Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, will you sponsor me for the jump-a-thon our school is going to have?" asked Jana, waving a piece of paper. "People sign this list to donate a certain amount of money for every minute we jump rope. If you sign up for ten cents a minute and I jump for an hour without stopping, you have to donate six dollars. The money we raise will be used to help hungry people."

Mom looked at the paper Jana gave her. "Well, that's a good cause," she agreed, "but we're planning to be at Grandma's that weekend."

"But, Mom!" pouted Jana. "There will be a prize for the kid in each grade who raises the most money, and I want to be one of them." She smiled as she remembered something else. "Oh, and guess what, Mom? My teacher said the TV cameras will be there. I'd just love to be on television! If I can win a prize, I'd be on for sure. Then my Sunday school teacher and people from church and Grandma and all our friends can see that I'm taking part. After all, like you said, it's for a good cause, so I think they'll be impressed, don't you? I could call some of them and tell them to watch."

Mom frowned. "It sounds to me like this should be called a horn-a-thon instead of a jump-a-thon."

"A horn-a-thon!" exclaimed Jana. "No one will be blowing horns!"

"Maybe not," replied Mom, "but all that commotion over what you can win and gain for yourself reminds me of the Pharisees in Bible times. They used to have someone go down the street ahead of them and blow a trumpet so everyone would know when they were on their way to do a good deed. Jesus said that their giving had no eternal value because it was done out of pride instead of genuine love. They weren't really concerned about the people they were helping. They were just concerned about getting noticed."

"But I'm concerned about the hungry people, Mom!" protested Jana. "It's just that this will be a fun way to make money to help them."

"Well, that's good then," said Mom, though she sounded a bit doubtful. "But . . . if we go to Grandma's as we plan, you won't be here that day."

Jana sighed. "Okay," she agreed, "but if we're around, may I please take part in the jump-a-thon? I don't even care if I don't win any prize."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a horn blower? Do you do good things because you want praise from others or want to be noticed? Or do you serve the way God wants you to, simply and generously, without expecting any reward? Don't seek recognition from others for every good thing you do. Just obey God with the right attitude. He will reward you, if not on this earth, then in heaven.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not do your charitable deeds . . . to be seen . . . otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

[Soldier4Christ]

When Kevin saw the flashing lights from a police car behind them, he got a tight, scared feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Looks like the policeman wants me to pull over," observed Mr. Casey, the neighbor with whom Kevin was riding. Mr. Casey stopped at the side of the road and rolled down his window. With lights still flashing, the police car stopped behind them.

Kevin felt a little nervous as the policeman walked up to the car and asked Mr. Casey for his driver's license. "What's the problem officer?" asked Mr. Casey as he took his license out of his wallet.

"You went through that traffic light when it was red," stated the policeman.

"I did?" Mr. Casey was startled. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't see that it was red. I'll certainly be more careful after this." Soon they were on their way again, but Mr. Casey had received a ticket and would have to pay a fine.

"I don't think it was fair for the policeman to give Mr. Casey a ticket," protested Kevin when he told his folks what had happened. "He wasn't mad, though. He said he was glad to get off so easy-that he might have had an accident instead of a ticket." Kevin shook his head. "But it still doesn't seem fair. I didn't notice that the light was red, either. I know he didn't run it on purpose. "

"That may be true," agreed Dad, "but he did go through a red light. A red light means 'stop,' and he didn't stop, so it actually is fair for him to pay the consequences." Dad smiled. "Ignore the warning; pay the consequences. Where else have you heard that lately?"

"Ah . . . oh, I remember. In Pastor Lee's message last Sunday," said Kevin. "He said Christians should expect to pay the consequences of sin if they don't pay attention to God's warnings."

"Correct," said Dad. "God gives us many instructions, and when He tells us to stop doing something, that should be like a red light to us. If we don't listen-or just don't even notice-we can expect to pay. The excuses we offer won't change the fact that we've disobeyed."

