Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 Cluttered Places

"This is cool!" Luke murmured to himself as he eagerly sorted through his things, putting some away in his closet and others in drawers. His family had moved into a new home, and he finally had a room all to himself!

As Luke worked, his mother came in to see how he was doing. She sat down on his bed. "What a mess!" she said looking out the window. Luke looked, too. There, at the end of the driveway, was a huge pile of boxes the family had used to move their belongings. "I'm glad today is trash day," Mom continued. "All those boxes clutter the place up and spoil the look of our new home and yard."

"Yeah," agreed Luke. He looked at his own pile of boxes near the door. "I've got to get these out there, too, before the garbage truck gets here."

"Good idea," agreed Mom. "We still have a few things to unpack, so there will be some boxes for next week's trash, but at least most of the clutter will be gone after today."

Luke hurried to empty the rest of the cartons holding his things. Then he added all the empty boxes to the pile waiting at the end of the drive. When he returned to his room, he grinned. With the boxes gone, his room looked so much bigger and more pleasant.

As they finished eating lunch a little later, the garbage truck came. They all watched as the boxes were loaded onto the truck, and they cheered as it drove away. Then Dad reached for the family Bible. "Our lives sometimes get cluttered with trash, too," he said, "and we need to clean it out. For family devotions today, we'll read Psalm 32." He handed the Bible to Luke. "Would you like to read it for us, Luke?"

When Luke finished reading, Dad nodded. "When we confess our sin, our fellowship with God is renewed. That's a more wonderful change than getting those boxes out of our way," he said. "If there is any sin that has piled up like trash, making our lives ugly, we need to confess it to God and allow Him to cleanse us. Let's sit quietly and each of us think over the things that have been going on in our own lives lately. Let's confess to God any sin that's cluttering our lives. After a few moments, I'll close in prayer."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is sin cluttering your life? Sin that is allowed to accumulate can cover the beauty of your life in Christ. Don't let that happen. As you spend time with the Lord each day, examine your heart. Is there a bad attitude? A lie you haven't confessed? Anger toward a friend? Whatever it is, confess it to the Lord and ask Him to give you victory over it. Enjoy the blessing of renewed fellowship with God.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1

[Soldier4Christ]

A Little Man with a Big Problem

 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10 (NIV)

Have you ever been to a parade where you couldn’t see over the person in front of you? It isn't much fun to go to a parade if you can't see the marching bands, the floats, or the fire trucks with their flashing lights, is it? When that happens, a periscope may be just what you need. The periscope has two mirrors in it so that you can look in the bottom and see out the top. It allows you to see over tall objects or even around a corner. Periscopes are used in submarines so that the people in the submarine can see what is happening above the water. I have seen people using these at parades and at sports events where they may have difficulty seeing above the crowd.

Today’s Bible story is about a man who went to a parade, but couldn't see above the crowd. The main attraction in this parade was Jesus. He had become quite famous because he had performed many miracles. He had raised Lazarus from the dead and had restored sight to a blind man named Bartimaus, so when he entered the city of Jericho, the atmosphere was very much like a circus parade. People lined the streets hoping to get a glimpse of Jesus. One of the people in the crowd was a man who was very short. He was so short that he couldn’t see above all the people in the crowd. You probably know this man's name, don't you? That's right, it was Zacchaeus. He didn't have a periscope to help him see above the crowd, but he really wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed a tree and waited for Jesus to pass by.

As Jesus traveled through the streets of Jericho, he came to the place where Zacchaeus sat up in the tree. Jesus stopped, looked up in the tree, and he said, "Zacchaeus, you come down, for I am going to your house today."

The people in the crowd were shocked! You see, Zacchaeus was one of the most hated men in all of Jericho. Why did the people hate him? Because Zacchaeus was a little man with a great big problem! He was a thief and a cheat! He was the chief tax collector and he had become very rich because he cheated people by collecting more taxes than they owed and keeping it for himself. The people could not believe that Jesus would go to the home of a man like that!

