Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"I suppose I should keep inviting Sara to Sunday school," Holly told her mother as they walked to the grocery store, "but I don't want to anymore."

"Really?" asked Mom. "I remember when Pastor Jim challenged your class to think of a friend you should witness to. You were so excited when you told me God brought Sara to your mind."

"I know, but she always calls me 'Holy Holly,' and I just hate that!" replied Holly. "Besides, I can't think of any way to get her to come, so I might as well give up. I don't think God is going to use me to get her to Sunday school."

"Don't be so sure," cautioned Mom as they approached the store. She stopped near the entrance and looked at the door. "Do you think we can get in?" she asked. "That door is in the way. What if it doesn't open for us?" Holly eyed her mother suspiciously. "I know the door has a sensor that can tell when someone's coming, and it usually swings open by itself-almost like magic," continued Mom, "but what if it fails? What if the sensor is broken?"

Holly frowned at her mother. "What are you getting at anyway?" asked Holly. "I know you're not really worried about the door opening."

Mom chuckled. "True," she agreed, "and you're not, either, are you?"

"Of course not." Holly shook her head. "I'm sure the store manager sees to it that it works."

"He wants customers to go through that door, so we trust him to keep it in good working order so it will open for us," agreed Mom. "Well, there's somebody else we should trust to open doors He wants us to go through. That somebody is our all-powerful God. If He wants you to do something, He'll 'open the door' to make it possible."

"You mean . . . He'll make a way for me to get Sara to come to Sunday school, don't you?" asked Holly.

Mom nodded. "I really think God wants you to keep reaching out to her."

Holly sighed. "Yeah, I know," she admitted. "I guess 'Holy Holly' isn't such a bad name after all!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you discouraged-ready to give up doing something God wants you to do? Does it seem like the task is too hard? Or does it seem like the situation is not changing? If God has put someone on your mind, or if He impressed upon you the need to do some task, don't give up on it. Pray about it and trust God to open doors at just the right time.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Praying also for us, that God would open to us a door . . . to speak the mystery of Christ. Colossians 4:3

[Soldier4Christ]

As Robert sat idly on the porch swing, Aaron rode by on his bicycle at top speed. "Hey, Aaron," he called to his friend's back, "where's the fire?"

Aaron slammed on his brakes and turned back. "No fire," he replied. "I've just got a lot to do today."

"I sure don't," Robert grumbled. "I'm so bored! There isn't anything to do around here."

"Nothing to do?" echoed Aaron. "I'm really busy! I'm on my way to mow Gramp Norton's lawn and trim the bushes. Want to come along and help me?"

"Sure," agreed Robert getting up. "How much will we get paid?"

"Nothing." Aaron grinned. "I'm doing it for fun."

"For fun?" Robert slapped his forehead. "You're really mowing a lawn for fun? Does Gramps have a riding mower or something?"

Aaron shook his head. "No. I'm doing it because it's fun to do things for other people. And, besides, we learned in Sunday school that Jesus said when we do something for others, we're doing it for Him. I decided to spend this summer working for Jesus."

Robert raised his eyebrows and moaned. But because he didn't have anything else to do, he went with Aaron.

Robert also went with Aaron the next day-and the next day, too-as Aaron "worked for the Lord." Robert couldn't believe that he was actually enjoying what he was doing. "This really is more fun than sitting around doing nothing," he told Aaron as they cleaned his dad's garage without having been asked to do so. "I can't wait to see Dad's face when he gets home and sees this nice, clean garage."

Aaron nodded. "My mom says we get bored because we think about ourselves too much," he told Robert. "She says that's much less likely to happen when we're busy helping others."

"Well, I sure haven't been bored the last few days," said Robert with a grin. "Maybe this summer won't be so dull after all."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is "I'm bored" your theme song? Could that be because you're thinking too much about yourself? There are many, many things you can do to keep busy and be of help to others. Ask the Lord to show you a way to help another person each day. Then do it. When you help someone else, you are doing it for Jesus, too. You may not get paid for it now, but He will reward you some day.