Kevin nodded. "I guess you're right," he said.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pay attention to the "red lights" God has established? He says to stop lying, stop getting angry, stop using bad words, stop being disobedient, stop sinning against Him. When you're tempted to do something you know is wrong, ask God to help you say no. Obey His "stop light," and avoid the consequences of doing the wrong thing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Put off the old man with his deeds. Colossians 3:9

[Soldier4Christ]

"Bye, Mom," called Kevin as he got out his bike. He was leaving to run an errand for his mother.

"Bye, Kev. Do be careful," said Mom. "Don't forget-you have to obey all the traffic signals, just like cars do."

"Sure, Mom. I won't forget," promised Kevin.

That evening, Kevin had a story to tell. "Know what I did?" he asked. "When I rode my bike to town and came to the traffic light at the corner of Main and Pine, I remembered Mom's warning to obey traffic signals. There weren't any cars coming, but the light was red, so I stopped and waited for it to change."

"Good for you," approved Dad.

"Yeah-but then I started looking around and thinking about something else. I forgot all about the light. When I finally looked back at it, it was just turning red-again." Kevin slapped his forehead. "I had to sit through that light, too, and wait for it to turn green. What a dummy!"

They all laughed, and Mom shook her head. "It sounds like you and Mr. Casey both need to pay more attention to traffic lights," she said. "He didn't stop when the light was red yesterday, and you didn't go when it was green today."

"Well, the second time it was green, I did! You can be sure of that," Kevin told them. He thought for a moment. "Yesterday you said some of God's commands are like red lights to us. Does God have green lights for us, too? Just like He has red ones?"

Dad nodded. "Sure He does-lots of them," he replied. "When God tells us things we should do, those are like green lights. For example, He says to tell others about Him, to be kind, to forgive others. He tells us to obey Him, to obey our parents-even to obey the laws of our land. He tells us we should love Him, first of all, and then one another as well."

"And just like we need God's help to obey the stops," added Mom, "we need His help to go and do the things He says we should do."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you pay attention to God's "green lights" as well as the red ones? In other words, do you do the things He says you should do? Do your actions show that you love Him and others? Are you witnessing for Jesus? Have you forgiven the person who hurt you? Don't "stop" when you should be "going." Do something positive today to show your love for God and for others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:14

[Soldier4Christ]

David ran after his soccer ball as it rolled into his neighbor's front yard, but he slowed to a walk when he saw Mr. Scott sitting on the porch, a newspaper in his lap. "I'm sorry, Mr. Scott," David apologized as he picked up the ball.

Mr. Scott peered over his reading glasses at David. He grunted. "Just be careful not to run over the flowerbeds," said Mr. Scott before going back to reading his paper.

"Okay," David called over his shoulder as he hurried back into his own yard. He sat down beside his mother on the porch swing. "Mom," he said, "Mr. Scott has really changed. He used to yell at us all the time, and he'd get mad and swear at us if a ball went in his yard." David rocked the swing back and forth. "It's like he's a different person," he continued. Then he grinned. "Hey! Maybe he's been invaded by a creature from outer space or something."

Mom laughed. "Well, I think in a way, you're right," she told David.

"You do?" asked David in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"He's a Christian now," Mom told him.

"I know," said David, "but what does that have to do with space creatures?"

"The Bible says that when we become Christians, God sends His Spirit to live within us and we become a new creation," Mom explained.

"You're saying the Holy Spirit is like a space creature?" asked David.

Mom smiled. "Well, not really-in fact, that's a pretty weak comparison. But when the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are changed. We're no longer the person we were before. The Holy Spirit gives us power to live the way we ought to live and do the things we ought to do. As we yield to Him, we become more and more like Jesus."

"Is that what is happening in Mr. Scott's life?" asked David.

"It looks that way," Mom replied.

"Wow!" exclaimed David. He grinned. "I wonder what Mr. Scott would say if I told him he's been invaded by someone from outer space!"