Zacchaeus knew that he had cheated people and when he and Jesus arrived at his house, he confessed and said that he was sorry for what he had done. He said to Jesus, "I am going to give half of all that I own to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

Because Zacchaeus was sorry for what he had done and confessed his sin, Jesus forgave him and said, "Today salvation has come to this house." Yes, Zacchaeus was a little man with a big problem -- sin! But he met Jesus and his life was changed. It doesn't matter if you are short or tall, when you meet Jesus, he will change your life too.

Our Father, when we meet Jesus it is a life-changing experience. Thank you for your love and forgiveness. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Citizenship

Curt and Mr. Michaels, who lived next door, worked side by side, raking leaves. Mr. Michaels paused and leaned on his rake. "Curt," he said, "you've been coming to church and Sunday school with me for quite some time now. But I'm wondering-are you a Christian?"

"Oh, I think so," replied Curt. "I try to be good and honest. I obey my parents and teachers pretty well." He gave Mr. Michaels a mischievous grin as he added, "And I help my neighbors rake their leaves."

Mr. Michaels smiled. "That you do," he said, "and at least one neighbor really appreciates it very much. But are you saying that you believe you're a Christian because you're a good kid?"

Curt shrugged. "Well . . . sure," he said.

"You know, Curt," said Mr. Michaels. "Many years ago, a man I knew decided he'd like to be the town's mayor, and he filed the necessary papers. However, he was not a United States citizen. He had lived here a long time, and he said he always thought of himself as a citizen of this country. 'I obey the laws,' he said. 'I'm a good neighbor. I pay my bills.' Now, Curt, do you think the government officials should have told him that was enough for him to become a citizen?"

"No," said Curt. "We learned in school that a foreigner has to be naturalized. He has to give up loyalty to the country he came from and swear allegiance to the United States government."

"Who makes the rules-a foreigner or the United States government?" asked Mr. Michaels.

"The government does," said Curt.

Mr. Michaels nodded. "Well, Curt," he said, "you seem to expect God to make you a citizen in His kingdom based on your rules, which say you must live a good, obedient life. But who has a right to set the rules for heavenly citizenship-you or God?"

"God does," replied Curt. He looked thoughtfully at Mr. Michaels. "I need to apply for citizenship by God's rules, don't I?" asked Curt.

"You do," agreed Mr. Michaels. "Jesus' blood had to be shed on the cross to make your citizenship possible, and God doesn't change His rules for anybody."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you claim to be a citizen of God's kingdom? On what do you base your claim? Do you base it on doing good works, obeying the commandments, being a church member? Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." You can be born again today. (See the ABCs at the end of this book for more help.)


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

[Soldier4Christ]

 Foolish Flies

"Look at this odd plant," called Kelly as he and his fellow campers made their way around the swamp.

"Hm-m-m," murmured Mr. Pete, the counselor. "That's called a pitcher plant! It's one of North America's most interesting insect-eating plants."

"What are all those flies doing down in there?" asked one of the boys as they crowded around and peered into a cluster of leaves.

"That plant has caught them for food," explained Mr. Pete. "It has a substance-kind of like nectar-that attracts insects. They easily enter the opening at the top of the leaves, but the sides are slippery and have thousands of tiny hairs that all point downward, and the flies and bugs can't get back out."

"So they drown in that pool at the bottom, I guess," remarked Kelly. "Those flies thought they were getting something good, but instead they got caught."

"That's right," said Mr. Pete. "The nectar that draws insects to their doom reminds me of how narcotics, or drugs, pull so many young people down. They think they're getting something good, but instead they get caught and become addicted to drugs."

Kelly looked thoughtful. "A kid gave my brother free samples of drugs, so he tried them," he said. "Before Jon knew it, he was hooked pretty bad."

"What happened then?" asked one of the boys.

"Mom and Dad sent him to a drug rehabilitation center. He's there now, and I can't even send him a bag of potato chips or cheese curls because the people are afraid someone might try to sneak him some drugs that way," explained Kelly. He shook his head. "I'm never going to try drugs," he declared. "Not even for free."

"I hope and pray you won't," said Mr. Pete. "It's a very foolish thing to do."

"My dad says alcohol is a kind of drug, too," said one of the boys.