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]

Timothy sipped a cold soda as he walked down the street. It tasted really good because it was a very hot day. What made it even better was that the soda was free! A new place called "The Soda Shack" had just opened up, and they were giving out free samples to advertise their products.

Just as Timothy reached the park, the neighborhood ball game ended. "Hey! Where did you get that drink?" asked his brother Daryl. "I know you didn't have any money when we left home."

Timothy grinned. "I got it at that new place called The Soda Shack. It was free!" he said.

Immediately Timothy was surrounded by hot and thirsty players asking questions. "Where did you get it?" "You had to pay something for it, didn't you?" "Did they tell you to come here and advertise?" "What's the trick?"

Timothy laughed. "There isn't any trick. The Soda Shack is giving away free samples today," he explained. "They said they hoped I'd come again whenever I want a soda or some ice cream."

"The sodas are free? Oh, sure they are," someone said sarcastically.

"You expect us to believe that?" asked another.

Some of the boys walked over to the water fountain for a drink. Others just went home. But some, including Daryl, took off running toward The Soda Shack.

That evening, Timothy and Daryl told their parents what had happened. "Some of the kids drank warm water instead of cold sodas," said Daryl. "They were so sure the sodas would cost them something."

"Yeah," Timothy agreed. "Why didn't they believe me, Dad?"

"I don't know, Son," said Dad. "Some people just can't seem to believe good news when they hear it." He frowned. "That often happens when we tell them about the good news God gives us. Some just can't believe He'd give eternal life as a free gift. They think there's a trick to such an offer, or that they have to do something to earn their way to heaven." Dad shook his head. "When it comes to eternal life in heaven, it can never be earned or bought. The only way to get it is to accept the gift God offers."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you heard the saying that the best things in life are free? In fact, the very best thing you could ever receive truly is free-it's God's gift of eternal life. There is nothing you can do to pay for it or earn it. God says it's a gift. The word itself-gift-means it's free! It's free because Jesus has already paid the price for it. You simply receive it when you trust in Him.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

[Soldier4Christ]

Megan brushed tears from her eyes as she burst through the door. "Is something wrong, honey?" asked Mom. "Did something happen at school today to upset you?"

Megan nodded. "Shari hadn't gotten the invitation to my birthday party yet, and she's planning a party for the same time as mine," she said. "She's inviting the same kids, too . . . she even invited me!" Megan sniffed. "Shari's having a skating party and I'm only having pizza and games, so everyone will choose her party instead of mine!"

"Well . . . maybe the kids shouldn't have to choose" said Mom, giving Megan a hug. "Since Shari's party is Saturday afternoon, we could change your party to the evening. We could help pick up the kids from the skating rink and bring them over here for pizza and games. Shari could come then, too."

"I bet they'd like that!" Megan exclaimed. "That's a great idea! Thanks, Mom!" She smiled. "I can always count on you to think of a way to help me."

"I'm glad you think so-even if I may not always be able to solve your problems," said Mom with a smile. "I like to have you come to me for help."

"Like God does?" asked Megan. Mom looked at her in surprise. "Don't you remember? Last week I asked you why God lets hurtful things happen to Christians," Megan continued. "You said you couldn't tell me just why, but that we can always go to God with our problems. You said He wants us to come to Him, remember?"

"Yes, He invites us to do that," said Mom. "As we trust Him, He comforts us and helps us know how to handle our problems."

Maggie nodded. "You pointed out that if we never had any problems, we probably wouldn't go to God as much-or learn to trust Him as much," she added. "So one reason God allows Christians to have problems is to teach us to depend on Him. He has the answers and will help us if we only trust Him."

"That's right," agreed Mom. "Looks like you learned that lesson well."

Mom smiled, but Megan suddenly frowned. "Oops!" said Megan. "I guess I should have gone to Him when the party problem came up! Next time, I'll try to remember-but I'll still come and talk about it with you, too, Mom!


