Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

The Sad Night

"La Noche Triste," murmured Scott as his sister Carrie entered the living room. "I gotta remember that-it might be on our test tomorrow."

"What does it mean?" asked Carrie.

"It's Spanish for 'The Sad Night.' You'll learn about it next year," said Scott as he closed his social studies book.

"Why was it sad?" Carrie wanted to know.

"Well, it's something that happened more than four hundred years ago," began Scott. "The Aztec Indians had a great city on an island. A Spanish leader by the name of Cortes was able to take his army into the city because the Indian ruler thought the Spanish leader was a god." In her mind, Carrie pictured the Spanish troops, led by Cortes, going to visit the Indian settlement.

"When that Indian ruler died, Cortes and his men had to leave," continued Scott, "but before they did, they loaded up all the gold they could carry. As they tried to escape, the Indians attacked them. Many Spanish soldiers tried to swim to the mainland, but they drowned because the weight of the gold pulled them down. It was called 'The Sad Night' because more than half of the Spanish army died that night."

"Wow! Why didn't they get rid of the gold when they saw it weighed them down?" asked Carrie.

Scott shrugged. "I don't know. I guess they were just too greedy and wanted to keep it."

"Apparently they were a lot like people today," observed Dad, who had been listening. "Many try to get as much earthly treasure as they possibly can. They seem to think enough money can buy anything, but they're never satisfied."

"There are lots of things money can't buy," said Carrie. "Our Sunday school lesson last week was about that."

"Good," approved Dad. "I'm glad you were listening. What did you learn? What can't money buy?"

"Quite a few things," replied Carrie. "Peace, happiness, contentment-and especially forgiveness of sins."

Dad nodded. "It will be a sad time for those who stand before God without the Lord Jesus-the one treasure that gives eternal life."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
How important is money to you? Do you think it can buy anything you might want? Friends? Happiness? Contentment? Security? If you think that, you're wrong. Some people spend their whole lives seeking more and more money for themselves, thinking that will make them happy. The only way to true happiness and eternal life is through Jesus Christ. Accept Him today.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36

[Soldier4Christ]

Two Important Tests

Joanna was trying to concentrate on her math lesson when her mother appeared in the doorway of her room. "Hi, Mom," said Joanna with a big sigh. "We're having a test tomorrow, and I'm afraid I won't pass it. I can't seem to study. Since Dad left, my mind is always somewhere else."

Mom entered the room and put her arm around Joanna. "I understand, honey. I miss him, too," said Mom sadly. "Now that he's gone, we tend to forget your father's drinking problem and how he was always losing his temper and getting angry with us. We weren't happy then, either, you know."

"I know," replied Joanna. A tear slid down her cheek. She slammed her book shut. "Mom, why didn't God answer our prayers? Didn't we pray enough? Is it our fault Dad didn't change and stay with us? Will he come back some day?"

Mom shook her head. "I don't know if he'll be back, honey, but we did all we could do," Mom assured her. "You mustn't blame yourself, nor God, either. When a person is determined to go his own way, God allows him to do it. We'll continue to pray for Dad and for each other. God does answer prayer, but in His own time and in His own way."

"But what about us now?" cried Joanna sadly. "Doesn't God care about us?"

"Oh, honey, the same God who loved us so much that He gave His Son to die for us loves us just as much now as ever," replied Mom. "I know it's hard, but just like we trusted Jesus to save us from our sins, we can trust Him now to take care of us. He can give us peace-He's the only one who can do that. Do you remember what it says in First Peter 5:7?"

Joanna nodded. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you," she quoted slowly.

Mom nodded. "It's a little like you have two tests to pass just now," she said. "One is the test of remembering God's promise to care for you, and the other is the math test. If you can manage the first, I dare say you'll manage the other, too."

"I'll try to remember that God does care, Mom, and that I can leave my burden with Him," said Joanna. "Then I think I can settle down and study."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you forget how much God cares for you-because you worry so much about the behavior of someone else? Satan wants you to be frustrated and unhappy, but Jesus wants to give you His joy and peace. Trust God to work everything out for your good even when you can't understand why He allows difficult things to happen.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

[Soldier4Christ]

Where They "Don't Be"

"Guess what," said Mike one evening. "Jon Blackburn invited a bunch of us guys to spend the weekend at his ranch. May I go? Please? There will be horseback riding and a barbecue and everything."