"I agree," said Mr. Pete. "Sometimes it's hard to say no when someone wants us to join in an activity, but God urges us to 'come boldly' to Him for help. Ask Him each day to keep you from ever acting like those foolish flies by giving in to the temptation to try any kind of drug-other than what doctors prescribe for you, of course." As he spoke, they heard a buzzing sound. A fly was circling the pitcher plant, drawing a little closer with each pass.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you attracted by the world's drug culture? By its music? Its way of dressing? The fun some kids using drugs seem to have? Don't be foolish. Keep your distance! The closer you get, the harder it is to turn away. Choose to spend time with kids who hold the same values you do and want to avoid dangerous habits. Ask the Lord daily to keep you safe from the evil influence of anyone involved with drugs. With God's help, say no if drugs are offered to you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. 2 Peter 2:9

[Soldier4Christ]

 Eruptions

"Hi, Mom," called Tracie as she opened the front door. "We had the best class today! We learned about volcanos."

"That sounds interesting," replied Mom. "I remember studying about them, too. They're a fascinating part of nature."

Tracie nodded. "My teacher had a small model of a volcano. He could even make it erupt. Do you know what erupts from a real volcano?"

"Lava, hot gasses, and rock fragments," answered Tracie's brother, Ian, who had also come in from school.

Tracie frowned. "I asked Mom, not you, you big show-off," she growled. Then she went on telling more facts about the volcano. "Pressure builds up, and the red hot ash blasts through the surface. Do you know where it erupts from?" she asked, looking at her mother. She scowled at her brother. "Don't you answer!" she ordered.

But Ian did answer again. "It comes from the mouth of the volcano," he said. "That's at the top of a cone-shaped mountain."

"Wrong!" declared Tracie triumphantly. "That's what it looks like, but the actual opening is lower than the top, or mouth. It's called a vent." She made a face at her brother. "Shows how much you know, dummy. Next time mind your own business and don't answer unless I ask you."

"Tracie," said Mom sternly, "a volcano isn't the only thing with a mouth-we have mouths, too, you know. Perhaps eruptions don't come from the mouths of the volcanos, but our mouths can erupt with hot, vicious, unkind words that hurt other people. Sometimes we 'vent our feelings' by spewing out angry words. I'm afraid you've been allowing that to happen."

"Well, I told Ian not to answer, but he won't listen," Tracie defended herself.

"That doesn't make it okay for you to talk the way you did," said Mom. "We can't control volcanic eruptions, but we can learn to control our tongues and our mouths if we depend on God to help us do that."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do unkind words sometimes slip out of your mouth? Remember that God made your mouth and tongue to praise and glorify Him. The old saying that "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me" isn't true. Words may not hurt bones, but they can hurt feelings-and that may be even worse. As soon as you feel a hot, vicious "eruption" building up, breathe a prayer, asking God to help you control your tongue and say only words pleasing to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. James 3:10

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Different Point of View

As Roxie sat curled up on the couch, her cat jumped up on her lap. "Oh, Mittens. Things will never be the same anymore," said Roxie sadly. "We're moving, and I'll never see my friends again."

"And you're not going to like moving either, Mittens." Hearing Dad's voice behind her, Roxie turned in surprise. He sat down next to her, and she stared at him curiously as he went on talking to the cat. "We're going to put you in the pet carrier and put it on the plane. You're going to think your life will never be the same." Dad paused. "Poor kitty," he added sadly.

"Dad!" protested Roxie. "Mittens will fuss when we put her in the pet carrier. She never likes that, and I suppose she might wonder why we're treating her that way. But once we get to our new house in the country, she'll like it better there than here."

"Hm-m-m-m," murmured Dad. "Do you really think so, Roxie?"

"Sure she will," insisted Roxie. "You said she'll be able to climb trees at our new house and chase mice in the barn. She'll like that. She'll like living in our new place once she gets there."

"Since you're not a cat and Mittens is, you see things from a different point of view than she does, don't you? You know that when she gets to her new home in the country, she'll be happy there, right?" Roxie nodded. "Well, honey, just like you see the cat's future from a different point of view than she does, God sees your future from a different point of view than you do. He knows moving will be painful for you for a while, but He also sees past that to the wonderful things He has in store for you in our new home. Trust Him and let Him help you get over the hurt so you can enjoy your new experiences."

