Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

"I was invited to join the Kool Kats Klub," Alex proudly announced one night. "Ain't that cool?"

"Isn't that cool," corrected Mom. "I don't know. What do these 'Kats' do?"

Alex shrugged. "They have meetings and talk and . . . and do stuff together," he said vaguely. "I don't really know them, but it sounds pretty cool to me."

"Better check them out before you decide to join them," suggested Dad.

Again Alex shrugged as he looked at the plate of food his mother set before him. "What is this?" he asked. He wrinkled his nose as he sniffed at the food.

"It's a new recipe," said Mom. "It's called Continental Chicken. That sounds cool to me! Eat it up."

"I'll check it out," said Alex doubtfully. " He took a very small bite-then tried a little more. "This is good," he decided, "but I don't like the mushrooms. Do I have to eat them?"

Mom nodded. "I gave you only a few. If you want another helping of that dish, you can avoid the mushrooms."

"You checked out the food so you could take what you found to be good and avoid what didn't taste good to you," observed Dad. "That's what the Bible tells us to do. In Thessalonians, Paul says to test-or check out-all things and keep what's good."

Alex nodded. "That's what I did, right?" he said.

Dad smiled. "Yes . . . but I don't think the Apostle Paul was so concerned about food. I think he was warning us about jumping into activities we haven't checked out."

"You mean like the Kool Kats," said Alex. "Okay, I'll check it."

The next day, Alex was rather quiet. "I learned that the Kool Kats aren't so cool," he reported. "One of them showed me a magazine he was taking to the meeting. It was bad! Really bad! Then he let it slip that they buy cigarettes with part of the club money." Alex frowned. "I wondered why they invited me to join, but one of the guys said they invite almost everybody just to collect more dues money. I'm glad I found out what they're like before I turned over half of my allowance to them."

   "So am I," agreed Dad. "I'm glad you took the Apostle Paul's advice."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you check out things to see if they're good before you get involved in them?  Before you decide to join a club, read a popular book, or buy the CD the kids are raving about, do you discuss it with your parents or other responsible adults? Do you try to determine if it will do you harm or good? If you find it involves bad language or immoral scenes, do you avoid it? If you learn that it's an activity that honors and respects God, do you take part in it? Check it out. Participate in only the good.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Test all things; hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

[Soldier4Christ]

"Our youth speaker talked about witnessing at school, but he doesn't understand. I can't witness there," Robby told his mother as he prepared potting soil for his school project.

"You can't?" Mom asked, glancing curiously at Robby.

Robby shook his head. "None of the Christians I know witness there. It's just not a good place to talk about the Lord," he said as he brushed dirt off his hands. "The kids laugh if you try." He decided to change the subject. "Can we go to the store now and get the oranges I need for my project?"

"Sure," replied Mom. "I'll get my purse."

After they arrived at the grocery store, Robby and his mother headed for the produce department. "All I can find are seedless oranges," said Robby after a few minutes. "I need to have orange seeds for my project."

"Let's ask the produce manager if he has the kind with seeds," suggested Mom.

When they inquired, the manager shook his head. "Sorry," he said, "but they haven't come in yet this week."

"All seedless oranges," Robby complained in frustration as he and Mom left the store. "How's a guy supposed to grow an orange tree without seeds?"

Mom laughed. "That would be a trick!" she said. She looked at Robby. "You know," she added thoughtfully, "I wonder if the Lord might be feeling as sad as you."

"Because all the oranges are seedless?" Robby asked. "I don't think so."

"No." Mom shook her head. "Because your school seems to have only seedless Christians."

"Seedless Christians?" echoed Robby. "I don't get it."

"You said none of the Christian kids witness at school," said Mom. "None of them plant the seeds of the Gospel."

"Oh-h-h-h." Robby was beginning to "get it."