"Tell us more," replied Dad. "What else will they be doing?"

Mike shuffled his feet uneasily. "I don't know exactly," he said.

"Will they be going to church on Sunday?" asked Dad. Mike shrugged, but after more discussion, he admitted that after the barbecue, the boys planned to go into town with Jon's dad.

"Not going to Harry's Hangout, are they?" asked Dad, naming a place where rough, older boys and men spent a lot of time-and where alcohol flowed freely.

"Just to play a few video games while Jon's dad takes care of business," said Mike, "and we'll keep away from those tough guys. I won't do anything I shouldn't."

"Don't be too sure about that, Mike. You'd be putting yourself in a position where there could be strong peer pressure," Mom told him. "Resisting something wrong might be much harder than you think."

"But, Mom," protested Mike, "there are temptations everywhere I go. I can't help that."

"You're right, Mike," replied Mom, "but you don't have to hang around places where it might be especially hard to resist. When my great-grandmother Pearson was a girl . . ."

Mike grinned. "Here comes a story," he teased.

Mom smiled. "Well, it fits the occasion," she said. "When my great-grandma was young, a girl-Clara Jones-lived across a field from her. Clara hadn't lived in America very long, and Grandma always loved to hear the way she talked. One day, Clara walked barefoot to Grandma Pearson's house. Grandma knew there were lots of sandspurs in the field, so she asked, 'Clara, didn't the sandspurs hurt your feet?' 'No,' said Clara. 'I gits where they don't be. I stays on the road.' That's the way a Christian should walk in this world, Mike. Yes, there are many temptations to sin, but as much as possible, you should stay where they are not."

"Tell you what, Mike," said Dad. "You may go with the boys, but I'll pick you up right after the barbecue Saturday evening. How's that? You can still have a good time, but as for the temptations-well, you'll 'git where they don't be.'"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there strong peer pressure for you to do things that are wrong? It's hard enough to resist any evil, but there are some situations where temptation can be especially strong. Avoid such places. Choose Christian friends. Join Christ-honoring, wholesome activities. Give your sinful nature less chance to yield to temptation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:14

[Soldier4Christ]

Salty Speech

Morgan watched eagerly as her grandmother began to pop some corn. "Tell me about school, Morgan," said Grandma. "Have you made new friends?"

Morgan sighed. "Not really," she said. "I've tried to make friends, but it's not easy to move to a new town and go to a new school, Grandma."

As Morgan talked about the kids she had met, Grandma noticed that she complained about many of them. "Are you being friendly to them?" Grandma asked. Morgan shrugged, watching as Grandma poured popcorn into a bowl and handed it to her.

Morgan took the bowl and began to eat the popcorn. But then she frowned and put the bowl down. "It needs salt," she said.

"Oh, that's right!" exclaimed Grandma. "I forgot that I still had a salt-free kind-Grandpa wasn't allowed to have salt for a while, you know." She reached for the salt shaker. "I'm wondering if your attempts to make friends might be something like this popcorn," added Grandma.

"Like this popcorn?" asked Morgan. "What do you mean?"

"Well, without salt, there isn't much flavor to popcorn," said Grandma. "God says our speech is something like that, too. Colossians 4:6 says it needs salt, and I'm wondering if you're using it."

Morgan laughed. "So I should carry a salt shaker and sprinkle some on my tongue before I talk?" she asked.

Grandma laughed, too. "No," she said, "but you need to recognize that if your words are negative or complaining, people won't care for any more after the first taste. On the other hand, if your words are 'seasoned with salt,'- if you're saying things that are positive, things that are kind and make people feel special-they'll like talking with you and will be back for more." She handed Morgan the bowl of popcorn. "Try this again," suggested Grandma. "See how it is now."

Morgan took the bowl, and put some in her mouth. "Salt really makes a difference," she said. "I'll be back for more."

