Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Ornamental Fruit (Cont'd.)

"This has been a fruitful day," said Grandpa as they finished supper at the close of Bryan's first day in Arizona. Bryan grinned. He and Grandpa had taken a trip to an orange grove, and they had come back with lots of delicious oranges.

"Since our minds are already on fruit, let's take a look at the 'fruit of the Spirit'-the spiritual qualities that come from allowing Jesus to rule in our hearts," suggested Grandpa. Opening his Bible, he leafed through the pages until he found the Scripture he was looking for. He handed the Bible to Bryan and pointed to the verses he wanted read.

"Galatians 5:22-25," said Bryan. In a strong voice, he read the passage clearly. "That seems like a lot of fruit for one person," Bryan added when he finished reading.

"Don't let the list scare you," said Grandpa. "All of us who are Christians have this fruit in our lives, but we all need to work at letting more and more of it be evident." Grandpa smiled. "Why don't we all think about the fruit listed in the passage and each pick out one we especially need to develop."

"Okay," agreed Bryan. He studied the list. "I don't see it here," he said after a moment, "but Mom tells me I need more patience."

"I think the word 'longsuffering' describes it," said Grandma. "Would you like us to ask God to help you be more patient?" Bryan nodded.

"All right," said Grandma with a smile, "and you both can pray with me that God will continue to develop the quality of peace in my life." She shook her head. "I tend to worry-like when you were a little late getting back from the orange grove today."

"Okay. And I need help with self-control," admitted Grandpa. "Now and then, I still get angry for silly reasons." He closed the Bible. "Let's pray every day for one another and ask God to help us develop 'fruit' that pleases Him." He smiled at Bryan. "And maybe before you go back home, we can talk about this again and see how we're doing, okay?"

With a smile, Bryan nodded.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you need help with a particular spiritual "fruit" in your life? Are you trying to develop that quality? You'll need the Holy Spirit's help. You'll also find it helpful to be accountable to some person regarding it. Why not discuss it with your parents or a Christian friend? They'll pray with you about it, and they may want to share something they'd like you to pray about. Perhaps you can help one another as you pray for each other and discuss the progress you're making.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Galatians 5:22-23)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

[Soldier4Christ]

Persistence Pays

Just as Lindsey finished dialing, her mother walked into the room. "Are you still using the phone?" asked Mom. "You'll have to hang up now. I need to call the dentist's office."

"Just a second, Mom," said Lindsey. "I've already dialed, and I might get through this time." As Mom was about to reply, Lindsey frowned and hung up the phone. "Busy again!" she muttered.

"Who are you calling?" asked Mom.

"I thought you knew," said Lindsey. "Every so often today, radio station WHUM is playing our school fight song, and the third person to call in wins fifty dollars." She sighed. "They've played it four times already, and every time I call, I get a busy signal."

Mom smiled. "Oh, I see," she said. "Well, I've got to use the phone now to make a dental appointment. And don't you have other things you need to do? Didn't you say you were given a Bible study project for your youth group this week? Have you started on that?"

Lindsey nodded and frowned. "We get one every week now, but they're so boring," she said with a sigh. "I don't get anything out of them, so what's the use of doing them?"

"Well . . . what's the use of continuing to call the number of that radio station?" asked Mom. "You don't get anything out of that, either."

"But one of these times I'll get through! You'll see!" exclaimed Lindsey. "If I'm the third person to call, I'll get fifty dollars." She grinned. "Then my persistence will pay off-my bicycle fund will get a nice, big boost!"

Mom patted Lindsey's shoulder. "Persistence is a good quality, honey," she agreed, "and if you apply it to studying God's Word, you'll find it pays off in that area, too. Keep on reading your Bible and doing your Bible studies. Eventually, you'll 'get through'-you'll learn some important lessons from them. God says to be 'diligent to present yourself approved' to Him. To do that, you need to be  persistent in studying His Word-as persistent as you are with that phone call. You'll find that a close relationship with God is worth much more than winning fifty dollars."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Does reading the Bible and praying seem boring to you? If you know Jesus, you should be learning more about Him and getting to know Him better. Even when it seems hard to do, read the Bible regularly and pray. As you persist in doing that-as you continue in daily fellowship with God-you will benefit from it. You will learn more about Him and the qualities He wants to see in your life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Be diligent to present yourself . . . a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

[Soldier4Christ]

Resisting Predators

As Jasmine's youth group started on a nature hike, Pastor Jim pointed out wild flowers and animals. After hiking a short time, Jasmine gasped. "Is that a snake?" she asked in horror, looking up at a tree. "I didn't know they could climb."