You actually have the seeds of God's Word," continued Mom, "but as long as you refuse to scatter them-as long as you don't witness-it's as though you're a seedless Christian. You're no help to the unsaved."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you scatter the "seed" of the Word of God? Do you witness for Him at school? Do you tell the kids in your neighborhood about Jesus? God doesn't promise that it will be easy, but He does promise that it will eventually bring results. Let Him spread the Gospel through you. He will bless you as you do that


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He who . . . goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall . . . come again with rejoicing. Psalm 126:6

[Soldier4Christ]

 Your Burning Bush

"We had a story about Moses in Sunday school today," said Kelly as the family sat down to Sunday dinner. "We learned that God talked to him from a burning bush and told him what he was supposed to do. Our teacher says God still speaks to people."

Kevin jabbed his fork into a potato. "Maybe, but not through anything as interesting as a burning bush," he said. "I'd like to see one of those-and I don't mean the kind that has red leaves in the fall! I mean one that's really on fire!"

"Yeah!" agreed Kelly. "Imagine one of Mom's best bushes on fire and God speaking to us out of it!"

Mom smiled. "Make it a bush way at the back of the yard, will you?" she said. "We don't want to burn the house down!" They all laughed.

"You know, it doesn't require a real burning bush for God to speak to us," observed Dad. "That bush was the 'attention getter'-the thing that caught Moses' attention. It was when he took the trouble to check it out that God spoke to him. If our eyes and ears and hearts are open to what God has for us, He can catch our attention and speak to us through a lot of different situations or people."

"I suppose so," admitted Kevin, "but I still think it would be cool to have a burning bush!"

"Maybe you have one," said Dad. "What about Jon's wheelchair?" Jon, who was the son of some new neighbors, had been in a bad accident the year before. Now he was confined to a wheelchair.

Kevin looked surprised. "What do you mean, Dad?" he asked. "I don't get it. What does Jon's wheelchair have to do with me?"

"Maybe that's your 'burning bush'-your call to attention," suggested Dad. Kevin looked a bit startled. "Jon is often on his front porch when you go to play with your friends, and I've seen him watching you with a hopeful look in his eyes," explained Dad. "Maybe God wants you to go over to Jon, stop a while, talk to him, and help ease his loneliness. He might even like you to wheel him down to the park to watch your games. Maybe if you do that, God will speak to you through him. What do you think?"

Slowly, Kevin nodded. "Okay, I'll find out," he decided.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought that God no longer speaks to people? He speaks, first of all, through His Word-the Bible. He also speaks in other ways. He often uses circumstances and people you meet from day to day. So look, listen, and ask questions. God told Moses what to do, and He'll surely show you also. Is there an unpopular child in your class? A lonely person in your neighborhood? Is your own brother or sister in need of your loving support? These may be your "burning bushes."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight why the bush does not burn." Exodus 3:3

[Soldier4Christ]

"Are we almost there?" asked Brittany eagerly. She and her family were on their way to a cottage near Sunshine Lake. "I can hardly wait to get there!" added Brittany. "We haven't been on a real vacation for ages!"

"I know." Mom nodded. "We've been so busy getting your dad's business started and redecorating the house. Then with piano lessons, Little League games, housework, and homework, it's hard to find a time when we're all free to take a vacation. I'm glad we're getting a few days together before school starts."

When they arrived at the cottage, Brittany and her brother Cameron helped Dad unpack the car. The smaller children played on the swing set in the yard, and Mom swept and dusted inside the cottage.

"Who's hungry?" asked Mom when they had finished their work.

"I am!" exclaimed Cameron. "I'm starving!"

"Me, too," said Brittany.

Dad grinned. "'Starving' might be a slight exaggeration," he said, "but 'hungry' definitely is not."

Mom smiled and got out some barbecue and buns. She put the meat in a pan and turned on the burner. Then she plugged in the coffeepot. "How about some macaroni and cheese with your barbecues?" she suggested as she turned on another burner. Immediately, all the lights went off. "Oh, no! I must have blown a fuse," moaned Mom.

Dad, got up and went to find the fuse box. "Looks to me like there are too many things on one of the circuits," he reported when he came back. "We'll have to turn off a few lights when we want to use the stove."

"You know," said Mom thoughtfully after they had finished eating, "that overloaded fuse reminds me of our family lately. I think we're overloaded, too. We've been so busy that we don't have much time to spend together anymore."