Grandma nodded."Try God's advice," she said. "Use a little 'salt' at school tomorrow, too. If you do that, I think your classmates will 'be back for more.'"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
When you talk, do you often complain? Do you put others down? Or do you say things that are kind and encouraging? Try adding a little "salt" to your words by saying things that are positive. Then people will be back for more. You may be surprised how easy it is to make new friends when you follow God's advice.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt. Colossians 4:6

[Soldier4Christ]

Yes or No? A Parable of Two Sons

The Parable of the Two Sons: Matthew 21:28-32

Has your mother or your father ever asked you to help out around the house by doing some chores? I'm sure that has probably happened to you. This morning I am going to tell a story about a father who had two sons named John and William. One day dad walked into John's room to find him building a model airplane. "John, we had a lot of wind last night and there are leaves scattered all over the yard. Would you please rake the leaves and put them in these trash bags?" dad asked.

"Aw Dad, I don't have time to rake the leaves. I am working on this model airplane and I really want to finish it today," John answered.

The father turned and left the room and went to look for William. He found William watching TV. "William, there are a lot of leaves in the yard. Would you please rake the leaves and put them in these bags?" dad asked.

"Sure, I'd be glad to," William answered.

"Great!" said dad. "I'll leave the rake and the trash bags in the yard."

After his father left, John began to think about what he had asked him to to do. "I can rake the leaves and still have plenty of time to finish my model airplane later," John thought to himself. He went outside and began raking the leaves.

When dad returned home, he saw John raking leaves. "Where is William?" dad asked.

"I don't know. The last time I saw him he was watching TV," John replied.

When dad went into the house, guess what he saw? There sat William, still watching TV! I wonder which of the two sons pleased his father? John, who said he wouldn't rake the leaves, but did -- or William, who said he would rake the leaves, but didn't?

In our Bible lesson today, Jesus told a similar story to show how different people obey what God has called them to do. In Jesus' parable of the two sons, the father asked both sons to go and work in his vineyard. Just as the two boys in my story, one son answered, "No," but went and worked. The other son answered "yes" did not go. In telling the story, Jesus wanted us to realize that what we do is more important than what we say we will do. Jesus wants us to answer, "Yes," when he tells us to "Love one another," but what he really wants is for us to love one another! Jesus wants us to answer, "Yes," when he says,"Follow me," but what he really wants is for us to follow him! That's the kind of child I want to be. Isn't it the kind of child you want to be?

Father, sometimes we say, "Yes," but our actions say, "No." Help us to be faithful to do what you have called us to do. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Goldfish or Puppies

Rex sat in the living room and pouted while his little sister played on the front porch with her new kitten. If Lisa can have a kitten, I don't see why I can't have a puppy! he thought angrily.

"Rex," said Dad when he saw his son's unhappy face and heard his complaints, "you don't have any excuse for acting the way you do. You had the same chance to have a puppy as Lisa did to have a kitten. If you had taken good care of your goldfish, we'd have allowed you to get a puppy. Instead of caring for the fish, you neither cleaned its bowl nor fed it. Lisa had to take over and do your work as well as hers."

"But I don't like goldfish anymore!" wailed Rex.

"You didn't have to like the fish," said Dad, "but you brought it home from the penny carnival, so you did have to take good care of it. If we can't trust you to take care of something small, how can we expect you to care for something bigger and more complicated-like a dog?" Dad paused, then added, "You know, Rex, it's a good thing to remember that God often works in this way, too."

"What do you mean?" asked Rex. "Are you saying I shouldn't ask Him for a puppy?"

"No," replied Dad, "but I'm saying that God usually trusts His children with small tasks before giving them bigger things to do. I've known people who had dreams of doing great things for God, but they lacked the discipline to follow through on things that seem small-like doing everyday tasks faithfully and cheerfully." Dad squeezed Rex's shoulder, and added, "Doing well in small things-even jobs like caring for a goldfish-helps us prepare for bigger tasks God might give us."

Rex thought about his father's words. "Dad?" he said after a moment. "Can I have my goldfish back?"

