Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

Practice What You Preach

"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Matthew 23:2-3 (NIV)

Have you ever played "Dress Up" or "Let's Pretend?" You know, that is when you dress up like your mom and dad and pretend to be a grown-up. We did that when I was a little boy, and when we did, one of my favorite things was when we "played church." One of the children would be the preacher, another would be the song leader, and the others would pretended to play the piano and collect the offering. It was great fun.

I especially liked playing church when it was my turn to be the preacher. Everyone wanted to be the preacher because we thought he was more important than anyone else. When you were the preacher, you could tell everyone else what to do and walk around looking very important.

In our Bible lesson today, Jesus had something to say about "playing church." Oh, he wasn't talking about little children dressing up in their parent's clothes and playing "let's pretend." He was talking about the teachers of the law and the pharisees in the synagogue where people went to worship. Jesus said that everything that they did was done so that others would see them and think how great they were. They loved to have a special seat of honor in the synagogue and they especially liked it when people called them 'Rabbi.' That means 'Master' or 'teacher.'

What did Jesus tell us to do about teachers like these? You might think he would say, "Don't listen to them! You don't have to do what they say!" But he didn't. He said, "Obey them and do everything they say. But do not do what they do, because they do not practice what they preach."

"Practice what you preach!" Has anyone ever said that to you? Well, I must admit I have heard it a few times, and even though it hurts when someone says it to you, it is good advice. When it comes to living the Christian life, we need to make sure that we mean what we say and that we aren't just "playing church."

Here is a little poem that it would be good to remember.

    You can know a lot of Scripture
    And have the gift to teach,
    But what is more important --
    Is to practice what you preach!

Dear Father, it is important for us to tell others about Jesus and his love for them, but help us to remember that it is even more important for others to see the love of Jesus in us. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Ready for Church

"Let's get ready for church," said Dad. "We don't want to be late."

"Dad says that every week," Ben told his sister, Nance. "We should get ready early some Sunday, just to see if it's really Dad talking or if it's a recording that's played every week." Dad grinned and nodded.

When they arrived at church, no other cars were there. "That's odd. I wonder what . . ." began Mom. She stopped. "Oh, how silly!" she exclaimed. "We're an hour early! Last spring we moved the clocks ahead an hour, and last night we were supposed to set them back again." They could hardly believe that no one had remembered to change the clocks.

"While we wait, let's get ready for church," suggested Dad.

Nance giggled. "It must be a recording we hear every week, Ben," she said. "We got up, ate breakfast, cleaned up, got dressed, and even came to church a whole hour early-but the recording is still going off!"

Dad laughed with the rest of the family. "We prepared our bodies," he said, "but it would be good to prepare our hearts for worship, too, and today we have time."

"We can't feed our hearts breakfast," said Ben.

"Sure we can. We can feed on God's Word for a few minutes," replied Dad. He opened his Bible and read a short passage aloud.

"Okay, but we can't wash our hearts, can we?" asked Nance when Dad finished reading.

"Sure we can," said Dad. "We can search our hearts and confess sins to God, and He'll cleanse us."

Everyone was silent for a few minutes. Then Ben spoke again. "We can't dress our hearts, though," he said positively.

"Sure we can!" Nance echoed Dad's words before he could say them. Then she looked at her father. "But how?" she asked.

"How about by praising God?" suggested Dad. "Singing praises to Him can help set our mood for worship. What shall we sing?" Ben suggested a praise chorus and Nance wanted an old hymn she liked, so the family sang them both.

"Maybe we should do this every Sunday and really get ready for church," said Nance as other cars began to arrive.

"Is that my recording I hear?" asked Dad. They left the car, smiling.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you prepare your heart, as well as your body, for Sunday worship? It's great to be neat and clean and look nice. Have you thought about also having a heart that's ready to learn from God's Word? Have you gotten up early enough to read a few Bible verses and pray? Have you thought about God and praised Him before church started? Doing that will help your heart be ready to listen and worship at church. Try it-you might like it!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart. Psalm 10:17

[Soldier4Christ]

The Tough Shell

Tap! Tap! Tap! Two hammers thudded on the walnut shells. Randy and his dad were stripping the thick, soft, outer shells from nuts they had gathered on their trip to the woods. "Ugh!" exclaimed Randy, looking at the stains on his gloves. "It was fun picking these up, but this is sure a messy job!"