"If you explained what you meant by that, I think Mr. Scott would agree with you," Mom said with a broad smile.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a new creation? If you trust Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in you and changes you. He makes you aware of sin and causes you to feel guilty if you do wrong. He prompts you to be kind and loving and to please the Lord in all you do. Is that happening in your life? If you're not sure, turn for help to the ABCs at the end of this book. Make sure you're trusting in Jesus. Then yield to the Holy Spirit and depend on Him to help you to display characteristics God wants you to have in your life.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm home, Mom!" called Tim as he let the screen door bang behind him. He dropped his backpack on the floor, poured a glass of milk, and grabbed a couple of chocolate chip cookies from the jar. Then he perched on a stool at the kitchen counter, thinking about all the things that had gone wrong that day.

"Hi, Tim." His mother walked in and interrupted his thoughts. "How do you like my new hairdo?" She turned this way and that, patting her hair.

Tim took a drink of milk. "Looks nice, Mom," he said.

"Thank you, honey. I'm glad you like it," said Mom. She poured herself a cup of hot herbal tea and sat beside Tim. I had a permanent this afternoon, but unfortunately, a permanent isn't permanent," she said with a sigh. "After a while, it loses its curl."

"Why call it a 'permanent' then?" Tim bit into a cookie.

"Actually, I think it's misnamed. Many things we call 'permanent' don't last long." Mom sipped her tea. "Some things do-Dad's and my love for you, for instance. But even better, God's love for us is really permanent. It goes on forever."

Tim ran his fingers through his hair. "That's nice to remember after the awful day I've had."

"You've had a bad day?" asked Mom. "I'm sorry. I was so busy thinking about my permanent that I forgot to ask how your day went."

"Well, everything went wrong." Tim took a drink, then set his glass down hard. "First, I lost my science assignment, and I have to do it over. And look at my new jeans! At recess, I fell and ripped a hole in the knee. For some reason, Noah ignored me all day. I don't know why. To top it off, I don't understand my math problems."

Mom hugged him. "Oh, I'm sorry! Don't be discouraged though. I'll help with your homework and mend your jeans. And remember that God still loves you! Even when things go wrong and it seems like He's forgotten you, He really hasn't. His love is there, strong and true. He wants to help you, too."

Tim grew quiet. "Okay, Mom. Thanks for the reminder." He stepped down and pulled his math book out of his backpack. "Can we tackle these problems now?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get upset when things go wrong? You may lose something important or tear your clothes or argue with a friend. You may feel as if your teacher or your parents don't understand you. Perhaps someone close to you has abused you with words or actions. It's easy to get discouraged when bad things happen. You may forget that God loves you. But God doesn't forget you. He always loves you, whether you feel it or not, because His love is everlasting-it's permanent.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I have loved you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

[Soldier4Christ]

"Go away, Chase!" stormed Kelsey as her brother rode his bicycle through the chalk pictures she and her friend Alisha were drawing on the sidewalk in front of their apartment. Chase laughed and zoomed on down the street.

"He's an awful pest, isn't he?" asked Alisha. Kelsey nodded as she colored over the marks the tires had made. "I don't know when I've seen such an awful kid," continued Alisha.

"He's not all that bad," replied Kelsey.

"He should grounded for life or something to keep him in line," grumbled Alisha. "He's too much!"

"He just likes to tease." Kelsey quickly came to the defense of her brother. "He's a good kid most of the time."

"I can't stand him," Alisha said. "Oh, look, here he comes. If he's going to bother us again, I'll . . ." She was interrupted when . . . CRASH! The front tire of Chase's bike caught in a piece of loose cement. Instantly the bike flipped over on its side. Chase fell with it, tangled in the handlebars and spokes. He started to cry. "It serves him right, for teasing us," said Alisha.

"Alisha!" exclaimed Kelsey. "Chase is hurt."

"Too bad! I'm going home," said Alisha.

As Alisha stormed off, Kelsey helped Chase into the house and watched as her mother washed and bandaged his scrapes. "Alisha's obnoxious!" fumed Kelsey after she explained what had happened. "I don't think I'll play with her anymore."