Pastor Jim smiled. "That kind can," he replied. "Let's stop and see what it does. I think it's headed for that hole up there." He pointed to a hole higher up the tree. "That's a woodpecker's nest," he added.

The kids watched as the snake moved closer and closer to the hole. When it got quite near, it began to squirm. Then, to their surprise, it began to retreat down the tree. "It's leaving," observed Jasmine. "Why is that?"

"That hole is a red-cockaded woodpecker's nest," explained Pastor Jim. "They make nests in pine trees that have a thick resin, or sap, and it comes out around the woodpecker's hole. The snake doesn't like that sap on its skin, so it leaves."

"I'm leaving, too," declared Jasmine, "before that snake gets down here."

"Good idea!" agreed some other girls. The boys laughed, and a few lingered behind, but soon they all continued on their way.

After the hike, the kids enjoyed a hot dog roast. Then Pastor Jim gathered them for a short devotional time. "Seeing that woodpecker's nest made me think of a Bible verse," he said. "Red-cockaded woodpeckers resist predators by making nests in pine trees with sticky sap. It caused the snake to leave-to flee-from the bird's nest. Like the snake, Satan is a predator, and the Bible says if we'll resist him, he'll flee, too. But how do we do that?"

"Well . . . we had lessons about the armor of God," remembered one of the boys. "Using those things would be a way to resist him, right?" Pastor Jim nodded.

"Quoting Bible verses like Jesus did would be another way," suggested Jasmine, "but sometimes it's hard to think of verses that apply to what's happening."

"That points out one reason why Bible memory is so important," said Pastor Jim. "I read that those birds build their nests on the west side of trees. The afternoon sun shining on the sap keeps it fresh and moist, ready for the enemy. Continually studying God's Word and being very familiar with it keeps us fresh and ready to resist the devil-and have victory over sin."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know that it's possible to have victory over temptation? Use the armor God provides. (See today's Scripture.) Resist giving in to the temptation Satan sets before you. Read God's Word regularly, talk to Him often and submit to His leading. Be honest, practice right living, exercise faith, and tell others about Jesus. As you submit to God, He'll give you victory over the temptation from Satan. God will even cause Satan to flee away from you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

[Soldier4Christ]

Tina's Pity-Puddle

Tina's face was gloomier than the falling rain as she gazed out the kitchen window. "I tried so hard to make the honor roll this time," she said. A tear escaped and trickled like a raindrop down her cheek. "I wanted you and Dad to be proud of me."

"Dad and I are proud of you, Tina, even if you didn't make the honor roll," replied Mom in a soothing tone. "We know how hard you work, and you can try again next time."

"No, Mom. I'm through trying," declared Tina. "It's no use."

As she spoke, Cameron, who lived next door, ran up his driveway. Tina and her mother gasped as he stumbled and fell, landing on both knees in a mud puddle. In a flash, he was back on his feet and running up the porch steps. "Why do you suppose Cameron got up so quickly?" asked Mom. "Why didn't he just stay there in that puddle for a little while?"

"Stay there!" exclaimed Tina in surprise. "Why would he do that? He'd soak up even more rain and dirt than he already had."

"That's right, honey," said Mom. "It occurs to me that, in a way, you seem to be in a puddle, too. But instead of jumping out of it, it sounds like you plan to stay and wallow in it."

"Me? In a puddle?" asked Tina. "What do you mean, Mom?"

"Disappointment and discouragement can lead to self-pity, and falling into self-pity is something like falling into a puddle," explained Mom. "You can continue in that self-pity and soak it up until you feel even more miserable and bogged down, or-with God's help-you can jump out of that pity-puddle and keep on going."

"In other words, keep trying to get better grades even if it's useless, right?" asked Tina.

"No. Just keep working hard and get the best grades you can," said Mom, giving her a hug. "If that means they'll be better, that's fine. But if they're already your best, that's fine, too. Doing your best is all Dad and I-and God-ask of you."

