."

As Paul continued to sprinkle radish seeds in the shallow ditch he had drawn in the dirt, he thought about Grandpa's explanation. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly. "Okay. I can see that the sun is an illustration of God the Father. But what about the other two parts of the Trinity?"

"I'll get to those in a minute," replied Grandpa. "First, let's water the area we've planted."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have trouble believing in God because you can't see Him? You can't actually see the sun, either, but you certainly don't doubt the evidence proving that it exists. There's much evidence proving that God exists, too-evidence in nature (see Psalm 19), in the testimony and teaching of Jesus (John 1:18) and in lives changed by the power of God. Even though you can't understand everything about God, you can believe what the Bible teaches about Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
No one has seen God at any time. John 1:18

[Soldier4Christ]

As Paul turned on the faucet and pulled the hose over to the garden, the clouds parted to let the sun shine through. "Look, Grandpa!" he exclaimed. "Here comes the sun!"

Keeping a very serious look on his face, Grandpa glanced around the garden. "Do you mean that big ball in the sky is coming right down here?" he asked.

Paul laughed. "Oh, Grandpa," he said, "you know what I mean. Like you said, it's the sunshine that we see-the sunlight."

Grandpa chuckled. "Right," he agreed, "and when you realize that, it can help you understand how the sun illustrates the second part of the Trinity."

"What do you mean?" Paul asked.

Grandpa dropped to the grass under a nearby tree. "Let's take a little break," he said, motioning for Paul to join him. "Now . . . remember what we said a few minutes ago about not being able to see God?"

"Sure," said Paul thoughtfully. "Just like we don't actually see the sun, we don't see God the Father."

"Right. We don't see the sun, but light comes down from the sun, and we see that," responded Grandpa. "No one sees God the Father, but Jesus-Who is God the Son-came down to earth from the Father. Men did see Him. He is the 'light of the world,' and we learn about God by getting to know Jesus."

"Okay. I think I'm beginning to see what you mean," said Paul slowly.

"We use the word 'sun' for both the heavenly body and for the light that comes from it. In a sense, they're one-they're the same thing," continued Grandpa. "God the Father and God the Son are also one. We call both 'God,' for both are God."

"So . . . that takes care of one being two and two being one," said Paul "but if God is a Trinity, there's still a third part to explain."

Grandpa nodded as he pulled himself to his feet with a grunt. "Well, sitting here doesn't get the garden watered," he said. "Let's get at it, and we'll talk about it while we work."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you think of Jesus do you think of a good man? Or a good friend? He's all of that-but also much, much more. He is God! When you learn great and wonderful things about Him, you are learning about God. Most wonderful of all is the fact that Jesus gives you the opportunity to become a child of God. Because He is God, He was able to take the punishment you deserve. You need to simply trust in Him as your Savior from sin.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
(Jesus said) I and My Father (God) are one. John 10:30

[Soldier4Christ]

"Let's take the hose over to the end of the garden," suggested Grandpa, "and start watering there."

"Okay," agreed Paul. They went to the far end, and Paul began to give the ground a gentle spray of water. "This will help the seeds sprout," he said confidently.

"You bet," agreed Grandpa. As he reached over and smoothed some dirt with a rake, he asked, " Do you remember the garden we planted last year?"

"Sure do!" exclaimed Paul. "We had the best radishes and carrots and beans in the whole neighborhood. It was fun to watch everything grow."

"Besides water, what else was needed to make the plants in the garden grow?" asked Grandpa.

"Ah . . . oh, I know. They needed the sun," replied Paul. "That's what people say, anyway."

"And they're right," agreed Grandpa. "Of course, neither the sun nor the sunlight actually touch the seeds in the ground. It's the power of the sun that helps them sprout and then helps plants grow. That power is very distinct from the actual sun and from the sunlight-yet it is one with them. And when we speak of the sun's power, we say 'the sun,' for it is the sun."

"Wow, that's kind of hard to understand," said Paul, "but I bet you're going to say the Holy Spirit is like the power of the sun, right?"

Grandpa chuckled. "You're catching on," he said, "and yes, you're right about what I'm going to say. The Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and God the Son. He is God the Holy Spirit. He quietly works in our hearts, unseen and often unnoticed, but He has a very real and important part in every life. For those of us who are Christians, He's our teacher, He's our guide, and He gives us the power we need to live for God. For the unsaved person, it's the Holy Spirit who makes him realize he's a sinner and needs to accept Jesus."