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a problem-or maybe more than one? Do you see your problems as a way to grow closer to God by trusting Him to solve them? He may not always solve problems the way you'd like Him to, but He will give you the strength to deal with them, and He'll bring a blessing as you trust in Him. He never leaves you alone with the problem-He's always right there to help.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. Psalm 55:22

[Soldier4Christ]

Waves crashed over Dad and Jason as they plunged into the water. They tumbled in the surf and came up sputtering. Jason laughed. "This is fun!" he said.

"Yes, but fun can turn into danger," cautioned Dad. "There could be an undertow, so stay close enough to shore so you can get your feet on the ground."

 Together they rode the waves toward the beach, then waded out into the surf again. Each ride was more exciting than the last, and Jason gradually became more careless as he forgot Dad's warning. Noticing that Jason had gone farther out than usual, Dad called and signaled him to move toward shore.

Jason attempted to do so, but a huge wave crashed against him, knocking him over and pulling him under. Jason struggled to get his feet on the ground, but the undertow pulled him farther from shore. As panic overwhelmed him, he felt a hand grab his arm. A few minutes later, Dad had towed him back to safety. Jason gasped for breath. "Are you all right?" Dad asked when they could both stand.

"I think so," replied Jason. "I was so scared. The current kept pulling me farther out." He headed for shore. "I'm tired! I think I'll go make a sand castle before I go out again."

As they sat on the beach, Jason shook his head. "That water was more dangerous than I thought."

Dad nodded. "It occurs to me that sin is like that, too," he said. "It can seem harmless, but like that undertow, it often has a strong pull on your life. For example, when you're having fun with friends who do wrong things, you may find yourself being pulled toward places you shouldn't go or activities you shouldn't take part in."

"You're talking about me hanging out with Mike, aren't you?" murmured Jason.

"Yes, I am," said Dad. "We both know he gets into a lot of trouble. Being with him may seem cool and exciting, but if he encourages you to do things that aren't pleasing to God, you may find you can't resist that influence. You need Christian friends-kids who are interested in pleasing God, not the world."

Jason sighed. "I guess you're right," he admitted.

Dad rumpled Jason's hair. "You know I am," said Dad. "With the help of godly friends, you may able to be a testimony to Mike." He stood up. "And now let's go ride the waves once more-but we won't go out too far!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been wise in choosing your friends? God warns against the danger of spending too much time with ungodly kids. Good character can easily be damaged-you're influenced by those around you whether you realize it or not. Look for friends who will encourage you to live for Jesus and do what is right.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 1 Corinthians 15:33

[Soldier4Christ]

"What's wrong, Steve?" asked Micah as the boys walked home from school.

"I don't want to talk about it," said Steve with a scowl. "You'll just laugh."

"No, I won't. We're friends. Come on . . . tell me what's bothering you," coaxed Micah.

"Well," said Steve, giving in, "some of the guys found out that my middle name is Thomas, which means my first two initials are 'ST.' And since that's the abbreviation for 'Saint' and my last name is 'Bernard,' they all started calling me 'Saint Bernard'-like I was one of those St. Bernard dogs!" Micah tried not to grin. "They barked at me and everything," added Steve.

"Don't let it bother you-they'll get over it," said Micah. As he thought about it, however, he couldn't resist making a joke. "Wait till I tell the guys that I walk the dog home from school every day!" he teased with a hearty laugh.

Steve looked at Micah in disbelief. "You said you wouldn't laugh, and I trusted you!" he said angrily, and he began running home as fast as he could.

"Hey, I was only kidding!" Micah called after him. "You know I won't really tell them that!" But Steve was gone.

For several days, Steve refused to walk home with Micah or even to talk to him. He's just being stubborn, thought Micah, but it really bothered him. Then one morning as Micah read the Scripture to go along with the lesson in his daily devotional book, he came to these verses: "Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, 'I was only joking.'" Uh-oh, thought Micah as feelings of guilt filled his heart. That sounds like the way I treated Steve. I've got to ask him to forgive me. So Micah went downstairs, ate a hasty breakfast, and grabbed his books.