Dad nodded. "Let's take time during this vacation to evaluate our activities and see which ones we could cut out of our schedules," he suggested. Dad turned to Cameron. "How about getting my Bible from the shelf over there, Son? Let's have family devotions right now-that's one activity we should always take time for."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been too busy lately? Make a list of things you do, and put the really important ones first. Be sure to put daily devotions near the top, along with time spent with your family, proper rest, and wholesome meals. And don't forget your homework! Make sure those things get done first. If there isn't time for everything on your list, decide which ones can be omitted or done another time. Don't allow your schedule to get overloaded. Jesus recognized the need for "quiet time." We need that, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
And He (Jesus) said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Mark 6:31

[Soldier4Christ]

"This meal looks delicious," said Mike's father, as the family began to eat. There was a twinkle in Dad's eye as he added, "Please pass the watermelon, Mike."

Mike paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. "Watermelon?" he asked, looking around. "What watermelon?"

"Right there in that bowl in front of you," said Dad.

Mike looked at the bowl heaped full of golden squash. He was about to protest when he suddenly understood. "Oh, sure, Dad. Here's the watermelon." Mike laughed as he passed the bowl of squash.

"I don't get it," Mike's sister Melanie said with a frown. "That's squash. Why are you calling it watermelon?"

Dad grinned and waited for Mike to explain, but Mike got busy eating and pretended to not hear the question. "Well . . . ah . . ." he began when Melanie repeated the question, "well, I just made a little mistake when we were planting the garden, that's all-but Dad won't let me forget it."

Melanie looked at her father. "What did he do?" she asked.

"Mike wanted to grow watermelons," explained Dad, "and I told him he was using squash seeds. But would he believe me? Oh, no! He insisted they were watermelon seeds."

"It was a perfectly understandable mistake," murmured Mike. "They look a lot alike."

"Mike told me if I'd just be patient and wait until they grew, I'd see for myself," continued Dad. "I waited . . . and here's the finished product." As Dad held up the bowl of squash, Mike laughed good-naturedly with the rest of the family.

"Whatever a man sows," murmured Mom, "is what he'll also reap. That principle is true, both in a garden and in life. We all need to be careful to sow the right kind of seeds."   

"Especially in life," agreed Dad. "If we sow evil deeds, we can expect to reap evil and sorrow. If we sow good things, we can expect to reap the joy and blessings that follow them."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are you sowing in your life? Are you sowing such things as selfishness, lies, and disrespect for authority? Or are you sowing good "seeds" such as obedience, cheerful giving, and reverence for the things of God? The things you do now-good or bad-may seem small and unimportant to you. But your actions are like seeds, and even little seeds grow. Whatever you sow, you will reap. Make sure the things you're sowing now will bring you joy and happiness later.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Galatians 6:7

[Soldier4Christ]

"Let's see . . . Mrs. Garcia ordered four boxes of chocolate chip cookies, Aunt Alice wants one box of oatmeal raisin and one box of double chocolate delight, and Mrs. Jones ordered three boxes of sugar cookies," murmured Leslie. She was taking part in a fund raiser for her school and had sold cookies to several families in her neighborhood. Leslie carefully finished filling out her order form and took it to school the next day.

When the cookies arrived, Leslie double-checked the boxes with her list to make sure the orders were right. Then she went to deliver the cookies to the people who had ordered them.

When Leslie stopped at the Garcias' home, Mrs. Garcia came to the door. "Here you are," said Leslie. "Four boxes of chocolate chip cookies."

"Hooray! Cookies!" exclaimed the Garcias' little boy, Jorge. Mrs. Garcia handed him a cookie from a box she had just opened.

Nathan, who lived next door, came running up as Leslie got back on her bike. "Oh-h-h!" he exclaimed when he saw what she had. "I want cookies, too!"

Leslie knew the little boy well. Not only were they neighbors, but his family attended the same church as her family. "I'm sorry, Nathan," said Leslie after checking her list, "but I don't see your parents' name here." She smiled at him. "I'm still taking orders, so ask your mom or dad if they'd like to buy some cookies."