"Why did you stand up for Chase?" asked Mom. "You often criticize him yourself, you know."

Kelsey shrugged. "That's different," she said. "He's my brother. I love him."

Mom smiled. "And the Bible says love covers a 'multitude of sins.' I'm glad you defended him, but don't be too angry with Alisha. Since you're both Christians, you're both part of God's family. That makes her your sister in the Lord."

   "So I should love and forgive her, too, just like I do Chase?" asked Kelsey.

   "That's right," agreed Mom. "It doesn't mean you have to listen to her criticize your brother, but it does mean you should be patient and forgive her like Jesus forgave you."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you love all of God's family-your brothers and sisters in the Lord? The Bible says love covers a multitude of sins. Jesus loves you and was willing to die in your place. He invites you to trust in Him and let His perfect love cover all the wrong you have done. He gave this command to His disciples:  "Love each other as I have loved you." Do you do that? Are you willing to overlook differences of opinion? To forgive when you feel hurt? To simply love others the way Jesus loves you?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

[Soldier4Christ]

Laura excitedly walked her first "two-wheeler" bicycle from the store to the car. "We'll put the training wheels on when we get home," Dad said as he loaded it into the back of the van. "I'll help you learn to ride, too."

"I don't need training wheels! I can learn to ride all by myself," protested Laura. She pictured herself zooming around the block, pretending she was on a beautiful horse. "Since I can't have a horse, I'll pretend my bike is one. I'll name it Candy Apple because it's red."

As soon as they got home, Laura wheeled the new bike to the front sidewalk. She put one foot on a pedal and shoved off. She lifted her other foot, but she started to tip over and had to put her feet back on the ground. Again and again, Laura tried to ride the bike, but it kept tipping over. She choked back tears. I'm never going to learn! she thought.

Just then Dad arrived and grabbed the tilting handlebars. "Looks like you could use a helping hand with this bucking bronco. Whoa, Candy Apple!"

"Daddy, I can't keep my balance," Laura admitted. "Maybe I do need training wheels after all."

"I guess you're right," Dad said. "Let's take the bike to the garage and put them on."

After Dad attached the training wheels, Laura eagerly got on the bike again. She pedaled slowly at first, then faster and faster down the block. On the way back, she waved. "Look, Dad! I can ride!"

Dad grinned. "You're doing great!"

Later, Laura and her father sat on the front steps and ate crisp apples. "Thanks for helping me, Daddy," said Laura. "I guess I wasn't very smart to think I could ride my bike all by myself right away."

"A lot of us try to handle problems by ourselves when we really need help," said Dad. "Sometimes I do that, too."

Laura looked surprised. "You do?"

"Yes." Dad grinned at her. "Sometimes I get busy trying to work out problems by myself, and I forget that God is interested in them, too, and wants to help me with them." He motioned toward the bike. "So . . . let Candy Apple remind you that your heavenly Father wants to help you with every problem."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What problem are you trying to handle by yourself? Poor grades? Being "picked on"? Not getting along with brothers and sisters? Being scolded often? Ask your heavenly Father for help, and then trust Him to show you what to do. Perhaps you need to study harder, to be kind when others are unkind, to cheerfully do your chores at home. God may change your circumstances and remove your problems, or He may simply help you handle them. Either way, depend on Him and trust Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's so dark out," said Kathy as she and her brother Josh stumbled along the path through the woods. They had been visiting with some friends who were camping just a little way down from their own campsite.

"Yeah," agreed Josh, "but at least we don't have far to go. We're almo . . ." His words were cut off as he caught his toe on a tree root and fell. "Ow-w-w!" he yelled.

Kathy reached down to help him up. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah . . . but I think I skinned my knee a little," said Josh, brushing himself off. "We'd better not go quite so fast." Kathy agreed, and the two of them moved slowly and carefully along until they reached the camp where their parents were waiting.

"We could hear you two coming," said Mom. "We heard a yell. Did someone fall?"

