Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 Chameleon Christians

"I hate being cooped up with this broken leg," Jeff complained to his Uncle George. "I can't play ball or anything. I'm tired of my crutches."

"Well, I brought something that might help," said Uncle George, handing Jeff a paper bag. Eagerly, Jeff opened it. He found a jar containing a little green creature about three inches long. "It's a chameleon," explained Uncle George. "Here . . . you can let him out of the jar. He'll enjoy running around through all your mother's plants."

Jeff laughed. "Not if Mom sees him, he won't," he said as he carefully placed his new pet on the stem of a large plant. "I'll have to think of a good name for him. He . . . hey! He looks different, Uncle George! His color is changing."

Uncle George chuckled. "That's because he's on a brownish-colored stem now," he said.

"Cool!" exclaimed Jeff. "I knew they were supposed to change colors to blend in with their surroundings, but I never saw it happen before. Our book at school said they actually change according to the mood they're in, too. Or according to how they feel . . . like if they're too warm or too cold."

Uncle George nodded. He turned to Jeff. "But I don't want you to learn his tricks!" he said.

"You don't want me to change the color of my skin?" asked Jeff with a grin.

Uncle George laughed. "Well, I know you can't do that, but I was just thinking that some Christians are like chameleons," he replied. "They smile and are pleasant and talk about the Lord when everything is going their way. But when something unpleasant happens, they 'change their color' fast. Then nobody can tell by watching them that they have a loving Savior who cares about them."

Jeff took a deep breath. He felt a little guilty because ever since he'd broken his leg, he had been pouting and feeling sorry for himself.

Uncle George got up. "Time to go," he said. "Enjoy your pet. He needs special care-the instructions are on the jar. And let me know what you name him."

"Thanks," answered Jeff. "I'll have fun taking care of him, and I've already learned something from him."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you consistently live in a way that pleases God, or do you "change color" according to your mood or your circumstances? Do you act one way at church but another way at school or at home? God doesn't have two standards for His children to follow. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your behavior at all times. Let the fruit of the Spirit be seen in your life in all situations. If you're willing to let Him, God will help you be a consistent Christian, not a "chameleon" one.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Psalm 101:2

[Soldier4Christ]

 No Giving Up!

"Oh, no! A fish got my bait again!" exclaimed Nick as he pulled his fishing line out of the water. "This is about the zillionth time that happened. I give up!" Nick laid his pole on the ground. "Okay if I go check the frog pond?" he asked. Dad nodded, so Nick wandered off through the well-known woods on his grandfather's farm, leaving his father to fish alone.

When Nick returned a half hour later, Dad grinned at him. "Look, Nick! I believe I've hooked something!" said Dad. He tugged on his line and brought a flapping, struggling fish to shore. Nick was surprised to see that there were also several other fish in their pail.

"How'd you do it, Dad?" asked Nick.

"By just keeping at it," replied Dad. "You'll never catch a fish with your fishing pole on the ground."

Nick picked up his pole and baited his hook again. As they continued fishing, he was thoughtful. "Maybe Kyle and Matt are like these fish you caught," he said suddenly.

Dad raised his brows. "I don't think your friends would be very flattered to hear you compare them to the fish," he replied. "What do you mean?"

"Well, more than once I've tried to tell them about Jesus-I guess I was 'fishing for men,' like Jesus said we're to do," explained Nick. "But they never will talk about God or come to Sunday school or anything-not even to parties." He paused. "They're not at all interested, so last week I decided I'd just quit," admitted Nick. "It didn't seem like it was any use to keep on inviting them."

"Now you're wondering about that decision?" asked Dad.

Nick nodded. "Maybe it's like our fishing today. Maybe I just need to keep at it a little longer."