"But I . . ." began Tina. She stopped and thought about it. "Okay. Maybe I'll never make the honor roll, but I will do the very best I can," she declared.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you keep trying even if things don't turn out just the way you'd like? Or do you give up when you're disappointed and can't seem to make the honor roll or do well in sports? Don't continue to feel sorry for yourself and spend time in a pity-puddle. God doesn't ask you to excel in every area. He simply asks to you do things "heartily," as unto Him. Do them "with your might." In other words, do your best in whatever you do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

[Soldier4Christ]

Little Guy

Amy curled up on the sofa and looked at her parakeet. Her father had given the pretty little bird to her only a short time before he had died and gone to be with Jesus. "This little guy will keep you company," Dad had said, and that was why Amy had named the bird "Little Guy."

Dad had been gone six months now. Although Amy was getting used to the emptiness his death had brought to the house and her life, she still missed many things-Dad in his place at the table, the sound of his laugh, the way he used to tap a goodnight signal on her bedroom door. There was a sadness in Mom's eyes, too, and Amy knew she missed Dad a lot.

Amy noticed that her parakeet was perched dejectedly in his little brass cage. "Mom, what's wrong with Little Guy?" she asked, sounding worried. "His cage is clean, and he has fresh water and seeds, but he acts like he's sick or something. I haven't heard him chirp lately, either."

Mom came in from the kitchen and studied the little bird huddled on its perch. "He's molting," she said. "Did you notice all the feathers he's lost? Sometimes birds become droopy and stop singing during the molting period. He'll be all right. He just needs a little time." Mom smiled encouragingly. "You and I are a little like that, honey," she added. "We've pretty much lost our desire to sing, too, but God knows how we feel, and He wants us to trust Him and be happy again."

"Like I want Little Guy to be happy?" Amy's words were more of a statement than a question.

Mom smiled and nodded. "God knows we both miss Daddy very much," she said. "Remember the wonderful promises we read from the Bible just recently?"

Amy nodded. "They even mentioned that God cares for the fatherless-that's me-and widows-that's you," she replied. She gently poked a finger into the cage, touching the bird's soft green feathers. "Be happy, Little Guy," she added softly.

Little Guy cocked his head and ruffled his feathers. "Chirp," he responded softly, almost as if he understood.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you, or is someone you know, fatherless? Or is there some other great sorrow in your life? Do you feel sad and lonely? God knows all about it. He understands the situation you're going through, and He loves you and cares about what's happening in your life. He wants you to trust Him and to be happy. Pray about your problems and depend on God to help you through them.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. Psalm 68:5

[Boaz]

All Glory to God, Thank you Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

X-Ray Machines

Luke climbed into the dentist's chair and laid his head back to have his teeth checked by Dr. Post. "I don't see any cavities today," Dr. Post announced after a few minutes, "but we'll get a better look with an x-ray picture."

As Luke waited for the x-ray to be developed, he looked around the dentist's office. On the wall, there was a poster with pictures and instructions on how to brush teeth, and on a shelf, Luke saw a model of a tooth. "You must like teeth," he said when Dr. Post came back into the room.

The doctor laughed. "Teeth are important, and we need to keep them healthy," he said. "Tell me, Luke-how often do you brush your teeth?"

"Every day," said Luke. "Sometimes more than once! Mom makes me."

Just then Dr. Post's assistant handed him the x-ray pictures of Luke's teeth. "Oops!" said Dr. Post, as he studied the x-rays. "You do have some decay in one of your molars."

Luke groaned. "I almost wish x-ray machines didn't exist," he said. "Then you wouldn't know about the decay and drill on my tooth."

"Whoa!" protested the doctor. "You should be glad we found the decay and can clean it out before it gets worse. Relax!"

"Relax?" asked Luke as he watched Dr. Post prepare a drill.

Dr. Post smiled. "Sure," he said. "There's only a small amount of decay, and it won't take long to fix it." After he finished the drilling, the dentist spoke thoughtfully. "You know, Luke, an x-ray machine is something like the Bible."

Luke grinned. "Having my Sunday school teacher for my dentist means I get a lesson here as well as on Sunday," he said.

"Yes," said Dr. Post with a chuckle, "and it's a good lesson. You see, the x-ray showed decay that I couldn't see with my eyes. And sometimes God's Word shows us sin-decay in our lives-that no one else can see. When that happens, we need to quickly drill it out."

"Confess it and get rid of it before it gets worse, right?" asked Luke.