Nathan's dad was working in the yard, and he walked over. "I heard that, and we sure would like some, wouldn't we, Nathan?" he said with a grin. Nathan nodded eagerly.

"All right!" said Leslie. "Then your name will be on my next list, Nathan, and you'll get cookies, too."

"Your list of names makes me think of Pastor Holt's message last Sunday morning," said Nathan's dad. "Do you remember it? Pastor Holt reminded us that when we die and face God, He'll look to see if our names are written in heaven. Our names need to be on God's list."

"And if they are, we get to go to heaven," said Leslie. She smiled at Nathan. "That's one list you want to be sure your name is on!" she added.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your name on God's list? That's a very important question because only those whose names are written in heaven will spend eternity there. The time to accept Christ is today-right now! Don't wait another minute. Admit your sin and trust in Jesus, who took sin's punishment for you. Then your name will be written in the Book of Life in heaven.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

[Soldier4Christ]

Eric eagerly tore open the envelope he had received in the mail. "Here's the pencil I ordered," he said. "See-it has my name on it." Eric pointed to his name, stamped in gold, on the side of the pencil. His little sister Caryn, reached for the pencil, but Eric pulled it back. "You can't use it," he said. "This pencil cost me money, and nobody gets to use it but me."

"I can use it, too," insisted Caryn. "Can't I, Mommy?"

"Maybe Eric will let you use it later," said Mom, "but not right now. I'm sure he'll let you look at it though, won't you, Eric?"

   Reluctantly, Eric handed Caryn the pencil. "I want to write with it," she declared stubbornly.

"Well, you can't," said Eric, taking the pencil back.

Caryn pouted. "Can, too," she said. "I'll ask Daddy." And when their father came home, she did just that. "Eric has to share with me, doesn't he?" she asked. "I can use the pencil, too, and I want to use it right now!"

Caryn was disappointed to see her father shaking his head. "It's Eric's pencil," said Dad. "He paid for it and his name is on it, so he's in control. He has the right to say if or when you may use it."

"Hey, that's like my lesson last Sunday," said Eric. "Mr. Wyatt, my teacher, says God bought us and we belong to Him. Our lives are in His hands."

"Good point," agreed Dad. He smiled at Eric. "This pencil can remind you of that. Just like you bought the pencil, making it yours, God bought you, making you His. It cost you a little money to buy the pencil, but it cost the blood of Jesus to purchase your salvation."

Mom nodded. "Your name is stamped on the pencil, marking it as your own," she said. "Since you're trusting in Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within you, marking you as a Christian."

"Always remember that you belong to God," added Dad. "Think about what He would want you to do as you face various situations each day, and give Him control of your life.."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Then the Holy Spirit lives within you and marks you as a Christian-someone who belongs to God. So don't allow the world to "use" you. Don't be guilty of the negative things listed in today's Scripture reading. In short, don't do the things Satan wants you to do. He has no claim on you. You belong to God-allow Him to guide you. Live to please Him by following the positive things in today's Scripture.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you . . . and you are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19

[Soldier4Christ]

"Are you ready for Bible club this afternoon?" asked Eric's mother one morning, "or should you learn your memory verse before you go out to play?"

Eric looked at the ball and mitt in his hand, then at his mother. "I don't mind going to Bible club and church and everything, but they sure take a lot of time every week," he grumbled. "Now I have to learn a verse, and tomorrow I have junior choir practice. Why can't we just go to church on Sunday and be done with it? I hardly have time to play!"

"Eric, you had plenty of time to learn that verse last night," said Mom, "but you chose to play a game on the computer. It's not like you never get to play." With a sigh, Eric headed toward his room.

A few moments later, Mom heard angry voices. "Give that to me, Caryn," demanded Eric. "It's mine." Mom couldn't hear Caryn's reply, but she heard sounds of a scuffle. She hurried to see what was causing the problem.

"Caryn's got my pencil," explained Eric. His little sister looked guilty as she stared at him defiantly, hands behind her back.

"Give me the pencil," ordered Mom, and Caryn reluctantly handed it over. Mom looked at Eric's name stamped on it. "Well, Eric," she said, "suppose I break this in half and give you each a piece. Would that be all right with you?"

