Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

All Puffed Up!

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11 (NIV)

This morning I have some balloons with me. A balloon is a simple toy, but it brings a lot of pleasure to people of all ages. There are so many things you can do with a balloon. You can use balloons for decorations at a party or you can bat them around in the air like a ball. If you have a long, skinny balloon, you can even make it into the shape of different animals. Yes, a balloon can bring a lot of happiness, but it can bring sadness and disappointment too. Haven't you ever seen a small child cry when his balloon bursts?

You and I are sometimes like a balloon. We sometimes get all puffed up with our own importance. (Start blowing up the balloon) We think we are great and we expect everyone else to think so too. (Blow) Maybe it is because we are so good looking, (Blow) or maybe it is because we are so smart. (Blow) Maybe we are really good in sports, (Blow) or perhaps we are the best singer in the choir. (Blow) Sooner or later, if we keep getting puffed up with our own importance, something will happen to burst our balloon. (prick the balloon)

Jesus warned us that this would happen. The Bible teaches us that if we are too proud and think too highly of ourselves, we are headed for a fall. On the other hand, if we are humble, and realize that it is through God's strength that we are able to do great things, we will be given a place of honor in the kingdom of God.

From now on, when you see a balloon, I hope it will remind you that we should not become too puffed up with our own importance -- or something may come along and burst our balloon!

Jesus, help us to be humble. Remind us that whatever abilities we have are a gift from you and that you are the one who deserves the praise! Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Scars to Remember

Carlos hesitated as his friend Stephen held up a video he and some other boys were going to watch. "Come on, Carlos," urged Stephen. "Are you a wimp or something?" Carlos was curious about the popular horror movie, but he really didn't want to break his parents' rule about not watching such things. Just as he was going to say no, the boys started chanting, "Wimpy! Wimpy!" Carlos gave in.

When Carlos got home that afternoon, a wave of guilt overcame him. I'm so sorry, Lord, he prayed silently. I know I disobeyed. I should have said no. Please forgive me. He felt better then because he truly was sorry and knew God had forgiven him.

Carlos went to bed with a clear conscience and fell right to sleep. But then the dream came-a terrible dream in which the monster from the movie was after him with such reality that Carlos was terrified. He yelled. Then, over his own cries, he heard Dad's voice urging him to wake up. Carlos opened his eyes. He tried to speak, but he burst into tears instead. Dad held him close.

Through his tears, Carlos told Dad about the movie. "I asked God to forgive me, and I thought He did. But then He wouldn't have let me have that dream, would He?" Carlos asked.

"Remember the lamp?" asked Dad. Carlos nodded. He had recently broken a lamp when he disobeyed the rule about not playing ball in the house. "We forgave you for breaking it, and we patched it up, right?" Again, Carlos nodded. "The lamp is fixed so that we can use it, but it still has a crack in its base. It will always have that scar," Dad reminded him. "Tonight you asked God to forgive you for watching a movie you knew you shouldn't be seeing. You're sorry, and you confessed that. God has forgiven you, but it doesn't mean there will be no scars."

"The dream was a scar, wasn't it?" asked Carlos.

"I think so," said Dad. "Often God allows us to experience consequences of sin. I think it's part of His discipline to keep us from sin that would have even worse results. Accept God's discipline and learn from it."

Carlos thought about the lamp and the nightmare-two scars to help him remember to obey.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have any "scars" as a result of a wrong thing you've done? Have you given in when someone pressured you to try doing something you knew was wrong? Have you tried doing a wrong thing out of curiosity? Accept God's ready forgiveness when you repent of your sin, but also recognize His discipline when He allows you to experience the consequences of that sin. God often disciplines you to help you remember that sin is dangerous and not something to be played with.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whom the Lord loves He chastens (disciplines). Hebrews 12:6

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Mangled Slipper

"Look at what Scuffy did!" cried Rachelle. The slipper she held out toward her dad looked soggy and torn. "I scolded him and put him outside."

"I'm sorry, honey," said Dad as he took the mangled slipper. "I can see that little puppy needs a lot more training."

Mom spoke from the doorway. "Rachelle, Jody is on the phone for you." She held out the phone.

After a few words, Rachelle scowled. "You always want me to do all the work. You're awful!" she screeched, and she banged down the phone.

"What was that about?" asked Mom. "I thought Jody was your best friend."

"She . . . she just caught me at a bad time," mumbled Rachelle.

"Did your sister catch you at a bad time, too?" asked Mom. "I heard you lash out at her this morning."

Rachelle blushed. "She always bothers me when I'm tired," she said with a sigh. "But I told her I was sorry." Rachelle brightened. "I'll call Jody back and apologize to her."