"That's good thinking," agreed Dad. "You need to keep on witnessing as long as you live. Soul-winning is a lifetime job that God has given us."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you been trying to get somebody interested in spiritual things and have gotten discouraged? Have you stopped witnessing to someone, thinking it's just no use? Don't give up. Keep on "fishing"-witnessing for the Lord. Trust Him to bring results in His time. He promises that the work you do for Him is not "in vain"-it's not useless.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

[Soldier4Christ]

 Swimming Upstream

Brian waited with his father at the airport, and before long, they were greeting their friend, Mr. Sato, who had come from Japan to visit them.

When they arrived home, Mr. Sato handed Brian a package. Brian eagerly opened it, but he wasn't sure what it was. Mr. Sato smiled. "I'll help you put that together," he said. "If it's okay with your dad, we can go out to the backyard and assemble it now."

"Sure," said Dad, so they went out and got busy fitting pieces together. When it was finished, three plastic fish billowed in the wind at the end of a bamboo pole.

"In Japan we have a special day for boys," Mr. Sato told them. "We set up a pole with a fish-a carp like this-waving from it. The carp is a determined fish. He swims upstream and overcomes obstacles. One of the things we teach our boys is to be brave and strong like that." Mr. Sato paused. "Many of them do not know that they need to trust in Jesus to make them strong enough to 'swim upstream' and do what's right even if the other kids don't," he added sadly.

When Brian got into bed, he thought about the carp and the lesson it represented. I wonder if I'd "swim upstream" if the guys all tried to talk me into smoking or something, he thought. I hope so-I'm a Christian, so maybe I would, but . . . some of the things we've done lately haven't been very good, and I'd hate to have them call me a baby. He was still wondering about it when he fell asleep.

As Brian walked into the school building the next day, his friend Grant approached him. "Guess what some of us guys are gonna do after school," Grant said. He didn't wait for an answer from Brian. "We're going to try and catch Mrs. Thompson's cat and tie a bunch of tin cans to its tail. We won't hurt him, but I bet old lady Thompson will get madder than mad! It's gonna be a blast! Wanna come help us?"

Brian took a deep breath and breathed a silent prayer for God's help. He shook his head. "No, I'm not going to do stuff like that any more," he said. There, I said it! The boys might tease, but Brian had never felt so grown up before-so much like a man . . . God's man! Thanks, Jesus, he prayed silently, for helping me "swim upstream."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you do what other kids do because you're afraid of being mocked or teased? Any fish-even a dead one-can float downstream, but it takes a strong one to swim against the current. If you're encouraged to do something wrong, remember that if you depend on Jesus, He will help you to "swim upstream" and do the right thing. Ask Him to make you strong.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10

[Soldier4Christ]

 Lost Signal

"Dad, can we fly my airplane today?" asked Randy, holding his airplane and the remote control.

   "Did you already finish your Bible reading this morning?" asked Dad. "You're supposed to do that before you play, you know."

   "I know, but the weather's perfect for flying the plane this morning," replied Randy. "It's supposed to rain later today. I'll read my Bible then."

"Well . . . all right. I'll hold you to that," said Dad.

   Randy and his father drove to a big field lined with oak trees. They took out the plane. Dad set it down, ready for take off. "Keep the plane close, or it won't respond to the controller, okay?" said Dad as Randy took the remote.

"I know, Dad," replied Randy, and with the touch of a button, the plane took off. Randy turned it to the right, and then to the left. "Look at it go, Dad!" he called to his father as he flew it straight across the park. Then . . . "It won't turn!" yelled Randy a few moments later as he tried to turn the plane around.

"Run, Randy! Get closer to it," called Dad. They both started running, but before Randy was in range again, the plane crashed into an oak tree.

When they reached the plane, Randy picked it up. The wing dangled for a second, then fell off, and the nose was smashed. "I let it get too far from the remote control, didn't I?" asked Randy.

Dad nodded. "It couldn't 'hear' your commands at that distance," he agreed. "I'm sorry." He gave Randy a hug. "We'll have to see what we can do to fix it," added Dad.

As they fixed the plane later that day, Dad turned to Randy. "There!" said Dad when the nose was repaired. He nodded in approval as Randy reattached the wing. "What happened to this plane is a good reminder to me to never get so far from God that I can't hear His voice. I need His direction to help me," added Dad. "Your plane was too far away to read the signals, and when we're 'far away' from God, we might not hear His voice." 