Dad smiled. "I suppose we could give it another try," he agreed.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you do your best in small tasks that are given to you? Do you do a good job with your chores? With your school work? With piano practice? How about with studying and obeying the Bible, praying, and witnessing to friends? All those are the kinds of jobs God generally gives to kids. Be faithful in doing them. Then you can be trusted with even greater things in the future.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

[Soldier4Christ]

Poor Ricky

"It's almost time for supper," said Molly as she and her brother played at a friend's house. "We'd better be going home, Micah."

"Right," agreed Micah, so they said goodbye and started home.

As they passed an empty lot, Molly and Micah heard the sound of crying. And there, in the long grass, they saw Ricky Taylor-Icky Ricky, the neighborhood children called him. Not only was he generally dirty and smelly, he was also the school bully. Yet here he was, crying like a baby! "Look," said Molly, pointing. "He busted his bike." The badly wrecked bike lay in a heap. The boy had a skinned knee, and the kids noticed blood on his cheek. Micah and Molly looked at him for a moment, and then hurried on by. Neither said so, but each was secretly thinking that "Icky Ricky" finally had gotten what he deserved.

Soon after arriving at home, Molly and Micah heard their father driving in. When they went to the kitchen, they were amazed to find Dad helping Ricky Taylor into the house! "Look what happened to this poor young man," said Dad, pulling up a chair for Ricky. Mom quickly began cleaning Ricky's knee and face. As Molly and Micah hung back near the wall, Ricky told Dad that he lived with his grandmother. Soon Ricky and his wrecked bike were on their way home in Dad's car.

"I'm so glad your dad came along when he did," declared Mom. "Not everyone helps people like your father does. He's really a Good Samaritan."

"A Good Samaritan?" asked Molly guiltily.

"You mean like the man in the Bible?" asked Micah. Both children had heard the story many times, and now they felt ashamed.

"Yes," said Mom. "Many people are like the priest and Levite in that story-they pretend not to see the person in trouble. But your dad loves God, and he knows God loves all kinds of people. Dad knows God is pleased when we show His love to others-even those who don't seem lovely to us-so that's what he wants to do."

Molly and Micah knew they should have helped Ricky. Then Micah had an idea. "Do you think Ricky would like to have my old, blue bike?" he asked. "I don't use it since I got that one from Grandpa, but it's still good."

"Nice idea!" exclaimed Mom. "I'm sure Ricky-and God-will be pleased."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you help people whenever you can, even when they seem "icky" to you? God loves them. He wants you to love them, too-to treat them as neighbors and love them as you love yourself. That's loving them quite a lot, isn't it? It's something you really can't do in your own strength, but God is ready and willing to help you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:19

[Soldier4Christ]

Clever Chomper

"Why must we get rid of Chomper?" Phil asked his dad. "He's a lot of fun."

"I know you've enjoyed having a pet goat, Phil, but he has cost us quite a bundle with his mischievous ways," replied Dad.

 Phil knew that was true. Their two sheep ate only grass, but the goat preferred the neighbors' flowers and shrubs. He'd also eaten two apple tree saplings Dad had planted. They tried to keep Chomper tied up, but he always got loose. They penned him in, but sooner or later, the clever goat managed to get out.

"He caused me a great deal of trouble again today," Dad continued. "Come see what he did." As Phil followed his dad out the back door, he saw what Dad meant. Over a dozen wooden boards had been pulled from the side of the toolshed. Several chewed pieces lay scattered on the ground.

"Chomper does get into trouble a lot," admitted Phil, "but he's so smart!"

"He's an interesting animal," agreed Dad, "but he's also annoying. He's clever, but cleverness isn't everything. Goats can be useful and a lot of fun, but they have a well-earned reputation for getting into trouble."

Phil sighed. "I guess so," he said. As they went back to the house, Phil grinned at his father. "You know what, Dad?" said Phil. "One of the guys in my class is a lot like Chomper-clever and a lot of fun, but always getting into trouble. Miss Granger doesn't let us chew gum in class, so this guy-Tyler-passed out gum to a whole bunch of kids. They went along with him, and they all chewed it in class. They didn't think Miss Granger would really do anything about it since there were so many of them, but she said they should have chosen to obey her and not copy what someone else did. Now they're all in trouble."