Roxie sniffed as she stroked Mittens. When she spoke again, it was to the cat. "Well, Mittens, maybe there's a different world out there for both of us," said Roxie finally. "We might even find a tree to climb together." Roxie smiled a little as she gave the cat a gentle squeeze.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you find it hard to believe that what's happening in your life can be good? Remember that God sees things in a different way than you do. His thoughts and His ways are far better than what you could ever plan. He doesn't let you see into the future, but He sees what's there, and He knows what's best for you. You must live by faith and trust God to use even the hard things to work for good in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Dripping Faucet

Dad crawled out from under the sink. "I used to look forward to Saturdays before we moved here," he said with only a hint of a smile. "Since we began to restore this old house to its original splendor, it seems like there are never enough hours in the day to fix everything."

Gwen had just come into the kitchen for a drink. "Well, Dad, if you're finished with the garbage disposal, you can move on to the next thing on our list," she said with a grin.

Dad rubbed his eyes. "Ah-h-h . . . the list. I sure am learning to dislike the list! So what's next on that thing?" he asked, sounding gruff on purpose.

Gwen laughed. "The hot water faucet in the upstairs bathroom. It's leaking," she said, "but maybe there are other things you should do first."

"I don't know," said Dad as he got to his feet. "We can't ignore it too long. An article I read the other day said that if you have a hot water faucet that's dripping, it's not too long before you waste about as much energy as would be used by a TV that was turned on eight hours a day for a month."

"Really?" asked Gwen in surprise. She turned to her mother. "Did you know that, Mom?"

"I read the same article, and that's what it said," replied Mom.

"Do you ladies know that the passing of time is something like the water dripping from the faucet upstairs?" asked Dad. "As the water drips out, it doesn't seem like much, but slowly and surely it adds up to a lot. That happens with time, too. We get busy with something, and before we know it, quite a few hours slip away. And it all happened so slowly. Slowly . . . but surely."

Gwen looked doubtful, but then she grinned and nodded. "That's true," she agreed. "I'm so busy lately going to school and doing homework and helping fix our house-and the hours slip away and don't leave me any time to play." Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she made a mournful face. "It's really very sad."

Mom and Dad laughed. "It gets me right here," joked Dad, his hand over his heart. "Seriously, we do need 'fun times,' but we should be careful that idle activities don't take up too much of the time God gives us."

Gwen smiled and nodded. "I'm sure you'll both help me remember that."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How do you use the time God gives you? There are many wholesome fun activities in which you can take part, and it's good to do that. But don't let any of them take up time you should be using in some other way. In the Bible, God speaks of "redeeming the time." That means to use it wisely. For kids, it usually means to do such things as study lessons, do chores, or help others before spending time at play. How can you make the best use of your time today?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Ephesians 5:15-16)
See then that you walk . . . as wise, redeeming the time..

[Soldier4Christ]

 No More Dayken

Grandma's sweet voice whispered, "Amen" after Patty knelt at her side and asked Jesus to be her Savior. "Now you'll always have a friend close beside you, honey," said Grandma, giving Patty a warm hug. "You won't see Him, but He is real and He's right there with you. Talk to Him every day, and read some verses from your Bible each day, too. When you do that, ask Jesus to help you understand what He's saying to you."

 Patty nodded. "He really will be with me all the time, right?" she asked. "He'll be my friend?"

 "He absolutely will," Grandma assured her.

 For a long moment Patty sat with a faraway look in her eyes. Then she glanced at Grandma. "Grandma, do you remember my friend Dayken?"

 "Dayken!" Grandma exclaimed with a laugh. "You mean the little imaginary friend you had when you were three years old?"

 "Yes." Patty laughed, too. "Back then, Dayken was my best friend, even if she was 'just pretend.' I couldn't see her, but I really felt like there was someone for me to play with all day long. When I had Dayken, I was never lonely."

"Did anyone ever laugh at you for having an imaginary friend?" asked Grandma.