"What's the big hurry?" asked his mother as he dashed past her.

"God reminded me that I have something important to do," answered Micah. "I'll explain later." And he ran all the way to Steve's house.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you in the habit of teasing people about things that bother them? God warns that you can deeply hurt them by doing that. If you have hurt someone, you should apologize and ask him or her to forgive you. Learn to say things that help people rather than hurt them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 26:18-19 (NIV))
Like . . . deadly arrows is a man who deceives . . . and says, "I was only joking!"

[Soldier4Christ]

I guess I wouldn't like to be called "Saint Bernard" either, Micah admitted to himself as he hurried to Steve's house to apologize for having teased him about "walking the dog home." Micah slowed down as he approached the Bernard home. On the lawn, he saw a handmade sign that said, "Beware of the dog." Oh-oh, thought Micah. Steve doesn't even have a dog! Somebody put that sign up just to tease him. Micah stopped at the end of the driveway, not sure if he should go on up to the door or turn around and go to school. That's gonna make Steve really mad. Maybe I should forget about apologizing for now.

Just as Micah decided to leave, the side door of Steve's house opened and Steve came out. "Hi, Micah," called Steve.

"Hi, yourself," replied Micah, feeling a little off-guard. He had been sure Steve would be angry, but to his surprise, Steve was smiling and acting friendly. Micah decided to get the apology over with. "Look, Steve," he said, "I want to apologize for teasing you the other day. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but I did, and I was wrong."

"Oh, it's okay," said Steve. "I know I shouldn't have taken the teasing so seriously."

"You do?" Micah looked at Steve in surprise.

Steve nodded and pointed across the lawn. "How do you like my sign?"

"Your sign?" asked Micah.

"Yep!" replied Steve. "I made that. Dad says I'd better get used to teasing. He told me the kids used to tease him about his big feet when he was a boy-some of his friends still do. He said it really helps if a person can 'play along' with the teasing." Steve grinned as he walked to the sign and pushed it more firmly into the ground. "I've decided to take Dad's advice and enjoy being Steven Thomas Bernard from now on. And if the kids want to call me 'Saint Bernard . . .'" He shrugged. "As Dad pointed out, a saint is a good thing." He looked at Micah who was still staring at him. "Come on," added Steve. "It's time to get to school."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you respond to teasing? Do you get angry and hold a grudge? Getting angry won't stop people from teasing you. It may even make them tease more. God says you are to "bless those who persecute you." So don't let teasing upset you. Follow God's instruction to live peaceably with others. Learn to laugh at yourself. You'll find you enjoy life more that way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Dylan awoke to the sound of rain beating against his window. "Oh, no!" he exclaimed. "If this rain keeps up, Pete and I won't be able to go to Fun Island this afternoon." He slowly got dressed and went down for breakfast.

After eating, Dylan's little brother Timmy tugged at his hand. "Play with me," begged Timmy.

"Oh, Dylan." His sister Karyn spoke as she approached with a book in her hand. "You said you'd help me with my math sometime, and this is a perfect time to do it. Please?"

Dylan hesitated. "Karyn does need help, Timmy," he said. "I'll help her for a while and play with you later, okay?"

Just then there was a knock on the door and Dylan went to answer it. "Pete!" he exclaimed when he saw who was there. "Isn't this rain awful?"

"It's awful for a trip to Fun Island," agreed Pete. "We need the rain, though. Dad hopes it'll rain all day. He says it's been so dry the farmers' crops are drying up, and they've been praying for rain for weeks."

Dylan looked at his friend. "I bet you're praying for it to keep raining, too, aren't you?" asked Dylan. He frowned. "Well, I'm not. I'm praying it will stop so we can still go to Fun Island. The rain can just as well wait till tomorrow."

Pete shrugged. "It will spoil somebody's fun no matter what day it rains," he said.

"Dylan, you're praying it will stop raining, and Pete is praying it won't. So whose prayer will God answer?" asked Timmy, who had been listening. "He can't give you both what you want, can He?"