"Yeah!" said Caryn eagerly. "Do that, Mommy."   

"No way!" Eric said quickly. "Breaking it in half would ruin it. The whole pencil is mine!"

"Eric is right," Mom agreed, handing the pencil to him. "It's his-the whole thing." She saw Eric's Bible and Sunday school workbook on the floor. "The pencil belongs to you, Eric, and you belong to God. Not just half of you-half of your talents, money, and time-but all of you. It wouldn't be right to give God only half. That's why just going to church and Sunday school really isn't all we should do. I believe God wants us to get involved in activities that please Him."

Slowly, Eric nodded his head. "Like church activities, right?" he asked. "And like learning my verse. Okay." He picked up his Bible and workbook. Then Eric looked at the pencil. "And like being nice to my sister at home," he added with a grin. "Here, Caryn. You can use my pencil for a little while."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Could you be called a "Sunday Christian"? Do you want to do things your own way the rest of the week? Do you want to go to heaven but serve the Lord only when it's convenient for you? If you're a Christian, you belong to God, and He wants you to love and serve Him with your whole heart. Ask Him to help you do that each day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12

[Soldier4Christ]

"Amber!" exclaimed Travis. "You messed up our puzzle."

"I help," insisted Amber, stirring the pieces around.

"Tell you what," said Beth as she took an easy puzzle from a shelf. "You work this puzzle. Ours is too hard for you." She helped three-year-old Amber get started on the easier puzzle.

Travis and Beth enjoyed watching their puzzle picture develop. Then trouble started again. "Amber, that piece belongs in your puzzle, not in this one!" protested Beth as the little girl tried to fit a piece from her puzzle into the one her brother and sister were doing.

"Here, Amber. Help me open these letters." Mom had just come in with the mail. While Amber struggled with one envelope, Mom opened another. "Oh, dear," she said. "A wedding invitation. Your cousin Paula is getting married, and in this case, I'm afraid it isn't good news. Dave, her fiance, isn't a Christian."

"No, but Paula told me he said he'd go to church with her after they're married," replied Beth. "She's sure he'll be saved soon."

"Yeah, and he's really a nice guy," added Travis.

"Well, I hope and pray Dave will become a Christian," said Mom, "but they're starting out in disobedience to God's command. He says Christians should not be 'unequally yoked' with unbelievers."

"Amber, don't do that!" exclaimed Travis as his little sister once again tried to fit a puzzle piece into the wrong puzzle.

Mom shook her head as she steered the little girl back to her own puzzle. "Pieces from two different puzzles don't fit together," she said, "and a believer and an unbeliever don't fit well together, either. That's especially true regarding marriage, which is a lifetime relationship, but it's also true regarding business and friendships."

"That's why you don't like me to spend too much time with Brett?" asked Travis.

Mom nodded. "You can be friends, but your best friends should be Christians. And when you're old enough to date, all your dates should be Christians."

   "Dates!" Josh pulled a face. "Forget it!"

   Mom laughed. "That time will come before you know it," she said. "I hope you'll both firmly decide, even now, that you'll follow God's plan in this matter."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are your best friends Christians? You should be friendly with all the kids, but those you spend the most time with should share your beliefs and your values. When the time comes that you're old enough to go out on dates, don't allow yourself to become interested in someone who's not a Christian. Make up your mind right now to avoid that danger and date only someone who loves Jesus as you do. Be sure you don't disobey God on the very important issue of being "yoked" with believers.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Katy sat on the porch steps as her mother rubbed a baking soda mixture on a bee sting. "It hurts so bad!" Katy wailed. "Why did God make bees, anyway?"

"Think about it," said Mom with a smile. "I didn't hear you complaining when you were spreading honey on your toast this morning."

Katy sighed. "I guess they're sort of useful," she mumbled, "but they don't have to sting people. Besides, after they sting, they just die anyway." She frowned. "I don't see why God made some other things, either-like fruit flies."

"There must be a reason," said Mom, "because God doesn't make mistakes."

Katy shrugged. "Well, don't you think if there were a reason we would have figured it out by now?" she wanted to know.