Turning off the hose, Paul looked at his grandfather with a grin. "You should have been a preacher, Grandpa," he said. "You're always so good at helping me understand the Bible."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know much about the third person of the Trinity-the Holy Spirit? If you're not a Christian, He is prompting you to trust Jesus as Savior. If you already know Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in you and helps you understand spiritual truths. He convicts you of sin when you stray from the path God wants you to take. He comforts and encourages you when trials come. It's wonderful to know He's always with you, because He-the Holy Spirit-is God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Acts 5:3-4)
Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit . . . You have not lied to men but to God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Guess who's coming to our house today," said Cathy as she and her friend Julie walked to school together. Cathy's eyes were bright with excitement.

 "I don't know. Who?" asked Julie. She laughed. "It must be somebody important. I don't know when I've seen you so excited."

 "Oh, Julie," squealed Cathy, "do you remember the book Miss Clark read to our class a few weeks ago-the one about the orange elephant?"

Julie nodded. "Sure, I remember. That was a fun book! But tell me who's coming to your house . . . the orange elephant?"

 "Almost!" Cathy laughed. "No, it's Martha Briggs-the lady who wrote the book! My mom knew her in college, but she wasn't married then, so her name was Martha Albert. Mom didn't realize it was the same Martha until . . ."

 "Wait a minute," Julie interrupted. "You mean the author of The Orange Elephant is coming to your house? Your mother actually knows her?"

 "Yep," bubbled Cathy, "and Mom says you can come over and meet her while she's here! She said you can come for supper if you like."

 "Really?" asked Julie. "Wow! I'll have to ask my mother, but I'm sure she'll say it's okay."

After school, Julie hurried home to ask if she could go to Cathy's house for supper. "Mrs. Briggs and Cathy's mother were friends long ago," said Julie as she told her mother about the invitation. "Isn't that cool? I wish I knew an author, too."

Mom smiled. "You do Julie-one who is even more important than Mrs. Briggs. And you have a copy of His book."

 Julie couldn't believe it! "Whose book?" she asked. "I don't know the author of any of my books."

 "Sure you do," Mom told her with a smile. "You have a Bible, and God is the author of the Bible. You know Him, don't you?"

 Julie laughed. "I never would have thought of that," she said, "but it's true, isn't it?" She giggled. "I'm sure Cathy hasn't thought of it, either. She'll be surprised when I tell her I know an author, too!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you acquainted with any authors? You are if the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior! Through the Holy Spirit, God told men (such as Moses, Paul, and John) what to write in the Bible, so it is God, not man, who is really the author of the Bible. And He wrote it especially for you! Do you read it? Do you do as it says? Next time you pick it up to read, think of it as a message from God telling you something He wants you to know.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21

[Soldier4Christ]

Robert and his friend Mitch, who had come for a weekend visit, hurried to the dinner table. "Yummy! Spaghetti and meatballs!" exclaimed Robert.

"All right!" added Mitch. " I love meatballs!" After Dad thanked God for the food, both boys ate heartily.

"Can we be excused and go play outside?" asked Robert when both had finished.

"Sure," agreed Mom, and out they went.

Soon Mitch began to feel sick. He sat down on the porch steps while Robert went to get his mother. "My skin itches, and it's kinda hard to breathe," said Mitch. "I'm allergic to eggs. I was supposed to tell you-Mom wasn't sure if she'd mentioned it. I feel like I do when I've eaten them, but I didn't have any eggs."

"No, but you ate quite a few meatballs," said Robert's mom. "I always put eggs in them."

"Mom used to do that, too, and I wondered if I should eat them," admitted Mitch. "They looked so good, I decided to take a chance." He stood up. "I have my medicine with me-I'll go take some." He did, and soon he felt much better.

The next morning, the boys decided it would be fun to go skating. "Isn't there a roller rink near here?" asked Mitch.

"Yeah," said Robert, "but I've never been there. I don't think Dad thinks much of that place."

Dad shook his head when the boys asked about it. "It would be fine if they'd play decent music," he said, "but they play only hard rock, so we prefer you don't go."

"Aw, Dad," protested Robert, "we don't listen to the words anyway. We just want to skate."

But Dad remained firm. "Remember the problem Mitch had when he ate meatballs that had eggs in them?" he asked.

"I sure do," said Mitch. "Those eggs are like poison to me. I still itch a little."