As Dylan looked at his little brother, he suddenly remembered that a few minutes earlier, he'd had to decide whether to do what Timmy wanted or what Karyn wanted. As he thought about his prayer and about Pete's, he was sure he knew which was more deserving. I don't understand all about prayer, and I don't know what God will do, but I know my attitude wasn't right, he thought. Dylan sighed. "I guess I hope God answers Pete's prayer," he said slowly. "I'm sure there will be another sunny day when we can go to Fun Island."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ask God to give you what you want no matter how it affects others? Do you pray that He'll do things your way even if it causes hardship to somebody else? When you pray with that attitude, you cannot expect God to answer the way you'd like Him to. He has given guidelines for prayer, and one of them is that you should not pray selfishly. Another is that you should pray according to God's will. Learn to pray as He directs, asking Him to send you what He knows is best.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss. James 4:3

[Soldier4Christ]

Maggie finished her after-school snack and then opened a book. "Before you do anything else, you need to pick up things in your room," said Mom.

"Oh, Mom! You never make anybody else work so much," whined Maggie. Seeing her mother's warning look, she hurried down the hall to her bedroom where she piled books and papers in a corner and flung clothes from the floor onto her bed.

"Maggie," Mom called after a while, "if you've finished your room, come and practice your piano lesson now."

Reluctantly, Maggie went to the piano. After practicing only a short time, she crashed her hands on the keyboard and scowled at her little brother who was making engine noises as he played with his trucks. "Get out of here, Ben," she shouted. "You're making me hit the wrong notes!" Just then, Mom came into the room. I can't get this music right with Ben in here," grumbled Maggie.

"You've been hitting just one note wrong," said Mom, "but it's one that's repeated often." Mom sat down and played several chords. She showed Maggie which note she had been missing. "One wrong note in a chord causes 'discord'-lack of harmony," added Mom. "And honey, one member of a family out of harmony with the other members causes discord in a home."

"B-but . . . but . . ." sputtered Maggie.

"Practice this piece again," said Mom. "Do it carefully, and see if you don't feel better when the notes are all in harmony. You'll also feel much better-much happier-when you are in harmony with the rest of the family. I think you need to ask the Lord Jesus to help you change your attitude, honey. Think about it." Mom turned to Ben. "Come on, Benny," she added. "You come with me to the kitchen."

Maggie tried to be angry as she began to play, but she knew her mother was right. After playing the piece one time, she got up and hurried to the kitchen. "Oh, Mom, I'm sorry for my bad attitude lately," she said, throwing her arms around her mother. "I know I've been the 'wrong note.'" With a wry smile, she said, "I . . . I need to go clean my room the right way." Maggie grinned at Ben and added, "You can bring your trucks and come along if you like."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you in harmony with your family? Or are your words and actions off-key? Do you growl at your brothers and sisters when they bother you or use your things? Do you snap at your parents when they ask you to do your chores? Maybe you've blamed everyone else when you're the one with the problem. Ask God to help produce a beautiful, harmonious home life. Don't be a "wrong note."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He (God) has put a new song in my mouth . . . many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

[Soldier4Christ]

Chad and Ethan piled their books and notebooks into their backpacks and walked out the school door. "Hey, Ethan, how about going to Sunday school with me this week?" Chad asked. "We can pick you up."

Ethan frowned. "Don't talk to me about religion, Chad. You know how I feel about all those 'You shall nots' you church people have to follow: 'You shall not do this.' 'You shall not do that.' I really hate the one that says you're not to lie, even if it would keep you from getting into trouble. That's crazy! I like my freedom." As they reached the parking lot, he added, "I have to run. My mom's waiting for me. See you tomorrow."

Chad thought about Ethan as he walked home. He sighed. Whenever I invite him to Sunday school, all he can think of is what Christians can't do.

The next week, Chad was invited to go boating on a nearby lake with Ethan and his father. In spite of a blowing wind and choppy waves, they had a great time. "Chad and I will tie the boat down," offered Ethan when they returned to the dock. His dad agreed, so Jeff showed Chad how to knot the rope to secure the boat to the dock.