"Right!" agreed Dr. Post. "I'm glad to see that's a lesson you already learned."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use God's x-ray machine-the Bible-to look at your heart and life?  Sin may be hidden from others, but it's never hidden from God. Sometimes you may not realize that you're doing something wrong until it's pointed out to you. Whenever God's Word makes you aware of sin in your life, "drill it out." Go to Him and ask Him to forgive you and to help you turn from it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The word of God is . . . a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

[Soldier4Christ]

Loving God, Loving Each Other

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)

Rules are very important, aren't they? Whether you are at school, at work, or play there are rules that you are expected to follow. In just about every classroom that I have ever been in, there is a poster on the wall like this one with a list of rules that the teacher expects the students to follow. (Read the rules to the children.)

    1. Don't talk when the teacher is talking.
    2. Don't chew gum.
    3. Stay in your seat.
    4. Do your own work.
    5. Keep your hands to yourself.
    6. Follow directions.
    7. Don't talk without permission.
    8. Listen when someone is speaking.
    9. Keep your desk neat and clean.
    10. Be kind and respect one another.

I think that is a pretty good list of rules, don't you? Which one of these rules do you think is the most important? (Allow some feedback.) Which rule do you think your teacher would think is most important? Well, if you were to ask me, I would say that the most important rule is "be kind and respect one another."

The people in Jesus' day had to follow rules too. One day a lawyer asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?" How many commandments there are? There are ten, aren't there? Well, there were ten that Moses wrote on the tablets of stone and we call them the Ten Commandments, but the Jews actually had 613 laws. There were 248 dos and 365 don'ts. Wow! That is a lot of dos and don'ts isn't it? Can you imagine trying to remember all of them? Six hundred thirteen laws! Which one do you think Jesus said was the most important? Listen to what Jesus said to the lawyer.

Jesus answered him, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,' this is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." In other words, Jesus was saying that if we could keep these two commandments, we would not have any trouble keeping the others.

It isn't easy to keep the commandments, is it? We need God's help each and every day. Let's pray and ask him to help us to love as he has commanded us.

Dear Father, help us to love you with all of our heart and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Yours to Share

"Look what Grandma gave me, Mom!" Cheri held out an oval-shaped box with glittering, green stones outlining the lid. "I'm going to keep my special stuff in it-and nobody better touch it!" she said with a scowl.

Cheri took the box to her room and placed it on her dresser. Before long, she had quite a number of things in it.

One afternoon, Cheri's neighbor, Sasha, came over to play. But whenever Sasha picked up one of Cheri's toys or books, Cheri insisted that she wanted it herself. "How pretty!" exclaimed Sasha when she noticed the box on Cheri's dresser. "What do you keep in here?" She lifted the lid.

"Leave that alone," Cheri snapped at her. "That's mine!"

"Yuk!" exclaimed Sasha, looking at the contents of the box. "You can have it! And I'm going home." Angrily, she left the room.

Cheri grabbed the box. "Oh, no!" she groaned as she looked into it. She ran to show her mother. "The rose petals I saved are dried up," said Cheri tearfully. "Worst of all, my birthday cake is all moldy!"

"Oh, honey, I didn't know you put cake in there," said Mom. "Dump it out, and then let's see what we need to do to clean the box." Cheri got the wastebasket, and they began to sort through the things she had saved. "You need to be careful about what you put into this box, Cheri," said Mom, "but it's even more important to be careful about what you put into your heart box!"

"I don't have a heart-shaped box," said Cheri.

"I'm referring to your inner being-we call it your heart," replied Mom. "Are you filling it with selfishness, honey? You refused to give anything when your brother was collecting money for a needy family, remember? You wouldn't let your sister borrow a sweatshirt yesterday. And when Sasha left here a little while ago, she didn't look very happy. I wondered why."

"She . . . she kept touching my stuff!" protested Cheri. "And . . . and I don't have much money, and Gina might have spilled something on my sweatshirt!"