"Josh did," replied Kathy, "but he's not hurt much. It was so dark we couldn't see."

"You had your pocket flashlight with you," said Dad. "Why didn't you use it?"

"My flashlight!" exclaimed Josh. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. "I forgot I had it," he admitted. Everyone laughed.

"Can I have a Band Aid for my knee?" asked Josh.

"Sure," agreed Mom. "I'll get one for you."

"You kids remind me of a lot of people," observed Dad while Mom cleaned Josh's knee and placed the Band Aid on it. "They have a light for their path, but they either forget to use it, or they just don't bother."

"Really?" asked Kathy. "Who else did that?"

"Probably somebody else with a pocket flashlight, right?" suggested Josh.

Dad shook his head. "I'm talking about Christians who fail to read their Bibles," he said. "God says His Word is a light to our paths to show us how to live, but it doesn't do any good if we don't use it." Dad picked up his own Bible. "Gather 'round now," he added. "It's time for devotions."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you read your Bible regularly? It contains many truths and principles to help you in your daily life. It has a lot of practical advice. But unless you use it, it can't help you. Don't stumble along in the dark. Use your Bible every day and follow the light it gives.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

[Soldier4Christ]

"Can you sleep at our camp site tonight?" Josh asked his friend Ben after eating dinner with Ben's family. "My mom says it's okay with her."

"Can I, Mom?" Ben looked over at his mother. "Then I won't wake you when I get up early to go fishing."

Ben's mother laughed. "Take your sleeping bag and run along," she agreed. "It's already dark."

Soon the boys were on their way. Josh snapped on his flashlight. "Last night I left this thing in my pocket all the way home, but I'm not going to make the same dumb mistake twice!" he said as he led the way. "Can you see okay, Ben?" Josh turned back to light Ben's path.

As the boys walked along, Josh continued to leave the beam of light on the path behind him, making sure Ben could see. "Last night I fell over a tree root," began Josh, "and I don't want . . . oops!" Down he went, and the flashlight went flying into a bush. After the boys recovered it, Josh turned to Ben. "Walk up here with me so we can both see where we're going," mumbled Josh.

When they arrived at the campsite, Josh's family was waiting. "We saw your light and heard a crash," said Mom. "What happened this time?"

"Fell again, didn't you?" teased Kathy. "Even though you were using the flashlight? What's the problem? Maybe you need glasses."

When they had heard the story, Dad smiled. "Do you know who you remind me of tonight?" he asked. Josh shook his head. "You were using your flashlight this time, but you were pointing it on somebody else's path," said Dad. "You remind me of people who come to church and hear God's Word being preached, and they think, I hope so-and-so is listening. He really needs this. Or maybe they read something from the Bible but apply it to another person's life. They fail to see that they need it themselves."

"So the moral of the story is . . ." began Kathy dramatically, "you need to shine the light-from your flashlight and your Bible-on your own path and life. That's the way to keep from falling!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you notice that today's Scripture is the same as yesterday's? Read it again, and emphasize the words "I," "my," and "me." Then when you read other passages in the Bible, apply what you've read to yourself. If you read "Children, obey your parents," check on how well you obey. If you read "Be kind to one another," think of what you should do. When you hear a sermon on how Christians should "love one another," remember that what God says is for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

[Soldier4Christ]

As fire swept through the wheat field, Paige watched in horror. "We've lost the crop, haven't we, Mom?" she asked in a shaky voice.

Mom nodded. "Yes," she said, "I'm afraid so. The fire fighters concluded that the fire started in a vacant field. They think some kids were playing with matches. One little match used carelessly certainly can cause a lot of damage."

"I'm just thankful we were able to keep the fire from spreading to any other fields or to the buildings," commented Dad.

"I hope the police find out who started it and punish them," Paige stated angrily.

That evening as the family discussed the events of the day, the phone rang. Paige answered the call. After telling her friend Rachel about the fire, the girls talked about other things that had happened recently. When Paige hung up the phone, Mom looked at her thoughtfully. "The fire this afternoon was pretty destructive," said Mom. but I'm afraid you may have started a fire that's even worse."