"Oh! That reminds me!" said Randy. "I never did read my Bible lesson today." He looked at the plane. "This is ready to go again, isn't it?" he asked. "Can we try it out as soon as I finish reading?" Smiling, Dad agreed.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you meet with God regularly? Reading His Word and praying will help you stay close to Him. It will help you know what He wants of you. It will make it a whole lot easier to hear His warnings and His instructions for everyday living. It will also offer comfort and encouragement when you face difficult circumstances or decisions. Isn't it amazing that the great and wonderful God of the whole universe wants to meet with you? Enjoy fellowship with Him regularly!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Open my eyes, that I may see Êwondrous things from Your law. Psalm 119:18

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Way Home

As Bryce walked home after delivering papers on his route, he saw a little boy up ahead, crying. A girl was talking to him. "Don't cry, I know how to get to 102 Shelby Street," Bryce heard the girl say as he got closer. "You go that way one block." She pointed to the north. "That will be Main Street. Turn right-that way." She pointed again. "Go three blocks and you come to Shelby. Your house should be there near the corner." Bryce frowned. He knew those directions weren't right!

As the girl went into her house, the little boy turned and walked toward Bryce. "Hey, you're Jimmy Barnes, aren't you?" exclaimed Bryce. "I deliver papers to your house. Remember me?" The boy looked at him, wide-eyed, and nodded. "That girl gave you wrong directions," said Bryce. "You have to turn left at Main Street, not right." Jimmy's lip began to tremble, and Bryce took his hand. "Look," he said, "I'll take you home. Okay?" Happily, Jimmy nodded, and soon Bryce had delivered him to his family.

When Bryce reached home, he told his mother what had happened. "I'm glad you were there to help Jimmy," said Mom with a smile. "By the way, Ian called. He wants you to go to Bible club with him tomorrow afternoon. I hope you'll go."

"Okay," agreed Bryce, "but Mom, I wish you'd quit worrying about whether I'm going to heaven." His mother had recently become a Christian, and she often tried to explain how important it was for him to receive Jesus as Savior, too. "I'll be there," added Bryce with a grin. "Uncle George says I'm such a good kid that if anybody makes it to heaven, it will be me!"

"Well, I agree with Uncle George that you're a good kid," said Mom, "but he's mistaken about the way to heaven. I'm afraid you're like little Jimmy. He was ready to follow directions given by someone who didn't really know the way, and it seems you are, too." Mom paused for a moment. "God Himself tells how we can get to heaven. In His Word-the Bible-He says it's not people's goodness that will get them there. You were Jimmy's way home-you took him there. And Jesus is the only way anyone can enter heaven."

Bryce was a little startled. Maybe Mom's right, he thought. I better check it out.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you following the right directions to heaven? God knows how you can get there. His directions are the only ones that can be trusted, and they're found in His Book, the Bible. He says Jesus is the way-the only way. No one can come to God except through Him. Don't be fooled into thinking you're good enough for heaven or that you can get there any other way. Trust in Jesus today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

[Soldier4Christ]

 Choking?

"Tomorrow evening is the mission rally at church," Dad reminded his family as they were eating at their favorite restaurant.

"I can't go. I have play practice at school," said Marla.

"The last time we had a special service you had a band concert," Mom reminded her. "Perhaps we've allowed you to do too much at school."

"Why, hello there." The voice of Marla's Sunday school teacher interrupted them. "I missed you Saturday morning, Marla," said Miss Willis. "We had such a good time at the nursing home." After chatting a few minutes, she left.

"Why didn't you go to the nursing home with your class?" asked Dad.

"The student council posters had to be done this week," she explained.

Mom frowned. "It seems to me that you are too . . ."

"What's wrong with that man over there?" interrupted Marla.