Chad looked at Ethan. "Why tie the boat?" asked Chad as they worked. "Why not give it its freedom?"

Ethan laughed. "You're kidding! You know it would drift into the lake and be lost in no time-if it didn't hit another boat first." He lifted the rope and pointed to the secure knot he had just made. "This knot will keep the boat safe."

Chad studied the knot and grinned. "So you have your knots, and I have mine."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ethan looked puzzled.

"Well, you say you don't want to be a Christian because the Bible has too many 'you shall nots.' But God tells us not to do things-like lie or steal-for our protection. It's to keep us from ruining our lives or hurting others. That knot in the rope protects your boat, and the 'nots' God gives protect us."

Ethan looked thoughtful. "I guess that makes sense," he admitted. "Maybe I really should learn more about what the Bible teaches."

Chad smiled. "So how about coming to Sunday school with me tomorrow?"   

Ethan hesitated. "Well, okay. That should be a good place to start."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that God's "nots" are for your good? Or do you get resentful because of the things He says you are not to do? Remember, God knows what will help you and what will hurt you. A mother tells her little boy not to run into the street because he could get hurt or even killed. When God tells you not to do something, it's to protect you, too, and to keep you from trouble. Don't think you know all you need to know. Learn what God says and follow His commands-even the "nots."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:7

[Soldier4Christ]

Dave wiped his hands in the dirt. He gripped his bat tightly and took a practice swing. "Dave!" The sound of his mother's voice reached him. "Dave, it's time to come in and do your reading." It was summer, and Dave's teacher had suggested that he read a little each day to help improve his reading skills.

"Aw, Mom," Dave moaned, "do I have to do that right now?" By the look on his mom's face, he knew that he did. So he went in and sat down with a book, but he didn't read. He watched a fly climb up a wall.

"Mom, can I go clean my I room now?" Dave asked after a few minutes. "It really needs it."

"No, Dave, you must read that story," answered Mom. "The only way you'll get to go anywhere is to finish your reading."

Dave counted the tiles on the ceiling. "What if I wash the dishes?" he asked. "Or what if I write a letter to Grandma? Or vacuum the living room?"

Mom shook her head. "No, Dave," she replied. "Just read your story."

Dave turned back to the story and read two lines. "Mom, I'll take out the trash," he offered a minute later.

"Dave, read that story! That's the one thing you have to do," said Mom sternly. "When you've done that, you may go outside."

Mom sat down beside Dave. "All your suggestions to do something other than reading remind me of the way people try to get out of what God tells them they must do," she said. "Most people want very much to go to heaven, and God has clearly told us there is only one way to get there. John 3:3 says, 'Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Some people say, 'But, God, I'll be so good!' God says, 'No, you must be born again.' They say, 'I'll join the church and I'll give money.' God says, 'No, you must be born again.' Some say, 'I'll obey the Ten Commandments. I'll be baptized.' God says, 'No, you must be born again.'"

Dave nodded. "And God won't change His mind, will He?" But Dave knew his mom wouldn't change her mind, either, so he settled down to read.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you one of those people who try different ways to gain eternal life? Do you think you can be saved by being good, getting baptized, or going to church? Those are good things, but they are man's ideas of ways to get to heaven, not God's. They do not lead to eternal life. You must accept Jesus as Savior and be born again.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
(Jesus said) Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

[Soldier4Christ]

"Look at these pretty stones!" called Leah. She and her parents were visiting a park, and she had run ahead down the path. She held out the rocks she had picked up, then slipped them into her pocket.   

"Hold on," Dad said. "I'm afraid you can't keep them."

Leah frowned. "Why not?"

"We're in a national park, and we've seen signs warning people that it's illegal to take anything from this property," explained Dad. "In fact, there's another one now." He pointed to a sign at the side of the path.