Just then Scuffy whined at the door. "I think Scuffy wants to come in and apologize, too," said Dad, handing the chewed-up slipper to Rachelle.

Rachelle looked at it. "Don't let him in," she grumbled crossly. "After all, my slipper is ruined for good."

Dad nodded. "That's true," he agreed. He looked thoughtful as he added, "You need to know, Rachelle, that feelings can be 'mangled' just as badly as your slipper is. Once you've said a word, it really can't be taken back. You can be sorry and say so, but the words have already hurt. Often there is no way to repair the damage."

"That's right," agreed Mom. "You do need to apologize to several people, but most of all, you need to control your tongue."

"But I . . . I don't know how," said Rachelle.

"Think before you speak," suggested Dad. "When you feel angry, count to ten before you say anything. Most of all, quickly ask God to help you say things that are loving and kind."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you say things you don't mean? Do you speak too quickly? It's so easy to do. The Bible has a lot to say about how much trouble your tongue can cause. It also gives the cure-let the love of Christ in your heart control what you say. If you've had trouble controlling your tongue, apologize to those you've hurt. Then use your tongue to compliment, praise, and encourage others in a loving way.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23

[Soldier4Christ]

 Only One Key

"Logan, you can open the trunk while I take in the groceries from the back seat," said Mom. She pulled the keys from the ignition and held onto one as she handed them to him. "This is . . ."

But nine-year-old Logan grabbed the ring and scrambled out the door in a flash. He ran around to the trunk and eagerly shoved in a key. The lock wouldn't turn. He fumbled with the jangling keys and selected another one that looked good to him. It wouldn't even go in. Frustrated, he tried one more, then yelled, "Mom! Which one?"

Mom's hand came down gently over his fingers as she took the key ring from him. "It's the one I was holding," she said. "I tried to tell you, but you bolted out of the car before I could finish." She held out a short silver key.

Sheepishly, Logan slid the key in and unlocked the trunk. He returned the key ring with a grin. "I guess there's only one key that will work, huh?"

Mom smiled as she loaded his arms with groceries. "Yes, and that's true for more than one thing," she said. "Only one key for the trunk, one for the house-and even only one for heaven. And you know what? Many people-even adults-don't know what key is needed to go to heaven."

"What do you mean?" asked Logan as he followed his mother into the house.

Mom set the groceries on the table and began putting them away as she explained. "God sacrificed His Son, Jesus, so that we may have eternal life. But instead of accepting that 'key' to salvation, many people try their own imitations." She turned to Logan and dangled the key ring in front of him. "Do you remember how you felt when you tried to use the wrong keys?"

"Well . . . ah . . . kind of surprised," said Logan. "I expected them to work."

"I'm afraid many people will be surprised when the key they use to get to heaven doesn't work, either," said Mom. "They go to church and try to be good and do what looks to them like the right thing. They don't realize that Jesus is the only key-the only way-to heaven. No other 'key' will work."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What key are you using to try to get into heaven someday? Do you think going to church or giving money will open heaven's door for you? Do you think obeying parents, being helpful and kind, and just being generally "good" will be the key that allows you to enter? All those are things God wants you to do, but none can save you. You can enter heaven only through Jesus. Accept Him as your Savior today and be assured you have the right key.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Key Verse I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

[Soldier4Christ]

 When You Hit a Curb

"Mom, it went all over the road!" Josh shouted as he dashed into the house.

Mom looked up from the bubbling, red mixture she was stirring on the stove. "What did?"

"Gravel!" Josh stopped to catch his breath. "A dump truck just hit the curb, and now there's a huge pile of gravel blocking our street! Come out and see it."

"I can't leave this pizza sauce right now," said Mom, sprinkling in a capful of oregano. "I'll come out when this is finished."

"Well, I hope they get rid of the gravel before Dad tries to come home," said Josh. "He won't get past that pile on the road!"

"He may have to go a bit out of his way, but I'm sure he'll find a way to get here," replied Mom with a smile.

By the time Dad came home, the road had been cleared. Josh was kneading dough for the pizza crust as he told his dad the story of how the dump truck spilled its load. "All that gravel came piling out when the truck hit the curb," said Josh. "Good thing they had a big scooper to clean up the mess."

"Good thing," Dad agreed with a smile. He looked thoughtful. "You know, people are like that truck," he added.

"What?" Josh asked in surprise. "How?"

"From time to time, we all run into curbs-bumpy times in our lives," explained Dad, "and when we do, whatever is in our hearts comes spilling out."