Dad looked to where she was pointing, then jumped to his feet and dashed across the room. "Are you choking, Sir?" he asked. The man nodded frantically. "I'm going to help you," said Dad. He stood behind the frightened man, put his arms around him, and with his clenched fist, gave a couple of sharp, upward thrusts. The man gasped, and a moment later was breathing normally again. Everyone applauded.

"Oh, thank you," said the man when he was able to talk. "I guess I tried to eat too fast. I was in too big a hurry."

On the way home, Marla's family talked about what had happened. "Eating in a rush makes it easy to choke," observed Dad thoughtfully. "I think it's also easy to get 'choked' spiritually by the 'busyness' of life."

"Choked spiritually?" asked Marla. "What do you mean?"

"There are a lot of things we can get involved in that are very good," said Dad, "but if they take so much of our time and energy that we don't have time for the things of God, it's like they're choking Him right out of our lives."

"How about you, Marla? Are you choking?" asked Mom.

"Maybe," admitted Marla with a sigh, "but I don't know which activities I should cut out. Maybe you can help me decide."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find many things crowding into your life? Even though your activities are good, you may be missing the most important ones. Take time to get to know God through Bible reading and listening in church and Sunday school. Take time to talk with Him each day. Take time to participate in church and Sunday school projects. Never get so busy that you neglect your spiritual life-learning about God and serving Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with . . . cares of this life. Luke 21:34

[Soldier4Christ]

Trading Places

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Luke 16:19-21 (NIV)

Have you ever wished you could trade places with someone? If you could trade places with anyone you chose, who would you choose?

    • A movie star?

    • A famous athlete?

    • Someone with a lot of money?

    • The homeless person that begs beside the road?

"Wait a minute," you are probably thinking. "Who would dream of changing places with a homeless person who begs beside the road?" Well, it might not be what a person would wish for, but that is exactly what one person got in our Bible lesson today. It is the story of the rich man and Lazarus.

There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in clothes of the latest fashion. He lived in a beautiful house and ate the very best food. A poor man named Lazarus, all covered with sores, had been put outside the door of the rich man's house. All he wanted was a meal from scraps off the rich man's table. Dogs that passed by him stopped and licked his sores. Do you think the rich man ever offered to share the food from his table? Did he ever stop to offer Lazarus one of his nice suits of clothes that perhaps was in last year's style? No way! He passed by Lazarus as if he wasn't even there.

Finally, Lazarus died and was carried by angels up into Heaven to be with Abraham. There he enjoyed all of the comforts that he never knew when he was on earth. He was happier than you can imagine. The rich man also died and was buried. Well, the place where the rich man went was really hot. I am sure you can guess where that was! He was miserable. The rich man looked up into Heaven and saw Abraham with Lazarus standing by his side. He cried out, "Father Abraham, send Lazarus down and let him dip his finger in water to cool my tongue." Abraham answered, "Don't forget that when you were living you had all your good things and Lazarus had nothing. Now he is well cared for and you are in great pain. And besides, there is a deep ditch between us, and no one from either side can cross over."

Even though he didn't have very much when he was on earth, Lazarus trusted in God to take care of him. That is what God did. He sent his angels to take Lazarus to Heaven. The rich man, on the other hand, didn't think he needed anyone. He sure didn't need God. He had everything that he needed. At least, that is what he thought.

There is an important lesson to be learned from the story of the rich man and Lazarus. You and I choose where we will place our trust. We can trust in God or we can trust in ourselves. If we put our trust in the wrong thing, we will find ourselves wishing that we could trade places.

Father, we trust in your unfailing love; our hearts rejoice in your salvation. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Not Just a Disguise

"I'm a beggar! Look at me!" squealed Ben, prancing around the room in ragged pants, torn shirt, and shoes with holes in them.

"You certainly look like a beggar," agreed Dad, looking up. "What's all this for? A costume party or something?"

Ben nodded. "Yeah, Keaton and Sarah are having a costume party on Saturday-and there's a prize for the best costume. Don't you think I look just like the real thing? I think I'll win that prize!" He winced and kicked off his shoes. "Ouch! These shoes hurt!"