"Yes, sometimes." Patty nodded. "But I didn't care. Dayken was important to me, even though I knew she was make-believe. Of course, after a while I grew out of what Mom called my 'Dayken phase,' and I stopped pretending she was real." She thought for a moment. "But you just said that now I'll have Jesus with me all the time. That will be much better because He's real-not just an imaginary friend, right?"

 "That's right, and you'll never grow up too much or get too old for your new friend, Jesus," Grandma assured her. "People may not always believe in Him, and they might even laugh at you for believing you have a friend no one can see . . . but He is very real and alive. As you grow older and He becomes more real to you, you'll see Him at work in your life. He'll be the best real friend you'll ever have. And He's promised that some day, you'll get to see Him face to face!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you lonely sometimes? Maybe you've had an imaginary friend. That can be fun for a while, but it's only make-believe. Jesus is real, and He wants to be your best friend. Have you asked Him to come into your heart? If not, do so today (see the ABCs at the end of this book). Then you'll have a real friend to talk with any time. Even better, you'll meet Him face to face some day.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I have called you friends. John 15:15

[Soldier4Christ]

 Stair Steps

"Fried chicken!" exclaimed Jim. "I'm glad you invited me for dinner!"

"We are, too," said Grandma as she passed the chicken. "We enjoy having you."

"You know how I've always wanted to be a doctor?" asked Jim as he helped himself to a drumstick. Grandpa nodded. "Well, we had a special visitor in Bible club last week-Dr. Campbell. He's a surgeon from a mission hospital in Africa. They need lots more doctors there, so maybe I'll go to Africa someday," Jim reported enthusiastically. "I told God I'd go wherever He wants me to."

Grandma smiled. "That's great, honey," she said.

"Yeah, but . . ." Jim paused. "I don't know how I can ever do it, though," he added. "It costs a lot to go to school to learn to be a doctor, and we're pretty poor since Dad died. I bet the studies are hard, too. I might not be smart enough."

"Oh, I don't think that will be a problem," Grandpa assured him. "And if it's what God wants you to do, He'll help you work it out." Jim still looked doubtful.

After dinner, Jim and Grandpa went out to the garden to pick strawberries to eat with ice cream. "Look at all the berries!" exclaimed Jim. "We should have brought a bigger container. I'll go get one." He ran to the house and tried to take the four steps to the porch in one big leap. He didn't make it, and slipped back.

When Jim returned, Grandpa grinned at him. "You couldn't take all four steps at once, could you?" said Grandpa. "Well, reaching the goal of being a missionary doctor is like reaching the top of those steps. God expects you to take one step at a time. He doesn't expect you to get there all at once."

Jim looked back at the steps. "I can see the steps here," he said, "but . . . I'm not sure I know what the steps are that God would want me to take."

"I think you took your first step when you told God you'd serve Him wherever He wants you," suggested Grandpa. "Probably the next one will be to study hard. And maybe the third will be learning to save money. You can start by saving some of the money you get from an allowance or from doing special chores. Trust God to show you each step and help you accomplish it."

"Well, I guess I better go home and start on my second step," said Jim. "I've got a test tomorrow." He grinned. "I'll go as soon as I've had my ice cream, okay?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you feel God wants you to do something that seems impossible to you? Be sensitive to what He wants you to do both now and in the future. Don't be afraid to say yes to God. Do you think He wants you to witness to someone? To go out of your way to do something kind? To find a way to give money for His work? To do better in school? It's not impossible to do anything He wants you to do. He will help you as you trust Him-and with His help, you can do it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

[Soldier4Christ]

In Heaven Forever

"And they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection." Luke 20:36 (NIV)

You know what a riddle is, don't you? It is a word puzzle -- a question that makes you think. Sometimes riddles are funny. I'm sure you have probably heard this one. "Why did the chicken cross the road?" The answer is, "To get to the other side." Here are a few of my favorite riddles.

Q: Mary's father has 4 children; three are named Nana, Nene, and Nini. What is the fourth child's name?

A: Mary! (You may have to explain!)

Q: How many months have 28 days?

A: All of them! (Some may have 30 or 31, but all have 28!)

Q: What is full of holes but can still hold water?