"That's right," said Mom. "If we have pure and joyful thoughts, then good words and deeds will come out in our lives. But if we have bad thoughts, well . . . what comes out won't be so good!"

Dad tasted the pizza sauce and sprinkled a little more oregano into it. "Remember Philippians 4:8?" he asked. "I think you've had that for a memory verse. It's the one in which the Apostle Paul advises Christians to think about pure and lovely things. If we do that, we'll be sure to 'dump' good things when we hit the curbs-when difficult things happen in our lives."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What happens when you have a hard time? Do you always react the way God wants you to-or do you sometimes lose your temper, do hurtful things, and maybe use bad language? What kinds of things are in your mind right now? If there's a load of bad thoughts there, don't carry it around until you hit a rough spot and they spill out! Turn to God in repentance. He wants to help you keep your mind filled with pure thoughts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
As he (anyone) thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

[Soldier4Christ]

 All Wet

Chip threw a fast ball to Abe at the other end of the yard. Abe returned it, and it hit Chip's baseball mitt with a thud. "I sure hope we both make the team," Abe yelled.

"Me, too," Chip agreed.

When Chip's mother called him to come in for dinner, he tossed his mitt on the grass. Abe said goodbye and pedaled off on his bike.

After dinner, thunder began rumbling through the sky. When Chip climbed into bed that night, he heard rain outside his window. It was really pouring!

The next day, Chip searched the house for his mitt. "Oh, no!" he exclaimed as he suddenly remembered where he had left it. He ran to the back yard. Water dripped from the mitt as he picked it up.

"You left your mitt outside in the rain?" asked Dad when he saw Chip with the wet mitt. Chip nodded unhappily. "How many times have I talked to you about taking care of your things?" demanded Dad.

"I need a new mitt anyway," whined Chip. "See how worn this is?"

Dad took the mitt and looked at it. He shook his head. "No new mitt as long as you're so careless with the one you have," he said firmly.

"But, Dad!" protested Chip. "The tryouts for the team are next week. I need a mitt to practice."

"You'll have to make do with this one," said Dad. He dropped the soggy mitt into Chip's hands. "You know, the Bible says that everything we have is from God. I believe He expects us to take the best possible care of what He's provided-even things like a baseball mitt." Dad paused at the porch steps. "Hang the mitt out on the clothesline," he suggested. "It'll dry out more quickly there. And then you'll need to use vegetable oil to soften the leather again. It's good to remember that taking care of things in the first place will save you a lot of trouble and work."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you take care of your things? The Bible says you should be faithful, or trustworthy, in caring for what you have. Be responsible and honor God in the way you take care of clothes, books, toys, bikes, and everything else He has provided for you. As you carefully do that, you are preparing to handle the responsibility needed for taking care of "true riches"-spiritual responsibilities.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If you have not been faithful . . . who will commit to your trust the true riches? Luke 16:11

[Soldier4Christ]

 Overloaded

"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]

 It Came Up Squash

"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]

Making Choices

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27 (NIV)

A soccer ball and a music book -- two very different things that play an important part in a story about Katy, a girl about the age of some of you. Katy faced a very difficult decision. Many of her friends had signed up to play soccer. Katy liked to play soccer too, and she wanted to be with her friends, but she also liked to play the piano and had been taking piano lessons for a couple of years. Soccer practice was at the same time as her piano lesson and playing soccer would take away from the time she needed to practice the piano. There was no way she could do both.

What should she do? Should she quit piano and play soccer with her friends, or should she finish what she had started and continue with her piano lessons? Finally, Katy came up with an idea. She sat down with a sheet of paper and drew a line down the center of the page. At the top of the page on one side of the line she wrote, "Piano." On the other side of the line she wrote, "Soccer." Below the word soccer, she wrote all of the advantages of playing soccer with her friends. Below the word piano, she wrote all of the advantages of being able to play the piano. After she had considered all of the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, Katy made her decision. She decided to continue her piano lessons. After all, she could still see her friends at school, and playing the piano was something that she would enjoy for the rest of her life.

We all face important decisions in life. The most important decision we face is whether we will follow Jesus or not. Perhaps you might say, "Oh, that is an easy decision. Of course I will follow Jesus," but Jesus warned that it isn't always easy to follow him. He said that we should sit down and count the cost. Will we choose to follow him if it means giving up friends who are making bad choices? Will we choose to follow him if it means moving to a far away place and leaving our family behind? Will we choose to follow him if it means we will never live in a big house or drive a fancy car?