"But I want these for my art class project," said Leah. "I found some other cool stuff, too." She pulled several rocks, leaves, and pieces of wood from her pocket. "Can't I take these home? I want to make drawings of them." Dad shook his head, and Leah pouted as she sat down on a log and crossed her arms across her chest. "But, Dad . . ."

"Sorry, honey," said Dad, "but I'm afraid that's the way it has to be." With a sigh, Leah tossed down the items she had collected.

After dinner that evening, Dad read from the book of Matthew: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." Dad smiled at Leah. "These verses make me think of all those things you picked up this morning," he said. "You spent a lot of time collecting them. Would you have done that if you had read the signs?"

"Of course not," Leah answered. "I would have taken my art pad and made sketches of them right there." She frowned. "I wouldn't have wasted my time collecting them."

Dad nodded. "I'm afraid many of us who are Christians are doing the same thing you did. We're busy collecting things on earth and ignoring God's signs."

"God's signs?" asked Leah. "What do you mean?"

"The Bible teaches that Jesus may come back soon," explained Dad, "yet we spend a lot of time collecting money and possessions. We forget that those things are just temporary-that when we leave this world, we can't take them with us. We need to remember that knowing God, obeying Him, and sharing Him with others is what really matters. When we do that, we're storing treasures in heaven."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you dream about things you want? A new bike? Video games? Brand name shoes or clothes? Sports equipment? Do you spend lots of time collecting things? Bible teachers often point out signs that Jesus may come back soon. Don't ignore those signs. Jesus doesn't want you to become attached to things on earth. Instead, think of what you can do today that will be of value when you get to heaven. Use your time to lay up treasure there, not here on earth.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:7

[Soldier4Christ]

"Nick, leave Goldie in the fishbowl!" Josh ordered his little brother. In the kitchen, their mother stopped working to listen. Then she went to check.

"I just want to pet him," whined Nick as he pulled his hand out of the bowl.

"Don't take Goldie out of the water," Mom told Nick, raising the bowl to a higher shelf. She turned to Josh. "You need to mow the lawn now."

Josh groaned. "Aw, Mom. It's too hot," he objected.   

"Well, it's not going to get any cooler," said Mom. "You'd better start now."

"Mom, the Bible says, 'Do not provoke your children to wrath,' but you're making me feel angry right now," grumbled Josh.

Mom frowned. "The same chapter says, 'Children, obey your parents.' Now, I think I hear a lawn mower calling!"

After finishing his work, Josh played with his little brother again. Soon Nick came in crying. "Mommy, Josh pushed me down," sobbed the little boy.

Josh defended himself. "Nick ran into me," he said. "The Bible says, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,' so Nick just got what was coming to him." But Josh felt guilty because he knew it wasn't right for him to hurt his little brother.

"The Bible also says, 'Be kind,' and, 'Do not take revenge,'" said Mom firmly. "You've been taking Bible verses out of context, Josh."

Josh looked puzzled. "What does 'out of context' mean?" he asked   

"It means to take something out of its proper surroundings," Mom explained. "This morning Nick wanted to take Goldie out of his bowl. If you take a fish out of water, it will soon die. If you take a Bible verse out of its proper surroundings without considering the other verses in the Bible, you can make it say something different from what it really means. That's taking 'it out of context.' It's not right to do that."

That evening, Mom smiled when she again overheard the boys as they were playing. "Nick!" exclaimed Josh. "Get off that chair! Mom put Goldie up on that shelf so you'd leave him alone. She told you just this morning that you can't take him out of his context. You have to leave him in his fishbowl."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use Bible verses correctly? Don't take them out of context. God's Word-the Bible-is sacred, and you should never use it in a wrong way. Don't try to make it say what you want it to say. Study it carefully, and use verses only in a way that agrees with principles taught in other places in the Bible.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Present yourself approved to God . . . rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

[Soldier4Christ]

One morning during family devotions, Carley felt a sharp poke under the table. Glaring at her brother, she whispered, "Knock it off, Tyler."

"'A friend loves at all times,'" Dad read from the book of Proverbs, "'and a brother is born for adversity'-that is, for hard times."