Dad nodded. "It reminds me of times when we want to do something and we're tempted to overlook the part of the activity that could hurt us. If we have to 'swallow poison,' it's just not worth it."

"That's for sure," agreed Mitch as he rubbed his itchy skin.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there an activity that looks like fun, but something about it is wrong? Are you tempted to do it anyway? Or do you avoid it, realizing that it can affect your whole life? There are many wholesome activities that you can enjoy without going against God's standards. Search them out, and spend your time on them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 1 Corinthians 5:6

[Soldier4Christ]

Jack lifted his binoculars just as his father came out the door. "Hey, Son! What are you looking at?" Dad asked.

"A bird I didn't recognize just flew into that tree," Jack answered, pointing to a tall maple. "I thought it might be one of those dumb cuckoos."

"I doubt that," said Dad. "I don't believe we have any cuckoos around here."

"We've been learning about them at school," said Jack. "They're too lazy to build their own nest, hatch their own eggs, or feed their babies." He scowled. "I wonder why God made them in the first place."

Dad smiled. "I'm sure He had a reason. Maybe it was for our example."

"Our example!" Jack exclaimed. "Do you mean they're an example of what not to be? That we shouldn't be lazy like them or make someone else do the work we're supposed to do?"

Dad laughed. "Well, that's a good negative example, but I was thinking of something else," he said. "You've already mentioned that cuckoos get out of raising their own babies. They turn that job over to another bird-a sparrow, for example, who hatches the eggs and feeds the baby cuckoos and takes care of them. But when a little cuckoo gets big enough to fly, does it join the sparrows and act and sing like them?"

"No, I don't think so," Jack answered. "It's not changed. It's still a cuckoo, not a sparrow." He grinned. "I guess only God could change a cuckoo," he added, "and I don't think He's going to do that, do you?"

Dad shook his head. "That's like people," he said. "Kids may be raised in a Christian home and be fed the Word of God at home or in church by a pastor or teacher. But living with Christians and learning things from the Bible doesn't make them Christians. However, they can be changed-but only by God."

"I see what you're saying," replied Jack. "When we trust Jesus as Savior, He changes us."

"That's right," said Dad, "and He's the only one who can do that."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been changed? Or have you thought you were automatically a Christian because your parents are-or because you go to Sunday school and learn Bible verses? It doesn't happen that way. You need to be changed, and only God can change you. Only He can take away your sin, accept you into His family, and make you pure and ready for heaven. He does that when you put your faith and trust in Him. It's your choice. Trust in Him today.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"Do we have to have family devotions tonight?" asked Corbin after supper. He was quite sure his parents wouldn't agree to his request, but he figured it was worth a try. "The guys are waiting for me to play ball," he explained weakly. "Besides, we went to church just yesterday, so can I be excused? Just this one time?"

Dad looked at Corbin thoughtfully. "True, we did go to church yesterday," he said, "but I often think that reading and studying the Bible-either in family or personal devotions-is a little like having mid-flight refueling."

"Having what?" asked Corbin.

Dad smiled. "When I flew with the Air National Guard, our fighter planes got thoroughly checked over and fueled up at the airfield, but they were often refueled in the air, too," he explained. "It was quite interesting. We'd be 20,000 feet up in the air, and fighter jets would maneuver just 25 feet below us. Then the operator aboard the tanker would carefully lower the boom from the underside of the plane and position it to connect with the jet while we were flying at speeds of 400 to 500 miles per hour."

"Wow!" Corbin's mouth dropped open in amazement. "I didn't know that!"

"Refueling the planes in mid-flight kept them going," said Dad, "and I think Christians need to refuel spiritually, too. We get a checkup and get fueled up on Sunday as we hear God's Word preached and explained, but that's not enough. So we have devotions every day-even if we've been to church recently. God made us to need time with Him, and He wants our fellowship, too."

"Okay, I think I get it," agreed Corbin with a sigh. "It's spiritual mid-flight refueling time, right?" He got the family Bible from the shelf and handed it to his dad. "But . . ." Corbin added with a grin, "do you think we could get this refueling done before it gets too dark to play ball?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been getting mid-flight refueling? Does your interest in serving the Lord seem to run down by the end of the week? Do you remember what kinds of attitudes and actions please God? Take time each day to "refuel" spiritually by reading your Bible, thinking about what it says, and talking with the Lord. Ask Him to help you practice the things He teaches you in His Word.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Through Your precepts I get understanding. Psalm 119:104

[Soldier4Christ]

A smiling young lady approached the Adams family. "My name is Joanna," she said, "and I'll be your waitress tonight. Are you ready to order?"