"Remember the place we visited last year where the bees were building hives and making honey?" asked Mom. "Pretty smart, aren't they?" Katy nodded. "Do you think they could build a skyscraper?" Mom asked.

Katy grinned and shook her head. "Of course not," she said.

"What if we explain to them how to build one?" asked Mom. "You agreed they were smart."

"Sure," said Katy, "but they're just tiny little bugs, and we're great big humans. They can't understand the things we do or say."

"True." Mom nodded. "Actually, compared to God, we're just tiny little humans," she added. "He's a great big God, so how can you expect us to understand everything God does?"

"You mean . . . we're just like puny little bugs to God?" asked Katy, sounding rather shocked.

"Not quite." Mom chuckled. "We're very important to God. He's blessed us with many amazing abilities, but we're not equal to Him," she said. "Many things in this world won't make sense to you and me, but it's not because God made a mistake. Maybe when we get to heaven, He'll explain it all. For now, let's trust that He knows what He's doing-even when He allows bees to sting." Mom stood up. "Why don't we go in and start supper?"

"Okay," agreed Katy. She got up and followed her mother. "Do you think God has a reason for broccoli, too?" asked Katy with a big grin. "I sure can't think what it would be!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What "bugs" you? Are there times you think God made a mistake? Do you dislike something about yourself or your family or your world? Not everything in life will make sense to you, but God knows what He's doing. He made the "bugs" that bug you. Some day He may let you know the reason why. In any case, trust God to use everything in your life to work out His plan for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You (God) are good, and do good. Psalm 119:68

[Soldier4Christ]

As Mom arranged the new curtains, Aileen looked happily around her room. "It was so much fun fixing up my room!" she exclaimed. "I'm going to be an interior decorator when I grow up."

Mom smiled. "It was fun, wasn't it?" she agreed.

Aileen nodded. "The quilt and curtains we made are so pretty, and they match the wallpaper perfectly," she said. "Even my old bedroom furniture looks nice since we refinished it. I'm almost glad we didn't have enough money to buy everything new and ready-made."

Mom nodded. "Do-it-yourself jobs are hard work, but it's so satisfying to see what you've accomplished, isn't it? The finished job is worth the effort it took," she said as she looked around the room. "Why don't you call Josie and invite her to come and see your room?"

"She wouldn't come," replied Aileen. "She's mad, so she's not speaking to me."

"She isn't?" Mom raised her eyebrows. "Are you speaking to her?"

"No way! She'll have to speak to me first. She's the one who's mad for no good reason!" Tears filled Aileen's eyes. "I asked God to make her apologize to me, but she still hasn't done it."

"Maybe God wants you to apologize to Josie," suggested Mom.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Aileen wailed.

"Are you sure? It usually takes two to quarrel," Mom reminded her daughter. "We often want God to take care of our problems when there's something He expects us to do for ourselves. One thing He wants us to do is to go to the person with whom we have a problem and try to work it out-even if it's not our fault. The Bible is clear about that."

"But it's so hard to do!" cried Aileen. "Maybe you could call her for me?" She looked hopefully at her mother.

Mom shook her head. "Settling differences with someone is a hard do-it-yourself job," she said, "but the results are worth the effort."

As Aileen dialed Josie's number a little later, Mom smiled. And when Josie came over and Aileen proudly showed her the newly redecorated room, Mom heard Aileen say, "Do-it-yourself jobs are usually hard, but they're worth it."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you and someone not getting along lately? Do you figure it's that person's fault, so he should take the first step to settle your differences? God says you should go to the person-even if the problem isn't your fault-and do what you can to renew your friendship. Go humbly, recognizing that fault generally lies on both sides. Be willing to apologize for your part in the quarrel. It's not easy, but it's God's way, and it's worth the effort. An apology is a cheap price to pay for a friend.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. Matthew 18:15

[Soldier4Christ]

"I really like science," Jason announced excitedly at the supper table. "We're studying elements-pure substances that make up everything, and we get to do experiments! But not dangerous ones like Mr. Romano did today."

"Dangerous?" Mom raised her eyebrows. "He did a dangerous experiment?"