"Money gets spent, and 'stuff'-like a shirt-wears out. Besides, all you have is yours to share. That's what God wants you to do," said Mom. "Sharing brings happiness-both to those you share with and especially to you. Think about it."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Instead of keeping everything for yourself, do you share your blessings? Do you give a portion of the money you receive to be used for God's work or to help those who are needy? Do you cheerfully let siblings and other kids play with your toys or use your things? Do you offer to help your parents by doing extra chores from time to time? God has given you so many blessings. They're yours to share. Unselfishly sharing what He has given you is a way to honor Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

[Soldier4Christ]

Temper Tantrums

Janelle had tried out for the kids ensemble-a special singing group at school-but she didn't get picked, and she was angry with God. It's not fair, God! she accused the Lord. I'm a good singer, and You know how much I wanted to get in! Sometimes I think You just don't care, because if You did, You'd change things!

When Janelle talked with her brother after school, she complained to him, but he wasn't very sympathetic. She wished she could go home and tell her mother about her disappointment, but instead she had to go straight to Mrs. Johnson's house to babysit two-year-old Brandi for the rest of the day. Janelle fumed all the way to the Johnsons' home.

Before Mrs. Johnson left, she gave Janelle instructions. "Don't forget that when Brandi can't get her way, she sometimes throws temper tantrums," said Mrs. Johnson. "We want her to learn that they don't work, so don't give in to her. It usually helps to ignore her, but if she doesn't calm down, or if you have some other problem, don't hesitate to call me."

"Okay," said Janelle. "I'm sure we'll do fine."

Several times that afternoon, Janelle had to stop Brandi from sticking her fingers into the slot of the VCR. Finally, she carried the little girl away from it and set her down beside her toys. Brandi didn't like that! She angrily threw herself down, kicking and wailing. "Sorry, honey, but you can't put your hand in the VCR," said Janelle. "Here, look at this!" She tried to get the baby interested in her toys, but Brandi just kicked her feet and screamed louder. Janelle picked up a book and pretended to read it. She was relieved to find that when she ignored the little girl, Brandi soon quieted down and started to play with her blocks.

Janelle's mind went back to her disappointment at not getting into the school ensemble. She felt angry when she remembered how her brother had shrugged and told her not to act like a two-year-old. Oh, no! thought Janelle suddenly. He's right! I've been throwing a tantrum, too.

I'm sorry, Lord, Janelle prayed silently. I'm still disappointed, but I know You really do want what's best for me. Brandi found something else to do, and . . . please help me find something else, too. Thank You.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you accept what God allows in your life-or do you get angry with Him when things don't go your way? You're too old to throw yourself on the floor and scream, but do you throw temper tantrums in your mind and heart? It's okay to tell God when you're disappointed, but you can be sure that He won't give in to temper tantrums. Tell Him how you feel, but then trust Him and accept His way, knowing that He wants the very best for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the Lord. Proverbs 19:3

[Soldier4Christ]

A Different Beat

"Look at that guy, Mom," said Raelyn as she and her mother waited at a red traffic light. "He's practically dancing down the street instead of walking! He sure looks silly with his head bobbing back and forth like that."

Mom smiled when she looked in the direction Raelyn pointed. "I think he's listening to his radio," she said. "See his headphones?"

"Yeah," replied Raelyn, "and he's walking to the beat of the music he's hearing, isn't he?"

"That's how it looks to me," agreed Mom, "and that could be dangerous. He doesn't seem to notice what's going on around him." The traffic light changed, and Mom drove forward. "That man reminds me of our walk as Christians in this world," she added.

Raelyn gave her mother a puzzled glance. "I know it's dangerous to be a Christian in some countries," said Raelyn, "but it's not dangerous here, is it?"

"Well, I didn't mean it was dangerous," said Mom. "I was just thinking that when we listen to God and His Word even though others don't, we sometimes feel like we're walking around looking pretty strange-'out of sync' with the rest of the world."

"That's true," agreed Raelyn. "That happened to me just last week. The kids were all talking about that TV show you and Dad won't let me watch-the one that's so violent and people are always killing each other. Even my very best friend made fun of me because I wasn't allowed to watch it."

"Did that bother you?" asked Mom.

Raelyn nodded. "Well . . . kind of," she said, "but I guess we just have to be like that guy back there, and not worry about what other people think of us, don't we?"

"That's right, Raelyn," replied Mom. "What God thinks is much more important than what people think. I pray you'll always choose to listen to Jesus instead of marching to the beat of the world."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you walking to a different beat than most of your classmates? Perhaps that's as it should be. You can't expect unbelievers to hear God's "beat" and live to please Him. But you can live the way Jesus wants you to live, no matter what others think. Are you willing to do that?