"I think we know what we want," replied Dad.

The waitress jotted down each order and then walked back to the kitchen. Before long, they were enjoying a delicious meal.

"Why are those girls called waitresses?" Ashley asked as they finished dessert.

"Because you wait while they bring you the food," Peter answered.

Mom smiled. "Actually, to 'wait' sometimes means to 'serve.' That's what waitresses-or waiters-do. They serve the customers who come in to eat."

"I learned a Bible verse that says, 'Wait on the Lord,'" said Ashley. "That's . . ."

"Wait on God?" interrupted Peter. "We can't serve meals to Him."

"To 'wait on the Lord,' generally means we are to be patient and trust Him," explained Dad, "but I think He'd be pleased for us to apply that verse to our lives in a different way, too. Like you said, we can't serve the Lord meals, but we can serve Him by serving others." He smiled as he picked up the check. "Do you think Joanna has been a good waitress?" he asked, taking out his wallet. Everyone nodded. "I agree," said Dad. "What makes people good waitresses or waiters?"

"They need to bring you exactly what you ask for," Peter answered promptly. "Did you notice those people at that table near the door? They weren't very happy when their waitress brought them the wrong salads."

"They need to be quick, too," Ashley added. "When we asked for ketchup, Joanna brought it right away."

"And would quickly doing what God says help us be good servants of God?" asked Dad.

Peter grinned and nodded. "I'm sure it would," he said.

Dad smiled. "God blesses us for obeying Him and serving Him," he said, "but the real rewards will come when we get to heaven. Imagine being greeted with the words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' I can't imagine a better tip than that!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you serving the Lord? Do you promptly obey your parents and teachers? Are you kind to all the kids you meet-even those who don't treat you nicely? Do you "love your neighbor as yourself"? These are only a few of the things God tells you to do. Serve Him by serving others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He who serves Christ . . . is acceptable to God. Romans 14:18

[Soldier4Christ]

Daryl dropped his bat on the back porch and flung his mitt against the wall. He went to find his mother. "That Rodney!" he complained. "I wish he'd keep quiet if he can't talk without swearing."

Mom glanced at Daryl as she shoved the last clothes from the hamper into the washer. "Has he been having problems with that again?" she asked. Daryl nodded, and his frown deepened. "That's especially sad because Rodney says he's a Christian," said Mom thoughtfully. Then she pointed at Daryl's grass-stained, dirt-streaked jeans. "Just look at those pants! They were clean an hour or so ago. Good thing they're your old ones."

Daryl nodded. "I know. We played ball on Nick's lot, and I slid in home," he explained, brushing at the dirty spots. After a moment, he grinned at her slyly. "They'll just have to be washed again, but what are mothers for anyway?"

Mom laughed and rumpled his hair. "You better be thankful for mothers," she said. "It will take a lot of soap and elbow grease to get that dirt out." After a moment, she added, "Soap and water and scrubbing is the way to clean your dirty jeans, but did you know that there's a way for Rodney to clean up his problem, too?"

Daryl frowned. "You mean . . . like . . . confess it to God, right?"

"Yes," agreed Mom. "Rodney can't stop swearing on his own. He needs Jesus to help him." She spoke thoughtfully. "You know, he may not even realize he has a problem-or if he does, that there's a way he can take care of it. Maybe he needs someone to encourage him and remind him that Jesus wants to help him. Have you talked to him about it?"

"No," admitted Daryl. "I wouldn't know what to say."

Just then the door bell rang. Looking out the window, Mom and Daryl could see a boy standing on the front steps. "Well, there's your chance," suggested Mom. "Jesus will help you, too."

Daryl hesitated. Then he grinned. "All right!" he agreed as he ran to let Rodney in. "I'll try."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know someone who swears or uses bad language? He needs Jesus to help him stop. Perhaps you can be an influence in bringing him to Jesus, or if he's already a Christian, encourage him to give the problem to God. What about your own language? If you know the Lord, have you allowed Him to control your tongue? If not, talk to God about it. Ask Him to help you use your mouth for His glory.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

[Soldier4Christ]

Mom looked at her watch. "Let's meet here at this Christmas tree in the mall in two hours," she said.