"Yeah! He dropped a tiny piece of sodium in a bucket of water, and it exploded! Wow!" Jason grinned. "I guess it wasn't really dangerous for him to do it, but that stuff could have been dangerous if he hadn't known what he was doing."

"Then it's a good thing he didn't let you do it," said Jason's sister. "You wouldn't have known what you were doing."

Jason ignored her. "Sodium is a soft metal that combines so quickly with oxygen that it explodes in water," he explained. "But when it combines with chlorine, ta-da . . ." Jason paused dramatically and scooped up the salt shaker. "It makes salt. Mr. Romano said when elements combine, their properties change. I'm glad salt doesn't explode." He grinned as he sprinkled salt on his potato.

After supper, Jason's sister ran into the kitchen with Jason right behind. His fingers were pointed like a pistol as he shouted, "BAM!"

Mom frowned. "You played video games at Brad's house after school, didn't you?" she asked.

Jason nodded. "How did you know?"

"You learned in school that properties of elements change when they're combined with other things, right?" asked Mom. "Well, 'properties' people display change, too. Your actions show that you've been influenced by something rather violent." She paused. "When a Christian acts like Jesus, he keeps himself pure," Mom added, "but when he's 'combined' with things of the world, he's influenced by those things."

"But . . . then is it wrong to play video games?" asked Jason.

"Not necessarily. It depends what kind they are and how they influence you," said Mom. "We need to evaluate how any activity affects us." She smiled at Jason. "Gold is one of the most desired elements, right? It's valued for its properties, one of which is shininess. Pure gold stays shiny because it doesn't combine easily with other elements. I think that's how God wants us to be. He wants us to shine for Him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of properties show in your life? Do they show that you're following Jesus? Time spent with Him and those who love Him influences you. Good books-especially God's Book-godly friends, and wholesome activities influence you. So do bad movies, violent video games, and ungodly actions and attitudes of people you hang with. God doesn't want you to share in the sins of others. He wants you to shine for Him as pure gold.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not . . . share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22

[Soldier4Christ]

Andrew was feeling awful! All in one week, he had gotten detention for disrupting class, argued with his best friend, and had to sit out soccer practice for starting a fight. Besides the trouble at school, he'd gotten punished for coming home after curfew and lying to his dad.

His mother noticed that he looked very discouraged. "You've had a rather bad week, haven't you?" she asked.

Andrew nodded. "I can't stop doing things that are wrong, Mom," he said sadly. "I really want to do what's right, but it seems like no matter how hard I try, I always end up doing something bad again." Andrew hesitated as he looked at his mother. "Have you ever wondered if God might stop loving you if you kept doing wrong things?" he asked her.

Mom raised her brow. "Is that worrying you?" she asked.

"Well . . . I just wonder sometimes," murmured Andrew.

"Everyone struggles with sin," Mom replied. "It sounds like you're truly sorry-and you know God is gracious and forgiving."

"Yeah, but . . ." began Andrew. Just then, his new puppy ran into the room-with one of Andrew's sweatshirts in its mouth! "Oh no!" exclaimed Andrew. He quickly grabbed his dog, but one sleeve was already badly chewed. "Bad dog!" scolded Andrew, taking the shirt away.

"Don't you want to get rid of that puppy, Andrew?" asked Mom. "Look at all the trouble he causes! Chewing things, making messes, digging holes! He's so bad, you must wish you could get rid of him! You don't really want to keep him anymore, do you?"

"Of course I still want him!" said Andrew indignantly. "I don't like it when he does things like that, but I'm not going to throw him out! He's my dog! I'll teach him how to behave better."

"Don't you think God feels the same way about you?" asked Mom softly. "He doesn't want to get rid of you; you're His child! He's not happy about it when you sin, but He wants to teach you how to do better." Mom scratched the puppy's drooping ears. "Every time you think of how much you care for this little rascal, think of how much more God cares for you!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you thought God might stop loving you because you still sin? He won't. You're very precious to God. He won't stop loving you, but He may need to scold and discipline you. Confess your sin to Him, and accept the discipline He gives through your parents, teachers, and others in authority. God is loving and patient. If you have a heart that wants to do right, and as you learn to yield to Him daily, He'll teach you how to live to please Him.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Paul stretched and yawned. "I guess I'll get to bed," he announced.