"Yes, it is," murmured Dad, "but just think how good Grandma's black walnut cake will taste when she uses these nuts. When we eat the cake, we'll think it was worth all this effort."

As they continued working, Randy talked about school, his soccer team, and his friends. "Did I tell you about the new kid at school, Dad?" he asked. "His name is Bryce, and he's weird!"

"Really?" asked Dad. "What's wrong with Bryce?"

"Oh, he always talks so loud, Dad, and he thinks he's such a tough guy," replied Randy. "I just don't like him."

Dad worked in silence for a while. Then he picked up another walnut and held it out. "Maybe Bryce is a little like this nut," he said.

"Yeah-a tough nut to crack!" exclaimed Randy.

"You don't know him very well, yet, do you? What's he really like inside?" asked Dad. He tapped the nut with his hammer. "Walnuts grow with this soft, spongy covering, and after we take that off, there's still a hard shell, so we can't see the good nutmeat on the inside. Bryce may be like that. He may be quite different from what you think he is."

Randy frowned. "You mean he may be just putting on a tough act?" he asked. "That's he's really a good guy?"

"Well, without the Lord, no one is really good on the inside," replied Dad, "but he may be nicer than you think. When people are afraid or insecure, they sometimes act rough and tough to hide their feelings from other people." Dad finished removing the outer shell from the nut. "Have you ever done that yourself?" he asked.

"Well . . . I don't know," said Randy. "I suppose I might have."

Dad nodded. "Maybe with God's help, you could 'crack' Bryce's shell," he suggested. "Get to know him and see what he's really like inside."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have trouble liking someone? Is it because you don't like something about the way that person looks? God says appearance is not a good criteria for judging others, so try to look beyond that. If the problem is that you don't like the way someone acts, ask God to help you see some good qualities-some good personality traits. Get to know the person and try to see why he or she acts in a certain way. God loves that person, so try to be understanding as He would be.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. John 7:24

[Soldier4Christ]

Dad's Coming!

When Marisa came in from school one day, her mother greeted her with a big smile. "I got a call from your father today," said Mom. "He's heading home!"

"All right!" exclaimed Marisa. "When will he get here?"

"He thinks he'll be here sometime next week," replied Mom. "He's on a special assignment with his boss, you know, and the company plane sometimes makes a few unscheduled stops. I guess we won't know for sure until he comes in the door, but at least we know he'll be here soon." Marisa's mother grinned at her. "I'm so glad I can count on you to behave yourself until he gets here," joked Mom.

Marisa laughed as she and Mom thought about the time long ago when Marisa had been naughty just before her father had come home. He'd heard about it first thing. Marisa had been such a little girl back then that she didn't actually remember it, but she'd been told about it and also about how, from that time on, she would always promise, "I be good for Daddy," whenever she knew he'd be home soon. It had become a family joke.

That night Marisa lay awake, thinking. She hadn't seen her father for six weeks, and now he could be home any day. I'll help Mom clean the house and rake the yard, she thought. She smiled to herself. And I'll be extra sure to obey Mom!

A few days later, Marisa's friends wanted her to go with them to buy some candy after school, but Mom had said to come straight home. It would take only a few minutes, though, she thought. Dad probably won't come today anyway, and I'd sure like the candy. "Wait! I'm coming," she called out to her friends. Suddenly she stopped. "No, I can't go after all," she declared. "Dad may come today."

When Marisa confessed to her mother that she had almost disobeyed, Mom gave her a hug. "If you had gone with the girls, you'd have been ashamed instead of feeling happy to see Dad-whenever he gets here," said Mom. "You know, honey, all this reminds me that Jesus is coming back, too, and we should always be ready for His return."