A: A sponge! (You might show them one!)

Riddles have been around since the time of Jesus. Maybe longer than that. One day, Jesus was approached by a group of Sadducees — religious leaders who did not believe in the resurrection. They were trying to trick Jesus into agreeing that there was no resurrection. They asked him to answer this riddle: “The law of Moses says that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued until all seven brothers had married the same woman. Finally, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be after the resurrection since all seven were married to her!”

My, that is a tricky riddle, isn't it? Listen to Jesus' answer.

Jesus replied, "Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those who are raised from the dead will not marry or be married. Not only that, but they will never die again. They will live forever as the children of God."

Jesus went on to say, "Even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' He is not the God of the dead, he is the God of the living."

After Jesus answered their riddle so wisely, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Now, you and I know that Jesus promised us that if we love him and trust in him, we will live forever in heaven with him. Isn't it sad that some people do not believe there is a a resurrection and eternal life in heaven? Oh, that reminds me of one more riddle!

Q. Why were the people in today's Bible lesson called Sadducees?

A. Since they didn’t believe in the resurrection or the happines of heaven, they were very "Sad, you see!"

Dear Father, we are happy today that you have promised us eternal life in heaven. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Lest We Forget

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes. Job 19:25-27a (NIV) But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection. Luke 20:35-36 (NIV)

This week we celebrate a very special holiday.

- It isn't Thanksgiving, even though it is a day to give thanks.

- It isn't Independence Day, even though it is a day to celebrate freedom.

- It isn't Valentine Day, even though it is a day to think about love.

The holiday we celebrate this week is called Veterans Day. This holiday is celebrated in many countries around the world. In some countries it is called Armistice Day. In others it may be called Remembrance Day. No matter what you call it, it is a day on which we honor the men and women who have served in the military. We also honor those who have died for the cause of freedom. It is a time for us to say "Thank you" for the sacrifices they have made. It is a time to think about the freedoms we enjoy because they were willing to serve. It is a time to think about love -- the love they showed for their country and for their fellow man.

How do we celebrate Veterans' Day? I guess many people will celebrate it just like they celebrate any other holiday. They will go to the mall and go shopping! I would like to suggest some other ways we might celebrate this important holiday.

- Fly a flag in your yard to remind others that this is a day to honor those who have served.

- Spend some time in prayer. Give thanks to God for those who served to defend the cause of freedom.

- Observe two minutes of silence. Concentrate on remembering those who have died defending the cause of freedom.

- Wear a Poppy. A Poppy is a red flower which is worn to show others that you are remembering those who died for their country. The poppy was chosen because it reminds us of a place called Flanders Fields where many soldiers from the first World War are buried. The poppies grow there between the crosses that mark their graves.

Veterans Day is a holiday that we take very seriously, but that doesn't mean that it is a time to mope around and be sad. It is a happy occasion indeed. We can be happy that because of the sacrifice of these brave men and women, you and I enjoy great freedom. We can also be happy that even though many of these brave soldiers died in battle, that is not the end of their story. Here is the rest of the story -- those who had put their trust in God will be raised and will go to be with the him. That is a promise from God's Word. Listen to these words from the book of Job, "My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I will see God. I will see him for myself."

You know, that promise is not for soldiers alone. It is for you and me as well. It is for all who put their faith and trust in God. Jesus said, "Those who are considered worthy of taking part in the resurrection are like the angels. They can no longer die. They are God's children." We are God's children and one day we will see him. Won't that be a wonderful day!

Dear Father, we remember and honor those who have served to preserve and protect our freedom. We also celebrate the resurrection, because all of us who have placed our faith and trust in you -- even though we die -- will live again. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 How's Your Appetite?

"What's for dinner?" asked David. "I'm starved!"

"Beef and vegetable casserole," replied Mom as she passed the dish.

"All right!" exclaimed David.

Mom smiled at his enthusiastic response. "I remember when you didn't like it," she said. "You used to like very few vegetables at all. I'm glad that's changed."

"I used to want cookies and candy and pop all the time," David remembered. "Sometimes when I ate so much junk food, I didn't feel very good, but now I like lots of stuff that's good for me." He playfully flexed his muscles. "See how strong I've gotten to be?"