"Well, if you want to be realistic, that's good," said Dad. "A beggar's shoes probably don't fit very well. And real beggars don't always have a roof over their heads, either. Nor do they have three square meals a day, and they have to beg for a living." Dad grinned. "If you really want to be realistic and win that prize, maybe you should go out and beg for your supper," he teased.

"No thanks!" said Ben firmly. "I just want to pretend. I don't want to be the real thing."

"I thought not," said Dad. Then his face grew serious. "But you know what? That's just what Jesus did!"

"What? Became a beggar?" asked Ben.

"No, not a beggar," said Dad, "but when He came to earth, He became human-the real thing-just like one of us. He didn't wear some disguise and pretend to be a man. He was still God, but He also became a man, just like any other man except that He had no sin. It's hard for us to understand how that could be, but it's one of the wonderful things about Jesus. Because He really and truly became human, we know He understands and cares about all the situations we face."

"It would be tough to not have a home or enough food," murmured Ben thoughtfully, "and I guess it must have been tough for Jesus to leave heaven and come to live on earth."

"I'm sure it was," agreed Dad. "An old, old song talks about the huge difference between earth and the glories of heaven, which Jesus left. One line says, 'Only His great, eternal love made my Savior go.' We have so much to thank Him for!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think nobody understands the difficulties and temptations you face? Jesus does. Remember that although Jesus is fully God, He also became fully human. So when you're tempted to lie or cheat, when kids make fun of you for obeying God, or when you feel foolish and alone because you're not doing the things everyone else does, be assured that Jesus understands exactly how you feel. Thank Him, and depend on Him to help you through every situation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We . . . have a High Priest (Jesus) who . . . was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

[Soldier4Christ]

 The New Friend

Pete noticed a boy sitting by himself in the school cafeteria. He's new here, and he must be lonely, thought Pete, remembering how he had felt when he was the new kid at school the year before. So when Pete finished eating his lunch and was ready to go out to play with his friends, he stopped at the door. I'm going back to talk to that kid, he decided.

Pete slid onto the bench across from the boy. "Hi," he said. "I'm Pete. What's your name?"

"My name is Kim," replied the boy.

"Where are you from?" asked Pete.

"Korea," answered Kim.

"Want to play ball with us guys?" asked Pete, and Kim gladly joined them.

Pete wasn't sure what made him do it, but as they left to go home after school, he invited Kim to come play at his house. Kim looked pleased, and they both checked to make sure it was okay with their mothers.

Playing with Kim turned out to be more fun than Pete expected. The boys played ping-pong, marbles, and a couple of other games.

 Before long, Pete and Kim became good friends. Their families also met each other, and the boys often visited back and forth. At Kim's house, Pete was served Korean food and taught to eat with chopsticks. He also learned some fascinating things about Korea.

"I'm so glad I decided to talk to Kim when he first came to our school," Pete confided to his father one day. "Every time I visit his home, I feel like I'm on a trip to Korea."

"He who waters will also be watered himself," quoted Dad with a smile.

"What does that mean?" asked Pete.

"It's from the Bible, and it means that actions often work like a boomerang-they come back to you," explained Dad. "Kindness, for example, comes right back to the one who practices it." Dad smiled at Pete. "You were kind to Kim, and you're receiving a special blessing in return-the enjoyment of your 'trips to Korea.'"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you found that treating others well makes life more pleasant for you, too? Maybe it doesn't always seem that way. But even if a person to whom you are kind should fail to respond in gratitude, God sees all, and in His time, He will repay you. When you treat others in the way you like to be treated yourself, it generally will not only make that person happy, but you will be happier, too.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs 11:25

[Soldier4Christ]

 No Returns

Katie stood in front of the mirror in the department store, admiring the long-sleeved shirt she had found on the "clearance" rack. She felt quite grown up. Her mother was allowing her to shop by herself and find something to buy with her birthday money. This shirt is still kind of expensive, but I really like it, thought Katie. The sleeves are too short, but I bet Mom can fix that, so I'm going to get it. I can always return it if I change my mind.