As Marisa nodded, she glanced out the window. A taxi was pulling into the driveway. "Dad's here!" she yelled. "He's home!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
If you knew Jesus was going to return today, what would you do to be ready? Confess some sin? Ask forgiveness from someone you've wronged? Witness to an unsaved friend? Read your Bible and pray? Accept Jesus as your Savior? (See the ABCs at the end of this book.) Whatever you'd do, do it now, for Jesus could come today. Be ready for His return at any moment.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Abide in Him, that when He appears, we may . . . not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28

[Soldier4Christ]

Things or Treasure

Shannon is so lucky, thought Nick as he plopped down on the porch steps at his house. Shannon's family lived nearby, and they were wealthy. Shannon had all sorts of things-her own phone and TV, a closet bursting with clothes, a pony-and just a few minutes earlier, she had ridden up on her new bike and teased Nick by showing him a special baseball card he had been wanting. Some friend, Nick thought. She knows I want a card like that, and that I'm hoping for a new bike, too. He sighed and stretched his legs out in front of him.

 The clanging of dishes told Nick that his mother was setting the table for supper. He went inside. "Hi, Mom," he murmured. As she looked up, he voiced his frustration. "It's not fair!" he exclaimed. "Shannon gets everything she wants, and she even gets everything I want." Before Mom could answer, a car pulled into the driveway. "There's Dad," added Nick.

Mom nodded. "Yes, and supper's ready," she said. "You'd better go wash up."

During the meal, Nick complained to his father about Shannon and how she had proudly shown him her new bike and made sure he saw her baseball card. "I don't care that she has so much stuff," grumbled Nick, "but she doesn't have to wave it in my face."

"Shannon does seem to have a lot of nice things," agreed Dad, "but how valuable are her things really?" He was thoughtful. "I hope Shannon also has treasure stored in heaven, where it can't be taken away or stolen."

Nick shrugged. "I don't know about that," he said, "but it sure would be nice to have the stuff she has for a little while anyway. There's nothing wrong with having nice things, is there?"

Dad smiled. "No," he said, "but think about what we discussed in family devotions yesterday-things that have real value. Remember what happens to our earthly possessions."

Nick nodded. He knew none of the things Shannon possessed-including the baseball card-would last very long. "You know, Dad," said Nick thoughtfully, "I'm not sure Shannon even knows there is such a thing as treasure in heaven."

"Maybe she should be told," suggested Dad. Again, Nick nodded.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Where is your treasure-on earth or in heaven? If God chooses to provide you with things like money, toys, cars, or expensive clothes, thank Him and enjoy them. But remember that they don't give lasting joy and treasure in heaven. Spend time telling others about Jesus. Help your friends when they have problems. Encourage them to worship God, and invite them to attend church and Sunday school with you. Serving Jesus stores treasure in heaven and brings lasting satisfaction.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:20

[Soldier4Christ]

Deleting Mrs Trembley

Sandi swallowed hard. Ever since Dad had helped her set up her paper route accounts on the computer, she had tried to keep them up to date. But now she appeared anything but business-like as her finger hovered over the delete key. The account on the computer screen was that of one of her customers-Mrs. Trembley. The name glowed with a special brightness-or so it seemed to eleven-year-old Sandi. As she stared at it, she tried hard not to cry. "Mrs. Elizabeth C. Trembley, 288 Fox Street, Faris, Iowa," Sandi murmured. She swallowed again and then punched the key. The computer screen turned blank. The account was gone forever-just like Mrs. Trembley.

A tear slid down Sandi's cheek as her mother came into the room. "Oh, honey, what's wrong?" asked Mom.

"I . . . I erased Mrs. Trembley." Sandi gulped. She gestured toward the family computer as she brushed a tear away with the back of her hand. "I feel so bad about her, Mom. She was the nicest person on my paper route." Mom nodded. Mrs. Trembley had been a real friend to Sandi, but the kind, elderly lady had died of a heart attack a few weeks earlier. "When I pushed the delete button, I felt like I was the one erasing Mrs. Trembley's life," added Sandi faintly.

"You told me Mrs. Trembley was a Christian, didn't you?" asked Mom.

Sandi nodded. "She said she accepted Jesus when she was just a little girl."

"Then Mrs. Trembley is safe with the Lord," Mom said. "Her name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and it will never be deleted." Mom gave Sandi a hug. "You deleted Mrs. Trembley's name from the computer, but no one will ever erase her name from God's records."