When Dad took the family Bible from a shelf after dinner, David glanced at his watch. "Couldn't we skip devotions just this once?" he asked. "My favorite cartoon will be on TV in just a couple of minutes."

"Yes," said Dad, "but . . . remember what happens if you fill up on junk food?"

"I don't do that anymore," said David. "I eat good stuff now, and I'm healthy and strong! But what does that have to do with the football game?"

"Eating good food helps you remain healthy, right? Well, that's true regarding spiritual health, too," explained Dad. "When you regularly feed your soul the best food available-God's Word-you become a stronger, healthier Christian."

"You mean just reading a few verses in my Bible every day will do that for me?" teased David. He knew that wasn't what Dad meant. "Well, that won't take me very long."

Dad smiled. "You need to read them, think about them, and obey them."

Mom nodded. "How did you learn to like vegetables?" she asked.

"You always made me eat a little," said David. "Before I knew it, I liked them."

"By eating them, even if you didn't feel like it, you developed an appetite for them," observed Dad. "That happens with spiritual things, too. You may not always feel like reading and obeying God's Word, attending church, or taking part in wholesome activities, but doing so helps develop your appetite for those things."

"And I can see that I'm going to work on developing those appetites right now," observed David with a grin.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are you feeding your soul? Are you filling your heart and mind with the world's music, cartoons, and bad programs? If so, retrain your "appetite" by reading God's Word, listening to Christian music, and reading good books. Then get spiritual exercise-obey God's instructions. You may not always feel like learning more about God or doing the things you know you should, but do them anyway. He will bless you for your faithfulness, and you may be surprised at how your "tastes" change!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2

[Soldier4Christ]

 Punish or Protect?

"I still don't see why I can't go," muttered Jeanie unhappily.

Mom sighed. "For one thing, honey, you're too young, even to double-date without a chaperone," she said, "and for another, Dad and I just don't think that movie is suitable for you."

Jeanie shoved back her chair violently. "I hate all your rules and regulations," she stormed. "It's mean and unfair not to let me have fun."

"Jeannie . . ." began Mom sternly, but she was interrupted when the front door banged loudly and Benny limped in.

"Mommy! I hurt my leg," wailed Benny. "I was playing in that old junkyard near Conner's house, and something pricked my foot and . . ." Benny broke into sobs, ". . . and it hurts, Mommy!"

"I'm sure it does," said Mom soothingly as she examined the ugly red cut on Benny's foot. "Let's go clean it and put some medicine on it. We'll have to check with Dr. Mason and make sure your tetanus shots are all up to date."

Jeanie leaned over to hug her little brother. "That place ought to be fenced off," she said angrily. "It's full of rusty nails and pieces of barbed wire. Benny could've gotten badly hurt." She shook her head in disgust. "There's not even a danger sign posted to warn kids to stay away."

"No, but Benny does know he's not allowed to play there, don't you, Ben?" said Mom as she washed his foot. Benny nodded solemnly. "But since he and the other kids have fun playing there," Mom continued after a moment, "do you think maybe we should adjust our rules and not tell him to stay away from . . ."

"You've gotta be kidding!" interrupted Jeanie, staring at her mother in surprise.

"Why?" asked Mom. "Why should we have that rule? Benny doesn't like it."

"No, but it's to keep him from getting hurt," said Jeanie. "It's for his own good even though he doesn't like it."

Mom nodded. "That's also true of other rules Dad and I make," she told her daughter. "They're not to punish you, honey, or to spoil your fun. The rules we make are to protect you from harm. They're to make your life better, not to make it unpleasant."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you understand the value of your parents' rules? When they tell you to be home by a certain time, not to watch some program on TV or to listen to a particular kind of music, do you think they're being mean and trying to spoil your fun? It's not always easy to obey, but remember that both God's rules and your parents' rules are intended to protect you-your body, your mind, your heart, and your soul-from harm. They're not there to punish you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Virus

"Da-a-ad!" cried Joey, gazing at his computer screen in dismay. "A virus! Brian just sent me an email. He says there's a virus in the game I downloaded from his website! That could ruin the hard drive."