Jesus said, "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Where did Jesus carry his cross? He carried it to Calvary. It was on that cross that Jesus gave his life so that you and I could have everlasting life. When we choose to carry our cross, it means that we are willing to give up everything to follow Jesus. It is a choice we have to make.

Dear Jesus, we thank you for being willing to carry your cross to Calvary. Help us to make the choice to take our cross and follow you. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The List of Names

"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. (See the ABC's of salvation at the end of this book.)


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

[Soldier4Christ]

 Ownership

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]

 Queens, Drones, & Workers

"Whoa! Why such a long face?" asked Lisa's dad as she came in the back door.

Lisa frowned. "I wanted the lead part in our youth pageant, but instead, I have to make dumb props," she complained. "Carrie got picked for the lead." She saw that her father was putting on his bee-keeper's outfit, and before he could answer, Lisa changed the subject. "I want to go with you to the beehives," she said. "Okay?"

"Sure," agreed Dad, so Lisa quickly slipped into her own "bee suit," and they went out to the hives.

At the beehives, Lisa watched as Dad pulled a honeycomb from one of them. "Oh, good!" he said. "There obviously are workers in this hive. I'm glad there aren't just queen bees here, aren't you?"

Lisa was puzzled. "There's never more than one queen bee in a hive, Dad. You know that," she said.

"Yes . . . well . . . that's a good thing, too," repeated Dad. "Queen bees don't make honey, and I like honey!" He checked each of the remaining hives and took out additional honeycombs. "As it is, you could say each hive is a self-sufficient super-organism," added Dad.

Lisa frowned. "Dad, talk in simple language," she said. "You know I don't like talking scientifically."

"How about biblically?" Dad asked.

"Biblically?" Lisa glanced up at her father as they started back to the house.

Dad nodded. "In the beehive, each bee needs to do his own job so the whole thing works together efficiently. The bees can't all be drones. They can't all be worker bees, either. And they can't all be queens. Each kind of bee is needed. It's that way in life, too. The Bible says each Christian has a job to do. Even in all the everyday things we do-schoolwork, chores, church work, or whatever-in everything, all kinds of workers are needed."

Lisa's eyes sparkled. "All right, Dad! I know you," she said. "You're really talking about our youth pageant, aren't you? You're saying the job of making props is just as important, as the lead part, right?" Dad nodded as he gave her a hug. Lisa giggled. "Okay," she said. "Then I'll be a buzz-z-z-y bee making props."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you content with what God has given you to do? Or do you often wish for a greater, more important position? The Bible doesn't list any position as greater than another. Instead, it points out that each one is important because each one is needed. God asks you to do your best in whatever work you are given. Do everything "as unto the Lord."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Colossians 3:23

[Soldier4Christ]

 Storing Up

"Look, Dad," said Mark. "A chipmunk!" Dad left his newspaper and joined Mark at the window. Together, they watched the little creature stripping an ear of corn. "Look at him peel off those kernels!" exclaimed Mark. "He eats fast!"

"He's not eating them," said Dad. "He's stuffing the kernels into little pouches in his cheeks. Watch what he does with them now."

Mark watched as the chipmunk scurried over to the woodpile. He laughed when he saw what the little rodent did next. "He's using his hind foot to push the corn out of his cheeks," said Mark.

Dad smiled. "He's storing it in spaces between the chunks of wood," he explained. "God gives him the ability and instinct to do that so he can take care of himself and prepare for the future."

Mark and his father watched for several minutes as the tiny animal dashed back and forth from the ear of corn to the wood pile. "I can't believe how much he can store in his cheeks!" Mark declared after a few minutes. "He's got all the kernels stripped from the cob already."

Dad nodded. "You know, Mark, God has built a storage system into us, too," he observed.

"I don't have any pouches in my cheeks to carry food," said Mark, laughing at the idea.

Dad grinned at him. "I was thinking of a different kind of food- spiritual food," he said. "You store it in your brain, not in your cheeks."

"Spiritual food?" asked Mark. "Oh, you mean like the memory verses I have to learn for Sunday school, right?"

"Exactly," agreed Dad. "The Bible calls it hiding God's Word in our hearts. We can store it away, and God brings it back to our minds when we need it. It helps us in times of trial or testing-and as we obey what He says, it protects us from sin. The corn being stored by that little fellow will be there for him whenever he needs it in the future, and the verses we memorize will be there for us when we need them." Mark nodded, and Dad turned and grinned at him. "Don't let that chipmunk be smarter than you," added Dad. "This would probably be a good time to start working on your memory verse for Sunday."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you preparing for the future by memorizing God's Word? Do you learn at least one verse a week? That isn't very many-you probably could learn more. But even one a week adds up to fifty-two a year! The Bible verses you store in your mind and heart will be there, ready to be used whenever you need them. If you haven't already done so, start learning verses today!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

[Soldier4Christ]

 Yearbook Memories

"So how was your summer vacation?" Tim asked his friend Jackson.