"What?" Paige was shocked. "I never in my whole life started a fire!"

"I'm talking about the things you told Rachel about someone cheating on a test," Mom replied.

"Well, Mom, there's a new girl at school who must have cheated to get a good grade on our history test. I was only warning Rachel," Paige defended herself. "Besides, I'm not the first one to say it. Someone else said she probably cheats."

"Paige, you said very unkind things about a girl you don't even know," scolded Mom. "You're not sure she cheated. But rumors spread like a fire and can ruin reputations. You just helped spread one."

"But, Mom," Paige protested. "I was just . . ."

". . . keeping a fire going," Mom finished. "The book of James says our tongues are like a fire, Paige. Think of the damage your careless words can do. I hope you'll call Rachel and make an effort to put out the fire you just helped spread."

As Paige looked out the window at the charred wheat field, she suddenly felt very guilty. She remembered her own anger over the result of someone's careless actions. She realized that the things she said-the rumors she had shared with Rachel-could get out of control just as easily as that fire had. Paige rose from the table and reached for the phone.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you use your tongue? Are you aware of how much influence it has? Of how much damage your tongue can do when you use it to say unkind things or to spread gossip and rumors that hurt other people? On the other hand, it can be used for good-to bless God and others. How is your tongue used? God says a mouth that is used to bless and praise Him should not be used to hurt others.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Let the words of my mouth . . . be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. Psalm 19:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Paul and his parents munched freshly made caramel corn as they wandered around at the Harvest Fair. "Well, Paul," said Dad, "today you can take three rides. What would you like to try? The ferris wheel? Or maybe bumper cars?"

"I don't know yet," said Paul as they stopped beside the merry-go-round. "This one," he suddenly decided. "I want to ride this one."

Soon he was in line, waiting to get on, and when the attendant opened the gate, Paul found a handsome horse to ride. As the merry-go-round turned and picked up speed, he jiggled the reins and bounced in the saddle. The ride ended all too soon. "That's my favorite ride!" he exclaimed as he rejoined his parents. "I want to use the rest of my tickets for the merry-go-round, too."

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to try something else?" Dad asked.

Paul shook his head. "No, I want to ride the merry-go-round again." He got in line and bought two more tickets.

Later, Paul walked over to the bench where Mom and Dad waited with cups of apple cider, and he flopped down. "I think I should have tried something else," he said with a sigh. "After the first ride, I got a little bored." He took a long drink.

"Why was that?" Dad asked.

"I guess because it wasn't a real horse," said Paul. "It didn't go anywhere-just round and round. It's fun for a while, but it's all more of the same thing."

Mom nodded thoughtfully. "Lots of people keep doing that-going in circles, getting bored with what they're doing," she observed.

"They do? You mean on the merry-go-round?" asked Paul in surprise.

"No, I mean in life," said Mom. "Without Jesus, it's kind of like we're going in circles, always looking for something better."

Dad nodded. "Kids like you do that, too," he told Paul. "Kids often think they'll be happy if they can have the popular toys or brands of clothing. They think taking part in certain activities will satisfy them. They try one thing after another-even things like drugs or alcohol-but it's like they're going in circles. They need to know that only Jesus can make them truly happy."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel as if you're always looking for something better? Do you think you'll be satisfied if you can just have a certain toy or video game or bike? Or if you get the latest haircut or buy designer clothes or popular shoes? Those things won't bring lasting happiness. You'll soon want something else. So stop "going in circles," trying one thing after another. Turn to Jesus. He's the only one who can make you truly happy. Trust in Him today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mom, guess what happened?" called Mike as he rushed into the house after school. "My teacher's hopping mad!" He tossed his baseball cap on a chair and reached for an apple. "Tim and Pete think it's funny. I'll bet they're the guilty ones." Mike took a bite and headed for his room.

Mom stopped him. "Whoa!" she said. "Guilty of what?"