"As they deserve to be," said Dad. "I hope you didn't copy Tyler."

"No, but he's really a nice guy and always so much fun," said Phil. "Smart, too."

"People may be smart and clever and entertaining-and even nice," said Dad, "but we have to be careful not to let their charming ways fool us and cause us to follow their lead in doing wrong things. Okay?"

"Okay," agreed Phil. "I'll remind myself that the 'Chompers' in this world may have fun, but it's only for a little while, and then their troubles begin!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know any "Chompers"? Do you encourage them? Do you admire kids who dare to break the law or disobey their parents? Are you attracted by boys and girls who look cool but do things that are wrong? Don't follow their example. If you're a Christian, Jesus Christ should be your leader. He's the example you should follow.


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

[Soldier4Christ]

Four Corners

"Come outside," said Rhonda's teacher. She gathered the class in a circle around the four-square game drawn on the concrete. "There's a place in the United States where four states meet just like these four squares do," said Mrs. Cline, pointing to the center of the game. Using a big piece of chalk, she wrote the name of one state-Utah-in one square, Colorado in another, New Mexico in a third, and Arizona in the last one. "Many tourists visit that site and enjoy walking from state to state," Mrs. Cline told the class. "They also enjoy being in more than one state at a time. Who can demonstrate how that can be done?"

Rhonda thought for a moment, then grinned and raised her hand. When Mrs. Cline called on her, Rhonda knelt on the pavement with her right knee in the square marked Arizona, her left knee in Utah, her right hand in New Mexico, and her left hand in Colorado. "Good," said Mrs. Cline. "Many people who visit Four Corners, USA, do that very thing."

That evening, Rhonda told her parents about the demonstration. "It was fun to pretend to be in four states at once," she said as she explained about Four Corners, USA.

Dad smiled. "I remember when I first heard about standing in more than one state at a time," he said. "When I was a freshman in high school, I heard it from my Sunday school teacher."

"From a Sunday school teacher?" asked Rhonda.

"My teacher mentioned Four Corners and said we should guard against trying to stand in two different states spiritually," Dad explained. "He said Christians sometimes try to be in the 'state of Christian living' and in the 'state of worldly living' all at the same time. They say they stand on God's principles, but they also want to have one foot tip-toeing in worldly activities."

Mom nodded. "At Four Corners-are you actually in Colorado if you have one foot in New Mexico or one of the other states?"

Rhonda shook her head. "Well, not entirely," she agreed.

"No, and we can't really love Jesus and love the world at the same time, either," said Dad. "If we truly love Him, we should not insist on 'doing our own thing.' We should do our best to please Him in every area of our lives."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a Christian who says you're living for God, but you still choose to do things that don't honor Him? The Bible calls that "conforming to the world." Truly living for God means giving Him every part of your being and pleasing Him in what you read or watch, who you spend time with, the jokes you tell or laugh at-in other words, in all of your words and actions.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

[Soldier4Christ]

Bumper Stickers

"Let's read bumper stickers," suggested Seth as the Sheldon family traveled on the last day of their vacation. "Let's try to decide what kind of people are riding in the cars that have the stickers."

"I see one already," Melody called out. "It says, 'We're spending our children's inheritance.' Those people must be retired and rich."

Mom laughed. "Not necessarily," she said, "but rich or not, apparently their children won't inherit whatever they do have."

Dad tapped the horn just then. "Wave to the people in the car we're passing," he said. "Their bumper sticker says, 'Honk and wave if you love Jesus.' I'd guess they're probably Christians." The kids waved wildly as they went by.

Soon Seth saw another sticker. "There's one that doesn't make sense," he said with a frown. "It says 'I' and 'New York,' but there isn't a word between them-just a drawing of a heart."

"I know what that means," declared Melody. "The heart stands for 'love,' so the bumper sticker says, 'I love New York.' Those people have a Florida license plate, but maybe they used to live in New York."