"Okay," said Lanita. "We'll be here. Come on, Angie. We've got lots of gifts to buy." She studied the Christmas list.

"Okay!" agreed Angie, and soon they were busily looking for just the right presents for all the members of their family.

The girls were shopping for their father's gift, when they met their Sunday school teacher, who was shopping with her daughter Staci. Mrs. Kimble smiled and pointed to the packages the girls were carrying. "From the evidence, I can see that you girls are doing your Christmas shopping," she said. "You must have worked hard to earn enough money to buy all those presents!"

"We didn't actually earn all the money," said Angie. "Dad gives us extra money to buy Christmas gifts."

Staci grinned. "So you're actually buying your dad a gift with his own money," she said. "That's what I do, too."

"Yep." Lanita nodded and giggled. "We want to find a really nice present for him. After all, he deserves it, right?"

Mrs. Kimble smiled. "You're absolutely right," she agreed. "You'll be giving him what's rightfully his in the first place."

In Sunday school the next day, Angie and Lanita were surprised when their teacher used them as an illustration. "Giving your dad a gift bought with money he gave you is an example of what happens when you give to God," she told the class. "He gives all of us life, strength, time, and talents, yet we often complain about giving those things back to Him. We forget that all we have really belongs to Him . . . and He deserves our best. We're only giving back to Him what is rightfully His."

Angie raised her hand. "Dad likes it when we give him nice things." She grinned. "He likes it when we use money he gave us to buy stuff to give back to him. And God likes it when we use what He's given us and give it back to Him, too, doesn't He?"

"Yes, He does," said Mrs. Kimble with a smile. "He surely does."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you wish you didn't have to sing in the kid's choir at church? Do you ever complain about the time it takes to do your Sunday school lesson or go to church? Do you hate to put a whole tenth of your allowance in the offering? Think about it. All the blessings you have-money, time, talents-were given to you by God, your Heavenly Father. Appreciate all He's given you, and use it to bring glory to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. 1 Chronicles 29:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Sam hurried into his Sunday school class. He loved being there with his friends, and he liked his teacher, too. "Today we're going to start out with something different," said Mr. Prescott. "I'm going to pass out a little quiz." The boys groaned. "Don't look at your paper until I say you may," added Mr. Prescott with a smile.

Mr. Prescott walked around the table placing a sheet of paper and a pencil in front of everyone. Then he walked back to the front of the class. "When I say 'go,'" said Mr. Prescott, "turn your paper over and begin. Ready . . . GO."

Sam didn't mind taking a quiz. He always listened to the teacher, and he knew the Bible stories well. But after picking up his pencil and turning the paper over, he looked at Mr. Prescott. What is he thinking? Sam wondered. He raised his hand. "Mr. Prescott, this is a math test," he said.

"Yes," replied Mr. Prescott. "Look it over. Can you do the problems?"

"I guess so," answered Sam. "It looks easy, but . . . I don't understand why you're giving us a math test. This is Sunday school, not regular school. This isn't where we do math." The other kids nodded and looked at their teacher.

Mr. Prescott smiled and nodded, too. "I hoped you'd ask about that," he said, "because I want you to think about a principle here. Most of us are used to doing certain things in certain places, aren't we? You do math at school, and we talk about Jesus at church, of course. But sometimes God wants us to talk about Him in other places, too. The Bible says to be always be ready to answer those who ask us about our faith. It also says to be ready to preach the word, 'in season and out of season.' In other words, when it seems normal to do that-like in church-and when it doesn't."

"You mean . . . like in school? God might want us to talk about Him at school?" asked Sam.

"That's right," said Mr. Prescott. "Just like you all know enough about math to be able to do this test here, you should also know enough about God to talk about Him there. I believe you can all pass that test, as well."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you talk about Jesus wherever you are? It wouldn't be hard to tell someone that two plus two equals four, would it? It shouldn't be so hard to tell people that Jesus loves them, either. Don't talk about Him only to your Christian friends or only at church. Learn to talk about Him no matter where you are-make it a natural part of your conversation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. 2 Timothy 4:2

[Soldier4Christ]

Amber hurried to answer the phone. It was Mr. Bell, the music director from her church. "Amber," he said, "I've heard you sing in the junior department, and you did a good job. How about singing a solo at the church Christmas program this year?"