"Stealing Mrs. Cook's grade book," said Mike. "She has this book where she records our grades, and she can't find it. She's sure somebody took it, because she had it this morning. She looked in every drawer of her desk and under every pile of papers. It just disappeared! She hasn't decided what to do about it, but if she finds out who took it, that person will be in big trouble." He stopped, out of breath. "Just think-all our grades are lost!" Mike rolled his eyes, took another bite of apple, and went to change his clothes.

During supper, Mike told Dad about the missing grade book. "I guess we can't get report cards if she doesn't find it," decided Mike. "And it's almost the end of the school year already!"

Mom passed the mashed potatoes. "Oh, I think Mrs. Cook will manage to come up with grades. They may not be totally accurate, but I'm sure she'll do her best."

"Well, I hope she remembers I got an A on my last history test." Mike helped himself to meat loaf. "Some kids are mad about it, and some think it's funny-especially those who always get bad grades."

"I guess people who do poorly always like to have their grades canceled or forgotten," said Dad.

After they finished eating, Dad reached for his Bible. "Read for us tonight, will you, Mike? How about First Corinthians, the third chapter? Start with verse nine."

Mike took the Bible. "Wow!" he said when he had read the verses. "It sounds like God is keeping records, too. It says, 'Each one's work will become clear,' and that those whose work lasts will receive a reward."

Dad nodded. "That's right, and you can be sure no one will be able to steal or destroy God's 'grade book.' His records are accurate, and He will reward us if we please Him and do His will."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of "grade" do you think God would give you today? Were you kind to your schoolmates? Did you tell someone about Jesus? Did you obey your teacher and do your best with your assignments? Did you show love to your brothers and sisters? Did you help and obey your parents? Did you do your chores? If you live to please the Lord, some day He will reward you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Kadie makes me so mad! Tammy fumed as she walked home from Kadie's house. The two friends had argued, and Tammy thought of some things she wished she had said to Kadie-and they weren't nice. So as soon as she got home, she scribbled an angry note to her friend, marched to the corner mailbox, and dropped it in. That'll fix her, she thought.

But as Tammy began to walk back to her home, she remembered what a good friend Kadie had been for a very long time. I shouldn't have sent that letter, she thought. Maybe I can get it back. Turning around, she ran to the mailbox. She pulled open the slot and tried to reach her arm inside. That didn't work. "Oh, no," she whispered. "It's gone for good."

When Tammy got home, she sat down on a stool at the kitchen counter and told her mother what she had done. "I don't know why I sent that letter. I was so mad, I wasn't thinking straight. How can I get it back?"

Mom tore lettuce into a salad bowl as she prepared supper. "Sorry, honey," she said, "but you can't."

"Maybe I could wait for the mailman to pick up the mail tomorrow," suggested Tammy. "He could find it and give it back to me."

Mom shook her head. "No, once we mail something, we can't get it back. No one can interfere with the U.S. mail. You should have thought twice before you sent that letter."

"But, Mom," wailed Tammy, "then what can I do?"

Mom hugged her tearful daughter. "Call Kadie and apologize. Why not invite her over to play?"

Tammy blew her nose. "Okay," she agreed. "I can do that."

"And, honey," said Mom, "always remember that just like you can't take back the letter, we can't take back any part of our lives."

"What do you mean?" asked Tammy.

"God has given us a certain number of days in which to live," Mom said. "He lets us choose the words we say, the thoughts we think, and the things we do. But once we say, think, or do them, we can't take them back again. Just like you can't get that letter back and rewrite it, we can't live any part of our lives over."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you careful about things you do and words you say? Have you done something mean when you were angry? Maybe you've fought with your brothers or sisters, argued with your parents, or hurt your friends' feelings. You can't take back those words or actions, but you can tell people you're sorry and ask their forgiveness. Consider each day a gift from God. Ask for His help to live it carefully. Then at the end of the day, you can be glad, knowing you've done what you should.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:12

[Soldier4Christ]

Sharon caught up with her brother on the way home from school. "Hey, Scott! I heard you had an oral quiz in math today," she said. "Brad told me you didn't know very many of the answers."