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

[Soldier4Christ]

All Shook Up

"There's my dad. Want a ride home, Jason?" asked Tyler after school one day. Jason nodded, and the boys climbed into the car in time to hear a news report about the clean-up efforts in an area where an earthquake had recently occurred. "What makes an earthquake start?" Tyler asked his father.

"Well, the earth's crust has splits in some places. They're called faults," Dad explained. "Sometimes the sides of a fault shift against each other and cause the earth to tremble. If they move against each other hard enough, it may shake the earth so much that buildings crumple."

Jason frowned. "Can that happen here?" he asked fearfully. He imagined his own house tumbling down.

"Earthquakes do occur all over the world, but according to the most recent geological maps, we're not living near any major faults in the earth's crust," said Dad. "Since we're on a more solid foundation, we're not likely to experience an earthquake-or even if we do, it probably wouldn't be a very severe one."

"Good!" exclaimed Jason. "I'm glad our house is on solid ground!"

Tyler's father nodded. "So am I," he agreed. He smiled at Jason and added, "But do you know that we need to build our lives on a solid foundation, too? That's even more important than having our homes built on a firm spot in the earth's crust."

The two boys looked at each other. They grinned as they started to sing. "The wise man built his house upon the rock . . ."

"Last verse," said Tyler, and Dad joined in as they sang, "So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ . . ." When they finished, Tyler grinned at his dad and said, "Just last week in Bible Club, our lesson was about the wise man who built his house on a rock."

"And people who are Christians are like the wise man," added Jason, "because they're building their lives on Jesus."

"That's right," agreed Dad. "Jesus is our firm, strong foundation, and God can hold us steady even when things in life seem all shook up. We can trust Him with every part of our lives."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is Jesus the foundation for your life? He's the only foundation that will withstand all the trials of life and help you avoid a spiritual earthquake. You're young, but now is the time to build on that firm foundation. As one song puts it, "Build your faith before the walls start shakin' . . . before the storm gets out of control." If you build your life on the Rock, Christ Jesus, you'll be ready when storms of life come.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

[Soldier4Christ]

What Clothes Say

Jon was excited as he and his older brother, Brent, headed for the mall. Their parents had decided that Jon was old enough to have a clothing allowance and buy some of his own school clothes-"subject to our approval, of course," his mother had added. Jon was glad Brent had offered to go shopping with him. Brent was a senior in high school and knew what kind of clothing was popular.

At the mall, Jon walked proudly beside his brother. "How are things at Westfield?" a clerk asked Brent while Jon tried on a jacket.

When Jon and Brent went to the shoe department, the clerk looked at Brent and asked, "What can I show you today-basketball or track shoes maybe?"

Jon was puzzled. "How do people know you go to Westfield High and are into sports?" he asked as he and his brother they moved on to the next store.

Brent grinned. "They notice my letter jacket," he said. "It tells them something about me. Clothes say things about us just as sure as words and actions do."

When Jon spied a rack of t-shirts, he pointed them out to Brent. "I could use some new t-shirts," he said. "What do you think of these?" They looked at the shirts, most of which had wild pictures of sports figures on them-all surrounding the name of a popular brand of beer.

"If you come home with one of these, Mom will make you return it," said Brent. "Besides, you wouldn't want to wear a shirt like these anyway!"

"Why not?" asked Jon. "Lots of kids at my school wear stuff like this. Don't they in high school?"

"Some do, but remember what we were just talking about-that what you wear says something about you?" asked Brent. "Well, if you wore one of these shirts, it would be telling people you're not smart enough to know you're doing free advertising for that product." He pointed to the name of the beer. "And it's even a product we're better off without!" Brent turned to go. "Make sure that what you wear says something good," he advised. After hesitating a moment, he added, "At the risk of sounding like a preacher, I'll also tell you to make sure it says something that pleases God."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you aware that your clothes tell people something about you? People hear what you say, but they also see what you say. Today's Scripture lists several attitudes and actions that may tell people Jesus is important to you. Do your clothes tell them the same thing? Today's Key Verse says whatever you do-that includes what you put on-is to be done in Jesus' name. Be sure the things your clothes say are things that won't offend a holy God and that fit your Christian testimony.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:17

[Soldier4Christ]

God's Helper

Jesse sat in church listening to a missionary speaker tell about a far-away country. The missionary wore a long, white robe and had a scarf wrapped around his head. "This is the way we often dress on the mission field," he said, turning so everyone could see his clothes. "The purpose of this loose scarf is to keep the sun off my head. It really works quite well." Jesse sat up straight to see better. "The people are difficult to reach with the Gospel, but I'm happy to be there because I know God sent me to tell them about Jesus," continued the missionary. Jesse's eyes opened wide. He was seven years old and had never been away from home. He hoped God wouldn't send him to a strange country. He didn't want to leave his family.