"Uh-oh! I'm not going to read that one out loud," said Seth, pointing to a truck speeding by.

"I should hope not," said Mom. "That message is bad! It shouldn't be allowed in public places."

"That driver must not love Jesus. Right, Dad?" asked Melody.

"We don't know that, but his bumper sticker does make us wonder," said Dad, shaking his head thoughtfully. "You know, kids, we've been reading bumper stickers, and I believe we've made some pretty good guesses as to what some people are like. And we've just been reminded again that we can be judged by people as to whether or not we're Christians. Of course, we don't go around wearing stickers, but what else do they judge us by?"

"By the way we live, right?" asked Seth. "And the way we talk."

"Right," agreed Dad, "so we need to be careful about what we say and do and where we go. Wouldn't it be great if everyone could see that there's a great big heart of love between ourselves and Jesus?"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What do people think about you as they see the way you live? Do your actions show that you're God's child? Do your words and attitude show that you're a Christian? Only God can see your heart, but people do judge the way you live. Ask God to help you make it say, "I love Jesus."


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

[Soldier4Christ]

Dirty Footprints

"Mom!" called Sam as he stood at the back door. "Can you bring me a towel? I've been swimming in the creek, and I'm dripping wet." Sam waited for a few moments, wiggling his toes which were caked with mud and grass. He called his mother again, but she didn't come. "I'll have to get a towel myself," grumbled Sam. He swung the screen door open and stepped into the kitchen. Taking long steps, he headed for the bathroom, carefully tiptoeing across clean, shining linoleum. In spite of his best efforts, he left behind a trail of dirty, grassy footprints.

Sam found a towel, and minutes later, he stood in his bedroom in clean, dry clothes. A soiled towel lay crumpled on the floor next to his bed. "Samuel J. Smith!" he heard his mother call sternly. "Get in here right this minute!" Sam ran to obey. He found his mother standing in the kitchen doorway, pointing to his muddy footprints on her clean floor. "Just look what you did!" she scolded. "You know you can't come into the house with such filthy feet."

"But I tried to walk carefully," protested Sam. "Besides, I called you, but you didn't come."

"Well, I'm sorry about that, but I was in the basement," said Mom. She pointed to the mop behind the door. "You have some cleaning to do."

Sam got busy with the mop. "Be careful with that," ordered Mom, watching as he worked. "You're spattering dirty water far and wide."

Sam grinned at his mother. "You're really into cleaning, aren't you, Mom? They'll probably make you head janitor when you get to heaven," he teased.

Mom smiled as she watched Sam wipe up the dirt. "Well, muddy feet won't keep anyone out of heaven," she said, "but a sinful, unchanged heart will. Some people think they can 'tiptoe carefully' into heaven like you did into this kitchen, but all their good efforts add up to nothing better than dirty footprints on a clean floor. That's unacceptable. Only a clean heart qualifies a person for heaven."

"Yep," said Sam. "I know that. I hear it all the time at church and Sunday school and here at home. And I know it's true-it's what God says in the Bible."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you trusting in your own good deeds to get you into heaven? That won't work. Even your best deeds are not good in the sight of a holy God. You can receive the new, clean heart He requires only by accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6

[Soldier4Christ]

Keep Fishing

Derek sighed. He wished a fish would take the bait on his hook. "I've finally got a bite," he said when the bobber jiggled at last. Derek jerked the pole quickly, but there was no fish, and most of the bait was gone. "That must be the 'big one that got away,'" said Grandpa with a chuckle as he handed Derek a fresh worm to put on the hook. "Don't give up. Try again."

A little later, Derek pulled up his line again. "I got one this time!" he exclaimed. He took a fish off the hook and put it in the pail of water.

"You sure did!" agreed Grandpa. "That will make good eating! Let's see how many more we can catch."

After Derek and Grandpa caught several more fish, Grandpa put the oars in place and rowed for shore. "Jesus talked to His disciples about fishing," said Grandpa as he pulled on the oars. "Some of them had fished for a living, so they understood fish talk. Do you remember what Jesus said they should do?"