When Katie got home, she showed her mother what she had bought. After looking it over, Mom shook her head. "There's no material here to lengthen the sleeves," she said. "And did you see the stain on the back? That may not come out."

"I didn't even notice that," said Katie with a frown. "I'd better take the shirt back to the store."

Katie went to return the shirt the next day. "Oh, I'm so sorry," said the sales clerk, "but I can't take this back." She pointed to a large sign on the wall. It said: "No Refunds On Clearance Merchandise."

"That's not fair!" Katie pouted. "I didn't see that sign yesterday."

"I'm sorry," said the clerk again, "but that's the store's policy, and I can't change it."

Feeling miserable, Katie trudged home and told her mother about it. "That's too bad, honey," said Mom. "Well, we'll do our best to get rid of the stain . . . and I'll cut the sleeves short. Your money won't be entirely wasted. It will be pretty as a short-sleeved shirt."

Katie frowned. "I guess so," she said, "but I still wish I could just take it back."

"I do, too," agreed Mom. After a moment she added, "I think there's a valuable lesson here, and if you learn it, it will certainly be worth the price of the shirt."

"What lesson is that?" asked Katie when Mom paused.

"It's that the things we do and the decisions we make have consequences," replied Mom. "People are often tempted to do things without considering how it will affect their lives. It's so important to ask Jesus to help you make right choices because no amount of wishing can turn back the clock."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ask God to help you make the right decisions in all your daily activities? Good choices have lasting consequences, and bad ones do, too. When you obey God and serve Him, be sure to thank Him for the blessings He sends your way. If you ever lie, cheat, smoke, take drugs, gossip, or do any other wrong thing, confess it to Jesus. He forgives, but be aware that you may not be able to undo the consequences of your sin. Depend on God daily to help you make wise decisions.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7

[Soldier4Christ]

 Not Garbage

"Alex, what shirt is that you're wearing?" asked Mom as she cut up broccoli for freezing. "Where did you get it?"

"This shirt?" Alex asked, looking at the rock group emblem on the front. "It was Wyatt's. His uncle gave him one just like this for his birthday, and Wyatt didn't want two alike, so he gave me this one."

"Who are you trying to look like?" asked Mom. "If it's the world, you're succeeding. Alex, you're a Christian-shouldn't that make a difference in the way you dress?"

"This isn't so bad," Alex defended himself. "All the kids wear shirts like this."

"You know I don't mind the latest styles as long as they're acceptable," Mom reminded him, "but the way I see it, what you have on now promotes a band that pushes drugs and immorality. That isn't acceptable. Now, go put out the garbage and then go change your shirt."

Alex scowled as he took the garbage cans to the curb. When he came back into the house, his mother was at the front window. "How is it that we have three cans of garbage this week instead of the usual two?" she asked.

"I don't know," said Alex. "They were all there together, so I took them out."

Mom went outside, and Alex followed. "Oh, no!" exclaimed Mom when she looked into one of the cans. "This is filled with vegetables from the garden. Dad decided to store them there until I have time to freeze them. I forgot about that."

"Good thing you noticed the extra can before the garbage truck came," said Alex with a laugh. "Dad wouldn't have been happy if they'd been thrown away."

"That's for sure." Mom laughed, too, but then she grew serious. "You know," she said, "those are good vegetables, but you thought they were garbage because they were stored in the garbage can. In the same way, even though you're a Christian, you don't look like one when you dress like the world."

As Alex put the vegetables back in the garage, he thought about what his mom had said. Looking down at his shirt, he knew she was right, and he ran to his room to change.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you avoid inappropriate clothes, such as T-shirts that have bad slogans, or clothes that imitate the look of an actor or rock star? Your outward appearance makes an impression. The clothes you wear may indicate what kinds of things you like and what moral principles are important to you. Don't let the way you dress be a hindrance in your witness for Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Call from God

Taryn raced through her breakfast. "Gotta get going, okay?" she said pushing away from the table."I told Mrs. Hart I'd come early to help paint scenery for the drama our youth group is doing."