"Already?" asked his sister Alyce, looking at her watch. "You must be sick!"

Paul shook his head. "No. I just gotta get to bed early," he replied. "Coach's orders. He says it's important to work hard and eat right, but that nothing will take the place of a good night's sleep."

Alyce laughed. "Well then, by all means, get to bed early-after you work hard and eat right, that is," she teased. "Be sure to do whatever your football coach says." She peered at him over her book. "You did work hard today, didn't you?" she asked in mock concern. "I know you ate plenty, but I'm not sure about the working part."

"You're certainly putting a lot into the game, Son," said their father with a smile. He looked thoughtful. "You know, the game of football reminds me of the game of life," he added.

"It does?" asked Paul. "Well . . . then I guess the whole earth and everything in it must be like the football field because it's the place where we play the game of life." He grinned at his dad. "How am I doing?"

Alyce laughed. "Oh, and here's an important part. Life's coaches are our teachers-and especially our parents. I bet that's the thing Dad wanted to get across to us. Right, Dad?"

Dad gave her a playful swat with his newspaper. "You said it; I didn't," he replied, "but I'm certainly not going to argue against that idea." Dad grinned and shook his head. "You two are getting good at figuring out the lessons I'm trying to teach," he added, "but you didn't mention the most important 'coach' of all-the Lord Jesus."

"Oops! I didn't mention Him-but I didn't really forget Him, though," said Alyce. "Even our other coaches need to listen to Him."

"Right," agreed Dad. "So . . . don't forget how important it is to follow the advice of all your coaches!"

"Okay, Dad." Paul laughed as he stood up and yawned again. "I'm going to follow the advice of one of them right now by getting to bed. Good night, all!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you listen to your "coaches" in the game of life? God has given you parents, teachers, pastors, and other Christian leaders and friends to help you make right choices. Listen carefully to what they tell you. God says to obey those in authority over you. Most of all, listen to what God tells you-through the people He put in your life and through the Bible, which He provided for you to read.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls. Hebrews 13:17

[Soldier4Christ]

"That was a good game this afternoon, Paul," observed Dad as they ate dinner one evening. "You played very well."

"I thought the most exciting part was when the coaches from the two teams got all hyped up over that one play," said Alyce. "For a minute I thought we were going to have a big fight on our hands."

"I was afraid of that, too," agreed Mom. "They didn't calm down until one of the referees got out a book and looked something up. What book was that?"

"Beats me." Alyce shrugged.

Paul and Dad laughed. "That was the National Football League Rulebook," said Paul. "When there's a disagreement about something, they can look up the rule about it. Whatever the book says, that's it! No more arguing."

Dad nodded. "It's the final authority in the game of football," he said as he took another helping of chicken. After a moment, he added, "God has supplied a book that's the final authority in the game of life. What would it be?"

"That's an easy question," said Paul. "The book that's the final authority in life is . . ."

". . . the Bible!" Paul and Alyce laughed as they finished the sentence together.

Dad nodded. "Sometimes in the game of life, our coaches disagree on something," he said. "A preacher says one thing. A well-known Christian leader says another. A parent or teacher might say something different still. It can be very confusing. We need to turn to the Bible and see what God says."

"But He doesn't talk about some subjects," said Alyce. "Like . . . how fast it's safe to drive, or if it's okay for a twelve-year-old girl to wear make-up." She glanced at her mother.

Dad smiled. "No, but He does say we're to obey our civic rulers, so we have to abide by the speed limits they set. And He does say children are to obey their parents, so they'll decide on the make-up issue. God gives us principles to help us in all our decisions." He reached for his Bible. "If we've all finished eating, let's see if we can find some of those principles right now."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get confused when people disagree about what's right or wrong? Parents or Christian leaders may disagree on various issues, and it's important to find out what God says about them. He's always right. When there are questions about things not mentioned specifically in the Bible, look for principles in that book to help guide you in knowing the right thing for you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The word of the Lord is right. Psalm 33:4