"Terrible." Jackson groaned. "We spent a week at the beach, and all it did was rain the whole time. On the day we were going to the amusement park, my little sister got sick right before we were supposed to leave, so we couldn't go. The whole summer was wasted."

Tim knew Jackson had a tendency to complain about things, but he figured there must have been something his friend enjoyed during the summer. Tim smiled to himself. I'll see how soon I can get him to say something good about it, he decided. "Did you play much baseball?" asked Tim. "Before school got out last year, you told me you were going to play first base on a summer team."

Jackson shrugged. "Yeah, but the coach made me sit on the bench a lot more than I wanted to. He said the other kids had to have a chance to play, too."

Tim shook his head. Getting Jackson to say something positive was even tougher than he'd expected. Then he got an idea. "Come on, Jackson! Give me the yearbook version of what happened," said Tim.

Jackson turned toward his friend with a confused look. "Yearbook version? What are you talking about?"

"You know. Every year the school issues a yearbook-a bunch of highlights from the school year, right?" asked Tim. Jackson nodded, still confused. "Well," continued Tim, "when's the last time you saw something in there about all the bad things that happened? Did you see anything about the window that was broken in the back of the building?" Tim grinned. "Did the yearbook mention how many times Susan Walters told you to get lost when you smiled at her in gym class?" he teased.

"Very funny," grumbled Jackson. "Why would I-or anyone else-want to remember those things?"

"Exactly!" exclaimed Tim. "I figure we should think more about the things that went right. Most of the other stuff isn't worth remembering anyway. That's why I want to hear the 'yearbook version'-the good things-of your summer vacation. So . . . let's hear it, okay?" He grinned at his friend.

Jackson grinned a little, too. "Well . . ." he began, "I did have fun at camp . . ."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do you dwell on-things that go well or those that go wrong? Which ones do you think God would like you to think-and talk-about most? When you're tempted to grumble about something, stop and ask God to help you find a good thing in that situation. Ask Him to show you what good can come from it, and to help you learn from each thing that happens. Then give yourself and others the "yearbook version" of what took place and praise God for it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

[Soldier4Christ]

 Just Camping

"I miss Uncle Don," said Jenny with a sigh. She watched her father pound a tent stake into the ground. "I know he's in heaven, but he always loved to camp in the mountains with us, and now he can't do that. It doesn't seem right." Jenny knew heaven was a happy place, but she kept wondering if it really could be that much better than the wonderful experiences she was having on earth. Of course, not everything on earth was good. Jenny remembered the many months Uncle Don had been sick, and how he had grown thin and weak. He had often talked about heaven and how good it would be to finally get "home," as he called it.

A few days later, Jenny woke up feeling cold and a little stiff. She pulled on a heavy sweater and went out to stand by the fire her father had built. "I have to admit I wouldn't want a sleeping bag for my bed every night," she said. "I love camping, but being comfortable at home is nice, too." Jenny looked at the big pot of water Dad had placed over the fire. "A hot shower would feel really good," she added.

"So you're getting tired of camping?" teased Dad.

"Well . . . I love camping," said Jenny, "but I wouldn't want to camp out all the time. I'm kind of glad we're going home today. For most of the year, it's a better place to be."

Dad laughed. "I agree," he said. Then he became serious. "I think Uncle Don felt a lot like you do, Jenny," added Dad. "He loved being here on earth-seeing all the wonderful things God was doing in people's lives, and spending time with family and friends. He liked that kind of 'camping,' but 'home' is so much better for Uncle Don. When you go home and sleep in your own bed and take hot showers again, it won't take away the joy you've had on this trip. But you won't be in a temporary home like this tent anymore. You'll be in your real home, where you belong."

As Jenny put her sleeping bag away, she thought about what Dad had said. She knew she would miss her uncle for a long time, but she understood a little better that he had left his temporary home and was safe and happy in his real home-the place in heaven that had been made for him by the Lord Jesus.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does the idea of going to heaven seem strange and maybe a bit scary to you? Do you wonder how you can be happy for eternity without the things you enjoy so much in this life? You may be surprised at how many familiar things you'll find there. The Bible doesn't tell about all you'll experience in heaven, but it tells enough to know it will be more wonderful than you can imagine. If you're a Christian, you'll find that it's truly "home"-the place where you belong.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We are . . . pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8