When Taryn came home at suppertime, Mom handed her a piece of paper. "I'm glad you're home," said Mom. "Your friend Amy has been calling all day. She asked if you would call her when you got home. Here's her number."

Taryn frowned. "I know what she wants-help with her homework," she said, "and I don't have time for that. I've got to finish working on some posters."

"Amy sounded a little desperate," said Mom. "Couldn't you give her a little of your time?"

"Do I have to?" asked Taryn. "I want to get these done for Mrs. Hart."

Mom looked thoughtful. "Taryn, suppose Mrs. Hart had asked you to wash and iron costumes instead of painting scenery today?" she asked. "I know you hate ironing . . . so would you have done it?"

Taryn shrugged. "Sure. I'd rather paint, but I like Mrs. Hart. I'd help her out."

"So you'd be willing to do whatever job she gave you," observed Mom. "Do you feel the same way about working for God? Have you thought about what He wants you to do?"

"God?" asked Taryn. "Well . . . sure. Mrs. Hart says putting on this drama is an important ministry because someone might accept the Lord after hearing it. She says all this work we're doing is really for God."

Mom nodded. "I know God is happy to have such a willing servant," she agreed, "but what if He needs you to do something different? For example, when someone needs you badly enough to phone six times, do you suppose it might be a call from God, too?"

Taryn looked at the poster board and paints she had brought home. "I guess I could do these after I help Amy," she admitted. Then her eyes lit up. "And maybe Amy could help me . . . and then I could invite her to the play!"

"Now that's the kind of servant I love-and the kind God loves," said Mom with a smile. She handed Taryn the phone.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think God might be calling you to help someone? Does somebody in your own home need help? Is someone at school struggling with classwork or with friendships? Does a neighbor need help with yard work? It's wonderful to get involved in Christian ministry of all types, but sometimes God needs you to do something extra-special-but that may seem ordinary to you. Think about it-is God calling you? When He calls, will you answer as Samuel did?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Listen for God's instructions

[Soldier4Christ]

 It's a Fact

Brittany sat in her science class, nibbling the end of her pencil, but her mind was still on the message she had heard in church the day before. Pastor Warner had stressed the fact that everyone has sinned and needs Jesus as Savior. Brittany sighed. I know I'm a sinner, and I have asked Jesus to forgive me, she thought. I know the Bible says He will, but . . . I really don't feel like I'm saved. I wonder if I should ask Him to forgive me again, just to make sure. Actually, Brittany often didn't feel like she was saved, so several times before, she had confessed her sin and told Jesus she trusted Him to forgive her.

Suddenly Brittany's thoughts were interrupted as she heard her teacher, Mr. Shanks, saying, "Did you know you're moving and spinning right now? The earth travels around the sun at about 66,600 miles an hour. It takes 365 days to make the 595 million mile circuit. The earth also spins. Like a top, it spins on its axis, making a complete rotation every twenty-four hours. The axis is an imaginary line that connects the North Pole and the South Pole. Those are the facts. So even though we don't feel it, we're not only moving, we're spinning rapidly!"

Wow! thought Brittany. She was impressed. Hey! Wait a minute! Another thought suddenly struck her. Even though I don't feel like I'm spinning, scientists say that I am. And even though I don't feel like I'm saved, the Bible says I am! And the Bible is more accurate than science.

That evening, Dad finished family devotions by asking Brittany to read several verses from First John (see today's Scripture). After reading the verses, Brittany smiled and told her family what she had learned in science class. "I believe what scientists say about the earth moving and spinning, and I believe what God says about salvation," she told them. "It's a fact that the earth is spinning even though I can't feel it, and it's also a fact that I've accepted Jesus as my Savior-so I'm a Christian even though I might not always feel like I am. It doesn't depend on my feelings at all."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you have eternal life? You can be sure of it. The Bible doesn't say you're a Christian if you feel like you are. It says you have eternal life if you've trusted in Jesus Christ to be your Savior. First of all, make sure you've really done that. Then rely on the fact of God's Word, not on your feelings.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
God says: He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:12

[Soldier4Christ]

 God's Handiwork

Kiera's mother watched as her daughter slowly walked through the back door and quietly went to her room. Concerned, Mom followed her. "Kiera? What's wrong?" asked Mom.