"Be fishers of men," replied Derek promptly. "We sang that song in Sunday school when I was just a little kid. But . . . I'm not sure how you fish for people, Grandpa." Derek grinned. "They don't like worms," he added.

Grandpa laughed. "That's right, so you offer them a different kind of food-spiritual food," he replied. "You offer them the 'Bread of Life.' That's what Jesus called Himself, remember?"

Derek thought about that for a moment. "Sometimes they don't bite, though," he said.

Grandpa shook his head. "No, they don't," he agreed. "Some don't want to hear about Jesus at all. Others are like fish that only nibble. They're sort of interested, but not too much. They leave after hearing only a little about Jesus. But . . ." Grandpa's eyes sparkled like the water around the boat, "other people are like the fish we caught. They want to know all they can, and they accept Jesus as Savior." He pointed to the fish in the bucket. "We kept on fishing even though they weren't biting at first, right? And it paid off. We need to keep fishing for men, too."

Derek nodded and grinned as he admired the fish they had caught. "So even when it seems like they're not biting, we have to keep telling people about Jesus," he said.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you a "fisher of men"? If you're a Christian, you should be. Watch for opportunities to talk about Jesus. Let others know that you're thankful to God for saving you. Talk about things you've learned from the Bible or about a prayer God has answered. Tell someone about a special blessing God has given you-some special thing He's done for you. Learn Bible verses and share them with others. Be patient and faithful-and keep on fishing.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
(Jesus said) "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

[Soldier4Christ]

Last of All, He Sent His Son

The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said. "But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.' So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Matthew 21:35-39 (NIV)

Electric lights are so common today that we never even give them a thought. If I were changing a light bulb and I dropped one and broke it, I wouldn't worry about it. I would just go and get another one. That hasn't always been true.

I heard a story about when Thomas Edison was working to invent this crazy contraption called a "light bulb." It took a whole team of men working for twenty-four hours to put just one light bulb together. The story is told that when Edison's team was finished with one light bulb, he gave it to a young boy to carry upstairs. Step by step he carefully carried it, afraid that he might drop this priceless piece of work. You can probably guess what happened; the poor boy dropped the bulb at the top of the stairs. It took the team of men twenty-four more hours to make another bulb. Finally, tired and ready for a break, Edison was ready to have his bulb carried upstairs. He gave it to the same young boy who dropped the first one. That's true forgiveness. Mr. Edison gave the boy another chance! [1]

God offers that same kind of forgiveness. He offers man a second chance -- and a third!

Jesus told a story about a man who owned some land. He planted some grapes on the land and then rented it to some other men to take care of it for him while he was away.

When it came time to harvest the crop, the landowner sent some of his servants to collect his share of the harvest. The men who had leased the land beat the man's servants and even killed one of them. They refused to give the landowner what was due him.

A second time the landowner sent his servants to collect what was due to him. Once again the servants were treated the same way.

Finally, the landowner sent his own son to the tenants. He thought surely they would listen to his own son. But when they saw the son, they said, "This is the landowner's son, let's kill him and take his inheritance."

Jesus asked the men listening to his story, "What do you think the landowner will do to those men?"

"He will destroy those wicked men, and rent his land to someone else, who will give him his share of the fruit at harvest time" answered his listeners.

In this story that Jesus told, the landowner was God. God first sent men such as Noah, Moses, David, the prophet Isaiah, and others to tell the people of his love for them and to call them to turn from their wicked ways, but many would not listen. Finally, he sent His own Son, Jesus. You know what they did to him, don't you? That's right, they crucified him. God gave them a chance. He even gave them a second chance -- and a third. But when they rejected His Son, that was their last chance. He is our last chance too -- he is our only chance.

Dear Father, we thank you for sending us Jesus, your only Son. Help us to remember that he is our only chance to receive eternal life. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

The "Print-0ut"

Courtney sat at her family's home computer and typed a sentence for each of her spelling words. Looks good, she thought after she had printed her work. She leaned back and turned on a radio.