"I . . . I couldn't," Amber stammered. "The church will be so crowded that night. I'd be too scared!" Mr. Bell encouraged her to think and pray about it, but Amber refused. "Let somebody else do it," she said.

After hanging up, she told her mother about the call. "Why not try it, honey?" Mom encouraged her. "You do have a lovely voice, Amber."

"But what if I made a mistake or my voice cracked? I'd rather not sing than do it and make a fool of myself," sputtered Amber. "I'm too nervous. I'll sing when I'm older."

"Well, I do hate to see you just put your voice on a shelf," Mom said as she went to start supper. Amber was puzzled by her mother's remark, but she didn't ask for an explanation. She was just relieved that the subject was dropped!

That evening, Amber put the finishing touches on a scarf she was making to give to her grandma for Christmas. Amber had recently learned to knit, and the scarf had turned out very well. She just knew Grandma was going to like it. Mom admired it, too. "It's lovely," she said. A few minutes later she asked, "Do you think Grandma will keep it up on a closet shelf so it will stay nice?"

Amber was shocked. "Of course she won't!" she protested. "I made it for her to wear, not to put away out of sight!"

Mom nodded. "And you'd be hurt if she didn't use it, wouldn't you?"

"Well . . . sure," said Amber, "but why wouldn't she use it?"

"Good question," said Mom. "You're right-she'll use it. But, Amber, this reminds me of your voice. God gave you a special talent to use, not to save."

"So . . . that's what you meant when you said I shouldn't put my voice on a shelf," said Amber slowly. "You meant I should use it." She sighed. "I know you're right. I'm still scared, but I'll call Mr. Bell and tell him I'll try the song if he hasn't already asked someone else to sing it."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have your ever discovered that someone didn't use a gift you had given him? How would it make you feel if that happened? How about the gifts God has given you? Do you use them, or do you refuse to use your talents for fear of failure? Or because you're "too busy"? Or because you just "don't feel like it"? God wants you to use your talents, not put them on a shelf.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not neglect the gift that is in you. 1 Timothy 4:14

[Soldier4Christ]

"Today we'll talk about the Christmas story as it's recorded in the book of Luke," Mrs. Peters told her Sunday school class. "Please turn in your Bibles to the second chapter."

Tammy opened her Bible, but as the Scripture was read, she tuned out her teacher's voice. It wasn't that she didn't like the Christmas story. It was just that she knew it so well. I bet I could teach the class myself, thought Tammy. During the past few weeks, I've heard the Christmas story in Bible Club, I read it in a Sunday school paper, and I've seen it acted out on a television program. Now I'm hearing it again, and I bet Pastor Hill will read it during the church service. So while Mrs. Peters talked, Tammy thought about the new bike she expected to receive as a Christmas present. I can hardly wait, she thought. I won't be able to ride it since there's snow on the ground, but still . . .

After class, Tammy walked to the main auditorium with Gina, who had been coming to church for only a few months. "Wow! The Christmas story is really something, isn't it!" exclaimed Gina.

Tammy looked at her in surprise. "Haven't you heard it before?" she asked. "I've heard it hundreds of times!"

"I've heard it quite often, too," said Gina, "but I wasn't a Christian then and never paid much attention to what it meant. But now . . . just think, Tammy! Jesus came to earth for you and me!" Gina's face was alive with interest. "The story of His birth reminds me that God loves us an awful lot or He wouldn't have sent His only Son to earth to die!"

As Tammy sat down in church, she thought about Gina's words. Yes, she understood what God had done. She could tell the story by heart-some of it almost word for word as it was recorded in the Bible-but she realized now that she hadn't thought seriously about it for a long time. As a result, she had stopped getting excited about it. But I shouldn't take it all for granted, like I do, she thought. If Jesus hadn't come, I wouldn't have my sins forgiven. She opened her Bible to the Christmas story once again. I'll read it for myself while I wait for the service to begin. And this time, I'll really picture in my mind what it must have been like for Jesus to come to earth!


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get an "I've heard it all before" attitude when you hear lessons on the real meaning of Christmas? Do you take Christ's birth for granted because you've heard about it so many times? The Bethlehem story should be familiar to you, but it should also make you thankful each time you hear it. If Christ had not come, you would not have a Savior. Read the Scripture again. Really think about the wonderful thing that happened so long ago. Thank God for it


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. Luke 1:49

[Soldier4Christ]

After supper on Christmas Eve, little Anna climbed into her mother's lap as Grandpa reached for his Bible and began to read the familiar story of the birth of Jesus. Anna's sister, Jenni, smiled and let her mind wander as Grandpa read about the angels and shepherds and then about the visit of the wise men bringing their gifts. Anna's first Christmas, Jenni reminded herself. She's going to love the little baby doll Tyler and I bought for her!