"I know." Sandi nodded and thought about that. She sighed, but she looked a bit happier. After a moment, she added with a smile. "I'm glad. And I know I'll see Mrs. Trembley again some day."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is your name written in God's record book? If it is-if you are truly God's child-your name will never be erased from the Book of Life. Discuss these truths with a parent or a Sunday school teacher as soon as possible. See the ABCs on the next page of this book. Are you trusting in Jesus as your personal Savior? If you are, your name is written in God's record book. Thank Jesus for what He did for you and for the fact that your name will not be removed from the Book of Life.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
There shall . . . enter it (heaven) . . . only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27

[Soldier4Christ]

Penguins and People

Diane was excited! Her family was going on an all-day excursion to the city zoo. "I love watching all the animals, but the penguins are my favorites," she said. "They look so funny strutting around on land, and it's even more fun to watch them swim. They look like they're flying underwater!" Whenever she went swimming herself, Diane would try to imitate the smooth, flowing motions of the funny birds. (See the last page for information on penguins.)

At the zoo, a guide explained how the penguin room was kept cold so the birds would be comfortable. "Otherwise," said the guide, "the birds will get sick and possibly die from the change of climate." Diane listened eagerly as he described a number of other special things that were done to keep the penguins comfortable and healthy.

That evening, Dad turned to Psalm 121 for their family devotions. "Do these verses remind you of those penguins?" he asked after reading the Psalm. "Remember how careful the zoo keepers are in taking care of them?"

Diane nodded. "They make sure they get certain foods, and the right temperature and even special lights!" she replied. "The guys who take care of them-the zoo keepers-know how to keep the conditions just right so the penguins won't get sick."

 "Yes, and this Psalm reminds me that God does the same thing for us," said Dad. "Just think of what would happen if it hailed all the time, or if it suddenly got as hot as an oven. God knows the conditions we need in life, and He's the one who controls our environment."

"So we have a 'keeper,' just like the penguins do. God is our keeper, right?" asked Diane. "I think one of the verses in that Psalm says that, doesn't it?"

Dad nodded. "God not only controls our physical environment, but also all the situations and circumstances that affect our lives. He is our keeper, and He does a perfect job, allowing only what is good for us-whether it seems good to us or not."

"Yeah," said Diane thoughtfully. A twinkle came to her eye. "Hey, Dad, I think we should go to the zoo real often, so I'll be reminded of that!"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Did you know that it's God who keeps you day by day? He's the one who provides the air you breathe, the food and water you need, and the type of environment in which you can survive. He also provides for your spiritual needs. All the things He allows in your life work together to make you the person you should be. Thank Him for being your keeper.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 121:3-5)
He who keeps you . . . shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Best Friend

"Hell is a terrible place, Daddy," seven-year-old Kadie solemnly stated one day. "It's not a place I'd like to go to."

"You're right, honey," agreed her father. "That's what the Bible says."

"That's what I told Jackie yesterday," said Kadie. "She said her mom doesn't believe there are any such places as heaven and hell. She doesn't even think God is real." Kadie looked concerned.

"And what do you think?" asked Dad.

"I think God is real," Kadie stated firmly. "Heaven and hell are real, too."

"Because I say so?" asked Dad. "And because I tell all the people who come to church that they should believe in God?" Kadie's father was a pastor.

"No . . . because the Bible says so," answered Kadie, "and because God hears me when I pray. But Jackie says her mother thinks prayer is silly." Suddenly Kadie had a terrible thought. "Oh, Daddy! Jackie won't go to hell, will she?" Kadie asked. "She's my best friend!"

"I'm glad God gave Jackie a good friend like you, honey," answered Dad, giving Kadie a big hug, "but she needs an even better friend-the Lord Jesus. He's the best friend anyone can have. Jackie needs to know that Jesus loves her so much that He died to take the punishment for her sins."

"That's what I told her," said Kadie. "I think Jackie wants to believe me, but she wants to believe her mother, too."

"Talk to God about Jackie and her mother, honey," said Dad, "and Mom and I will, too. Remember . . . God loves Jackie even more than you do. He's the only One who can change her heart-and her mother's heart."