The next evening, Jesse sat on the front porch steps. He could hear sounds from the kitchen where his mother was working, and he could hear the hum of his father's lawnmower in the back yard. Jesse liked those sounds. He looked down the street and saw old Mrs. Quarry, their neighbor, walking home from town with a heavy bag of groceries. She stopped in front of Jesse's house, set down her grocery bag, and leaned against the fence. The grocery bag tipped, and several cans of food clattered across the sidewalk and into the street.

Jesse ran to help her. "I'll get your groceries, Mrs. Quarry," he said.

The old woman sighed and took a deep breath "First, Jesse, please help me up my front steps," she said. "I'm so tired." She put one hand on the fence and the other on Jesse's shoulder. He walked beside her and hoped she wouldn't fall. When they reached the porch, Mrs. Quarry sat down on one of the chairs. She looked up at Jesse and smiled. "God sent you to me, Jesse," she said. "He knew I needed help, and He sent you."

Jesse ran back to pick up the groceries. He felt good. He recognized that there were many ways he could serve God, and he didn't even have to leave home-at least not yet.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you serving God in your family? In your neighborhood? With your friends? You don't need to wait until you're older. Be willing to serve God wherever He wants to use you. Ask Him what He wants you to do for Him right now. Tell Him, "Here am I. Send me." Then serve Him by washing dishes, mowing the lawn, helping a friend or neighbor, running errands, or doing whatever tasks He shows you to do.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
"Whom shall I (God) send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." Isaiah 6:8

[Soldier4Christ]

The Silly Monkey

"Fight! Fight!" shouted several children, and Keaton and Steve did just that. The scuffle didn't last long, though. They exchanged only a few punches before they were separated by Mrs. Hansen, their Sunday school teacher. "I'm very surprised at you boys," she said as she took them aside.

"Steve called me clumsy and stupid and . . . and a bunch of other bad names," complained Keaton.

"That's because you kicked me," retorted Steve angrily.

"I couldn't help it that your big feet got in my way," grumbled Keaton.

"And you called me Big Foot, too," Steve accused Keaton.

Mrs. Hansen frowned. "You boys know Joey Baker, don't you?" she asked.

Steve nodded. "The Bakers are missionaries in Brazil," he said.

"That's right," said Mrs. Hansen. "Did Joey ever tell you about the time he saw a monkey sitting on a log, cracking nuts with a stone?"

The boys laughed. "Yeah, and when the monkey noticed Joey watching him, he missed the nut and hit his tail with the stone," said Keaton. "I guess he blamed Joey for that."

Steve nodded. "And it made the monkey so mad that he threw the stone at Joey."

"Yes, and aren't you boys acting like the monkey-each blaming the other for something that was as much your own fault as anyone's?" asked Mrs. Hansen. Neither boy offered an answer. "What does God say you should do if somebody treats you wrongly?" continued their teacher. "Think about the memory verse we had a few weeks ago." Again, neither boy replied, so Mrs. Hansen quoted the verse. "It was Colossians 3:13. 'If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.' How does Christ forgive? Keaton?"

"Ah-h-h . . . He forgives the minute we ask Him," said Keaton slowly. "But Steve didn't ask me to . . ." He stopped and looked at Steve. "Whoa!" he added with a small grin. "I didn't ask him, either. Sorry, Steve. Forgive me?"

"I . . . well . . . okay," replied Steve, "and you'll forgive me, too, won't you?"

Mrs. Hansen smiled. "Good," she approved. "It's nice to see you acting like Jesus rather than like a silly monkey."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get angry and blame someone else when things go wrong? Maybe that person isn't at fault at all. Instead of finding someone to blame, admit it when you're the one at fault. Even if someone else is to blame, follow Christ's example. He freely forgives when you ask Him to do so, and He never holds a grudge. Do as He did. Forgive and don't hold grudges.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:13