"You can say that again!" exclaimed Carley. "Brothers are good for nothing but giving you a hard time."

"Hold it!" said Dad with a smile. "That's not what the verse is saying. One of the translations of the Bible says, 'A brother is born to help in time of need.' Adversity, or hard times, refers to times like . . . well, like the time you fell down the stairs, Carley, and your brother felt so bad he cried harder than you."

"And think about what happened just yesterday when you dropped your notebook," Mom reminded Carley. "Who ran after all those papers that were blowing away?"

"Yeah, Carley!" Tyler piped up, poking his sister again. "I chased 'em all the way to the corner!"

"And you, young man . . . who was it that helped you pick up your toys so you'd finish in time to go to the zoo with Todd?" asked Dad, catching his son by surprise.

"Uh . . . well, it was Carley," mumbled Tyler. Then he quickly added, "But that verse isn't talking about sisters."

"Oh, I think it is," said Dad. "It's referring to brothers and sisters. The phrase 'a brother is born for adversity' tells us that God gave us brothers and sisters, not to bring us trouble, but to be there to help us when trouble comes."

Mom smiled in agreement. "You may have some fights now and then," she said. "I guess all brothers and sisters do. But you should learn to appreciate each other in spite of that."

Dad nodded. "And be sure to thank the Lord for one another as well."

Carley and Tyler looked at each other. "Okay," said Tyler, sounding a little doubtful. Then his eyes twinkled. "Hey, Carley," he added, "I'm gonna have an awful hard time tonight getting the trash all out to the road so it will be ready for garbage pickup tomorrow!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you learned to appreciate the brothers or sisters God has given you? Did you know that one reason He gave them to you is to help you through hard times? Today's Scripture gives the example of Joseph's love for his brothers, even after they had mistreated him. Love your brothers and sisters, and thank God often for them. They're an important part of your life. Be good to them-help them when they need you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
A brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

[Soldier4Christ]

Jamie was having a wonderful time at camp with her best friend, Dawn. "I didn't know there'd be so many new things for us to do," said Jamie.

"Me, neither," agreed Dawn. "Miss Sarah is cool, too, isn't she?" Miss Sarah was the girls' cabin counselor.

During supper one evening, the counselors disappeared from the dining hall one by one. Then Mr. Ron, the camp director, explained that they were hiding and the campers had half an hour to find their own cabin counselor. "Let's go, Jamie!" exclaimed Dawn when Mr. Ron dismissed them.

"Where shall we look first?" asked Jamie as they ran out of the building.

"Why don't we look near our cabin?" suggested Dawn. "Maybe Miss Sarah's somewhere around there."

Half an hour later, Mr. Ron rang the bell, which was the signal for the kids and counselors who had been found to report to the dining hall. None of the girls in Jamie's cabin had found Miss Sarah. Mr. Ron then rang a second bell, signaling counselors who hadn't been found to come out of hiding. Jamie and Dawn were astonished to see Miss Sarah pop out of a large cardboard box that was standing next to a dumpster outside the dining hall.

"We must have walked right past that box a dozen times," Jamie moaned. "It never occurred to me that someone might be hiding so close to the dining hall!"

Miss Sarah giggled. "I heard you going by once," she said. " I thought you'd surely hear me laughing!"

When the girls in the cabin gathered for devotions that evening, Miss Sarah talked about the counselor hunt. "I heard a lot of kids walk past while I was in that cardboard box," she said. "In fact, I heard what many of them were saying. I don't think some would have talked the way they did if they had known a counselor was nearby." She paused, then added. "You know, when I was in that box, I got a little idea of how God must feel when people forget He's listening. It's important to remember that He can always hear us. He's always right there even though we can't see Him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you talk when no parents, teachers, or other adults are around? When you're with your friends, do you use words that you carefully avoid when your parents are with you? Make sure your speech is clean no matter who is nearby. Remember that God hears you even when you're all alone. He's always listening!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
There is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. Psalm 139:4