Kiera wiped tears from her eyes as she looked at her mother. "It's Jeremy," she replied. Her voice trembled. "Remember that science project I did? I reported on the planets and made a model of them and everything. My teacher put it up on the bulletin board, but Jeremy keeps making fun of it. He gets his friends to laugh about it, too. They say it looks dumb."

"I understand how that could make you feel bad," said Mom. "Jeremy shouldn't do that. But you know you did a good job, and apparently your teacher does, too, so try not to let it bother you, okay? Ignore what he says."

The next morning, Kiera slowly got dressed for school. She walked over to the mirror, tossed her hair back over her shoulder and sighed as she studied herself in the mirror. I wish I didn't have so many freckles, she thought, especially on my arms! Nobody else does.

Mom appeared in the doorway. "Kiera, are you about ready?" asked Mom. "It's getting late."

"Mom, why do I have to have freckles?" asked Kiera. She stretched out her arms. "I'm the only girl who looks like she has brown sugar sprinkled all over." She sighed. "It gives Jeremy and his friends one more thing to tease me about-as if my science project weren't enough."

"I see you're still concerned about those boys laughing at your project models and report," said Mom. "It's not a nice feeling when someone criticizes something you've made, is it? It hurts. Can you think of anyone else who might be feeling that way?"

"Well . . . not really. Who?" asked Kiera.

"God," replied Mom. "The Bible tells us we are 'fearfully and wonderfully' made by God. How do you think He must feel when you complain about what He has designed and made?"

"I . . . I never thought of that, Mom." Kiera glanced at herself in the mirror. The corners of her mouth turned up in a little smile as she repeated the phrase her mother had quoted from a Bible verse. "Fearfully and wonderfully made."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you pleased with the way God made you? Are you satisfied with your size? Your coloring? Your talents? Do you remember that it's God who made you just the way you are? That means you're perfect in His sight! Do keep yourself clean and neat and look your best, but don't criticize God's handiwork!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

[Soldier4Christ]

How Much Faith Is Enough?

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. Luke 17:5-6 (NIV)

When we come to church, we hear a lot talk about faith. We read about faith in the Bible and we sing songs about faith, but what is faith? When we say that we have faith, it means that we believe something is true, even when we can't see it. I heard a story that might help us to understand it better.

One day, a little girl got lost in the woods on a farm near where she lived. The farmer who owned the land found the little girl and said to her, "Don't be afraid; I'll take you home."

The little child looked up at him, and with a smile, said, "I'm not afraid. I knew you would come; I was waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?" said the man. "What made you think I was coming?"

"I was praying that you would." she said.

"You were praying?" the farmer asked. "When I first heard you, you were just saying 'A B C D E F G.' What was that for?"

She looked up again and said, "I wasn't sure exactly what to say, so I was praying all the letters of the alphabet and letting God put them together the way He wanted them. He knew I was lost and he knew how to put the letters together better than I do."

Even though the little girl could not see God, she had faith that he loved her and cared for her. She had faith that if she asked him to help her, he would.

How much faith is enough? Do we need to have a lot of faith, or will just a little bit do? The answer may surprise you.

The followers of Jesus said to him one day, "Give us more faith."

Jesus answered them, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." Do you know how big a mustard seed is? It is so small that you can hardly see it!

When we have faith in God, it isn't a question of how big our faith is, it is a question of how powerful our God is, and with God all things are possible!

Father, we don't ask you to give us more faith. We simply ask that you help us to use the faith that we have and trust you to do the rest. Amen.