When Grandpa finished reading, Dad prayed, thanking God for the Savior who came to give them eternal life. Then Mom put Anna on the floor in front of her pile of gifts. "Open them, Anna," encouraged Tyler. Anna giggled, but she didn't seem to know what to do. She just looked at the bright wrappings.

"Here, open them like this," said Jenni as she pulled off a bow. Anna grabbed the ribbon and put it in her mouth.

"At this rate it will take her all night," muttered Tyler, "and I want to see what she thinks of the doll we got her." So both Tyler and Jenni began removing the gift wrappings.

"See the pretty baby," said Jenni as she put the doll in Anna's lap. Anna looked at the doll for a moment. Then she flung it aside and reached for the wrapping paper. She laughed as she crinkled the colorful paper in her fingers and draped the ribbons over her head. Then she climbed into an empty box.

"We give her a really cool gift, and she ignores it!" exclaimed Tyler. "She'd rather play with the wrappings than the doll! Can you believe it?"

"Right now, I think the bright trimmings have distracted her," said Mom.

"I can see that you kids are disappointed in Anna's reaction to the gift you gave her," commented Grandpa. "I sometimes wonder if God doesn't feel just as disappointed at Christmas time.

Tyler looked at him in surprise. "Why?" he asked.

"Because people often completely ignore the real gift of Christmas," explained Grandpa. "God sent Jesus to earth to save us from our sins and give us eternal life, but so many people get distracted by the trimmings of Christmas-the presents, lights, gifts, trees, and carols-and totally ignore the real gift, the Lord Jesus."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What does Christmas mean to you? Does it mean parties and fun, Christmas cookies and good food? Does it mean shopping and presents? Or do you think about the reason Jesus came to earth as a baby? Do you thank Him for coming to save you from your sins? Have you accepted the most wonderful gift of all-eternal life through Jesus? If not, won't you forget all those Christmas "wrappings" and simply trust in Jesus today?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

[Soldier4Christ]

"But we had everything planned! We were ready to go," wailed LoriAnn. "Why did this have to happen now?" She shoved her suitcase into her closet as she fought back the tears that stung her eyes.

"I'm sorry, honey," said Mom comfortingly, "but it can't be helped. The Miller family is facing a very hard time, and they need their pastor right now."

"But it's just not fair!" protested LoriAnn. "We've been planning for months to visit Granny." She held up the calendar with the date circled in red. "See, I marked it on my calendar. I already told all my friends that I was going."

Mom put her arm around LoriAnn and spoke gently. "Try to think how your friends Rick and Jan Miller feel," said Mom. "Mrs. Taylor, their grandma, is very, very ill. Their whole family is very concerned about her. It isn't just that she's sick. There are other special circumstances involved here, too."

"Like what?" LoriAnn wanted to know.

"As you know, the Millers haven't been Christians for very long, and as far as they know, Mrs. Taylor still has not trusted in Jesus. She refuses to listen when they try to witness to her," explained Mom. "She does listen when Daddy talks with her, so he feels he needs to be here right now."

"But . . . but Granny and I have been planning a lot of things to do," whined LoriAnn. "Now it will be at least another month before we can visit her."

Mom walked to the desk in the corner of the room. She picked up a note pad and pencil. "Let's make a list. Name three things you and Granny are going to do when you visit her."

"That's easy," LoriAnn answered. "We're going to bake cookies, go shopping at the mall, and see the new baby giraffe at the zoo."

Mom wrote down the things LoriAnn mentioned. "Now name three things Rick and Jan will get to do when they visit their grandmother," said Mom.

LoriAnn looked surprised, and then ashamed. "Oh, Mom . . . I was only thinking about how disappointed I was," she admitted, "but I should be thanking God that Granny is healthy." LoriAnn looked up. "I'm sorry, and I'll let Rick and Jan know that I'll be praying for their grandma, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you react when you face disappointments? If you think about it, you may find blessings hidden in your disappointments. Thank the Lord for them. Think about other people who are affected by the situation and try looking at the problem from their point of view. Can you look past your own feeling of disappointment and find ways to reach out to them?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18