"Courtney, I asked you to use better judgment when you listen to the radio," called Mom. "That kind of music is not honoring to God, and we don't want it playing in this house." Courtney scowled, but she tuned in to a different station.

Later that evening, Courtney packed her book bag for the following day. "I can't find my spelling sentences," she said. "I've looked everywhere, Mom. I don't want to write them all over again."

"Well, you did your homework on the computer, didn't you?" asked Mom. "Did you save it, or did you delete it?"

"I saved it!" exclaimed Courtney. "I forgot about that. I'll print another copy."

After school the next day, Courtney and her mother went out to rake the yard. As she worked, Courtney hummed a popular song. Soon she began singing the words. "There's no meaning to this life," she sang, "so do what you want; want what you do; do whatever feels good-just do it for you."

"Where did you hear that?" asked Mom.

Courtney was startled. She hadn't meant to sing the words out loud. "Oh, it's just a song," she said. "I hardly realized I was singing."

"Well, you were," said Mom, "and I hope you don't believe what you sang. The words are really very bad!" She was thoughtful as she paused in her raking. "Honey," she said, "your mind is something like a computer. It stores things and lets you think about them again later-kind of like a 'print-out.' You're the one who decides what the 'print-out' will be like because the things you put into your mind are the things that also come back out."

"The things I put into it?" asked Courtney. "What do you mean?"

"Things you watch and read and listen to," replied Mom. "You may think it doesn't hurt you to listen to ungodly music, but when you put those kinds of messages into your mind, wrong messages are almost certain to come out-through your mouth and through the things you do. I want you to think about that." Solemnly, Courtney nodded.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of material do you store in your mind and heart? What goes in as you listen to music and jokes? As you read books or magazines? As you watch movies or TV? Be careful to fill your heart and mind with material that glorifies God. Then what goes in and what comes out will be pleasing to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34

[Soldier4Christ]

Turn It On

"What time was it when you put dinner in the oven, Dad?" asked Mark. "I'm hungry! It seems like we've been waiting a long time for that lasagna to be ready, but I don't even smell it yet."

"I don't either," said Dad. He glanced at his watch. "Mom said it would need to bake about an hour." Dad got up and went to the kitchen. "Oh, no!" he exclaimed. "I followed the directions Mom left-took the cover off and put the dish in the oven-but I forgot to turn the oven on! I guess she figured I'd know enough to do that. Looks like dinner will take quite a while yet."

"Da-a-ad! I'm starving!" complained Mark.

"I'm sorry," apologized Dad. "Let's have an apple to take care of some of the hunger pangs." They each chose a shiny red apple. "This mistake reminds me of Pastor Grey's message last Sunday," added Dad.

Mark grinned. "Oh-oh! Did he made a mistake, too?" he asked.

"No . . . no. But it reminds me of some things he said," Dad replied with a smile as he reached for the Bible on a nearby shelf. He turned to the book of James and asked Mark to read several verses from the end of the first chapter. "Remember what Pastor Grey told us?" Dad asked when Mark finished reading.

"Same thing this chapter says," answered Mark. "He said we often take in God's Word, but we don't apply it to our lives. But what's that got to do with the oven or our lasagna?"

"Well, in Sunday school and church-and in our own devotions-we're taught how we should live. But when we become too concerned with our own pleasures and plans, it's like we don't 'turn those lessons on' in our lives. The knowledge sits there-cold, like our lasagna," explained Dad. "Like God says, we need to be 'doers' of His word-let them fill us and apply them to daily life. Otherwise we're left . . ."

"Hungry," finished Mark with a frown, "like I am now!"

"Spiritually hungry," agreed Dad. With a twinkle in his eye, he added, "And unforgiving and unkind and accusing and . . ."

Mark grinned at his father. "Okay, Dad," he said, "you're forgiven, and I'll try to remember to 'turn on' the Bible lessons I've been taught."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you learned lots of Bible lessons and verses? They will often come back to you when you face a variety of situations. That's a very good thing, and it's especially true if you really think about them-if you "turn them on" in your life and do the things God asks of you. Learn to be a "doer" of the lessons you learn from God.


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