Dad looked up from his newspaper. "Oh-oh!" he said. "How much damage has it done?"

"I don't know yet," replied Joey gloomily.

"What's a virus?" asked little Rachel, climbing onto Dad's knee. "Isn't that what gives you the flu?"

"That's right," said Dad. "When a virus gets into your body, it can make you ill. But a different kind of virus can get into a computer, and once it does, it can spread and spoil the programs you've put on your computer."

"I don't know how to fix this, Dad," said Joey. "Can you help me?"

"I'm not sure just what the procedure is, either," said Dad, "but have a friend who works on computers-I'll check with him." Dad smiled at Rachel. "We need to get rid of viruses as soon as possible-whether they're on the computer or in our lives."

"Yeah. We have to take medicine to make us all better," said Rachel as Joey turned the computer off.

By the following week, the computer had been fixed and an anti-virus program was installed. "I know two kinds of viruses," announced Rachel proudly as Joey was using the computer one evening. "Joey's computer kind and the kind that makes us sick."

"I know a third kind," said Dad. "Anybody want to guess what that is?" He waited, but neither of the kids had a suggestion. "Sin is like a virus," said Dad. "If we don't pay attention to the Holy Spirit and be careful about what we see and hear and do, sin creeps in quietly. Then it spreads and grows and finally spoils our thinking and our hearts."

"Can we get cleaned up like Joey's computer?" asked Rachel anxiously.

Dad laughed and nodded. "We have something like an anti-virus program," he said. "We can confess and turn away from our sin. We can have God's forgiveness, which makes us clean again."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you allow any " little" sins in your life? A half-truth, a neglected chore, an unkind word, a forbidden movie . . . these might seem small, but don't let them creep into your heart and harm you like a virus does. Confess all sin to God and turn away from doing it again. Fill your heart and mind with God's Word-let it act like an anti-virus program to prevent the "virus of sin" from coming in and spreading in your life.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Antique Mirror

"Mom, look at this old mirror!" Carrie exclaimed. She and her mother were checking to see if anything in the attic should be put on their garage sale. As she looked in the mirror, Carrie giggled at her short, squat reflection. "This mirror makes me look so funny. I bet it wouldn't sell for much."

Mom came up behind her and looked. "Well, I want to keep it anyway," she said with a laugh. "That mirror is very old. It belonged to your Great-Great-Grandmother Stevens."

"Can we take it down to show everybody?" asked Carrie.

"Sure," agreed Mom, "they'd like to see it, too."

That evening, the Stevens family laughed together over their reflections in the antique mirror. "It's fun to see myself in this old mirror, but it makes me look all squashed," said Carrie. "I'm sure glad we have better ones to use now."

Her brother Noah nodded. "Me, too," he said.

"I wonder what each of us reflects as we go about our tasks each day," murmured Mom.

"You make it sound like we're mirrors!" exclaimed Noah. "Mirrors reflect things. We're people, not mirrors."

Mom smiled. "In a way, people are also mirrors," she said. "What they read and see is often reflected in what they say and do. We're Christians, so Jesus should be reflected in our words and actions."

"Yes, and it should be a true image of Him," added Dad. "People should see Jesus in us, the way He really is-not a 'squashed' reflection."

"A squashed reflection?" asked Noah. "What would that be?"

"Well, people sometimes get the impression that Christians think they're better than other people," said Dad. "Or they may hear Christians gossip or see them cheat or be unkind. Then they wouldn't be seeing a true picture of Jesus."

"That's right," agreed Mom. "We should reflect characteristics of Jesus. What are some of them?"

"Love . . . kindness . . . helpfulness . . . patience . . ." Carrie and Noah took turns naming them.

Mom nodded. "Those are things people should see in our lives," she said.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do others see Jesus in you? Can He be seen when you're talking with your friends and when you're playing at school or in your neighborhood? Do you reflect Jesus' great love for everybody? Or is your reflection of Him marred by mean and hateful actions? Yield to Jesus each moment of the day so your life can be a true reflection of His love. Let others see Him in the way you live.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Let us love one another, for love is of God. 1 John 4:7