"Yeah, but that's not the worst of it. I didn't turn in a couple homework assignments last week," confessed Scott. "Now Mr. Briggs is making me stay in every recess until I get my work caught up, and I've got to take this note home to Mom and Dad." Scott shoved a paper into Sharon's hand.

Sharon read the message. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "You're in trouble!"

As expected, Scott's parents were greatly displeased when they read the note. "Before you went out to play yesterday, I asked if your homework was finished, and you told me it was," said Mom. "How do you explain that?"

"Uh . . . I guess I thought I'd get by without doing it," Scott admitted, "but now I have to stay in at recess."

"In addition, you'll be grounded for the rest of the week for lying to your mother," said Dad sternly.

That evening, it was Sharon's turn to read the Bible aloud for family devotions. They were beginning the book of James. "Well," said Dad, after she read the first chapter, "it looks like we all should be sure to do our homework assignments from God."

"Homework assignments from God?" asked Scott. "God gives us homework?"

"In a way." Dad nodded. "Mr. Briggs said, 'Do these pages,' but you didn't do them. God says, 'Be doers of My Word.' If we don't do what He says, we've failed in the assignment He's given us."

"Yeah, Scott," said Sharon. "When you didn't do your math, you failed one of God's assignments-to obey those who have authority over you. And when you told Mom your homework was done, you failed His command to be honest."

"Hold it!" said Dad. "I'm sure each of us can think of areas where we need to do the 'homework' assigned to us by the Lord. So let's not pick on anyone else. Let's look at our own lives and see what God wants of us."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you heard the commands "obey," "be kind," "be a friend," "pray"? These are just a few of the commands-the assignments-God gives His children. Are you doing them? Can you think of some others? Obedience to God's commands is important. Do your "spiritual homework." Don't just hear God's Word. Obey it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

[Soldier4Christ]

David and his friend Matt looked around the playground on their first day in second grade. Matt noticed two empty swings. "Hey! Let's go swing!" he said.

"Okay!" David agreed.

The boys ran toward the swings, and as they got closer, David realized that one swing was higher than the other. I want that high one, he thought. It'll go a lot higher than the low one. So he ran as fast as he could and grabbed the higher swing. The boys scrambled onto the swing seats and pumped themselves higher and higher into the air. After a few minutes, David looked at Matt and frowned. Matt's going higher than I am, he thought, so he pumped harder. But no matter how hard David worked, he could see that Matt was getting a better swing ride than he was.

At dinner that evening, David told his family all about his first day at school. "We played on the swings at recess time," he said. Then he frowned. "I thought the high swing would go higher than the lower one. Why didn't it?"

"Well, the lower swing has longer chains, so it can swing out further," Dad explained. "I don't think it actually gives you a higher ride, but it does give you a longer one." He smiled at David. "I suppose you picked the high one, thinking you were getting the best one, right?" David nodded.

"That's a little like the verse I learned this week for my ladies' Bible study group," commented Mom as she cut some juicy apple pie for dessert. "It says when we humble ourselves, the Lord will lift us up. The swings lifted you and Matt up, David, and the lower one gave a better ride than the other. I think the lower swing compares with a humble person-the kind of person God will lift up."

"How do we humble ourselves?" asked David.

Dad smiled. "The word is 'humble,' and when we humble ourselves, we put Jesus and other people ahead of ourselves," he explained. "Most people think they'll be happy with the 'first,' the 'best,' the 'biggest,' or the 'most' things in life, but the Bible doesn't teach that. Jesus humbled himself when He put us first and came to earth and died on the cross for us. When we follow His example and truly put Him and others first, God honors that and blesses us for it."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you put others ahead of yourself? Or are you often interested in getting the best for yourself? That's being selfish. The Bible teaches that Christians should be humble as Jesus was. God will lift you up by blessing your life as you put Him and others ahead of yourself.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10