"I'll pray for Jackie every day and keep telling her about Jesus," said Kadie.

"Good. God will help you show her His love," said Dad, "and Mom and I will try to contact her mother." He smiled at  Kadie. "Shall we pray right now?" he asked. Kadie nodded and bowed her head.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have friends who don't know Jesus? No one likes to think about hell. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could go to heaven? But the Bible says only those who trust in Jesus may enter heaven. He showed His great love for everyone when He "laid down His life"-He died-for them. Do your friends know that? Will you tell them? Will you show them God's love by being kind and loving?  Never give up-keep witnessing to your friends, praying that God will change their hearts.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
He (Jesus) laid down His life for us. 1 John 3:16

[Soldier4Christ]

Give Me Oil In My Lamp

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13 (NIV)

We always keep a flashlight in our house. We keep the flashlight so that if the lights go out, we will be able to find our way around in the dark. The flashlight is always kept in the same place so that we will know where to find it when we need it. Do you know what else we have to do? We have to check the batteries regularly to make sure they are still working and we have to make sure there are always extra batteries on hand. When the lights go out, this flashlight will be no help if the batteries are dead and there aren't any fresh batteries to replace them.

In the time that Jesus lived, people didn't have flashlights or batteries. Instead, they used oil lamps, and just as it is important for us to have a good supply of batteries for our flashlight, it was important for the people of Jesus' day to have a good supply of oil on hand for their lamps.

One day, Jesus told a story using oil lamps to teach his disciples how important it was for them to be prepared for the day when he would return. In Jesus' story, a wedding was about to take place. The bride had ten bridesmaids and they were waiting for the bridegroom to come and take them to his house where the wedding would take place. Weddings in those days were almost always at night and the bridesmaids would light their lamps and lead the bride to the house of the bridegroom. Jesus said that while they were waiting for the bridegroom, the bridesmaids became tired and fell asleep.

Suddenly, everyone was awakened by someone shouting. "Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!" The bridesmaids jumped up and began to prepare their lamps. Five of the bridesmaids had not brought any extra oil, so they didn't have enough oil to light their lamps. The other five had very wisely brought extra oil, so they were well-prepared and lit their lamps. The foolish ones asked to borrow some oil, but the wise ones were afraid there was not enough for them, so they told them to go buy some more oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom came and the five who were ready went with him to the wedding feast. When the foolish ones bought more oil and went to the groom's house, it was too late. The door had already been closed locked. Jesus told his followers, "So you must be ready, because you don't know when I will return."

In this story, the bridegroom is Jesus and you and I are the bridesmaids. Do you think we are the wise ones or the foolish ones? Well, Jesus told us that he was going to come again, and that if we were wise, we would be ready for his return. What can we do to make sure we are ready? We can read his Word, do what it says, and put our trust in him. If we will do that, we will be ready. We will have oil in our lamp and our light will be shining brightly to show others the way to him.

Heavenly Father, we want to be ready when Jesus comes again. Help us to trust in him and follow his teachings. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Spooked

Deborah was excited when she returned home from an afternoon of horseback riding. "That was so much fun!" she told her family. "We went on a trail ride through the woods. My horse was spooked once, but I didn't even fall off!" Deborah beamed as she remembered the good time she'd had.

"Spooked?" asked Deborah's little brother. "Did you see a ghost?"

Deborah laughed. "No, Davie," she said. "It's just that when horses see something they don't expect-like a piece of paper blowing in the wind-they might all of a sudden jump sideways or try to run away. We call that being 'spooked.' If you're not a good rider, you might fall off when the horse does that."

"Horses are so big," said Davie. "Why would papers scare them?"

Deborah shrugged. "I don't know. They just do," she said, "but if the horse knows you and trusts you, he usually calms down and you can get him to go places he'd be scared to go otherwise."

"Sounds like you've learned a lot about horses and about riding them," said Dad with a smile. "Your description of how a horse responds when he trusts his rider is a good picture of how we should respond when we truly trust God."

Deborah looked at her dad. "I said the rider could get the horse to go most anywhere," she said, "so I guess you mean that we shouldn't be afraid to go wherever God wants us to go. We can trust Him to take care of us. Right?"

"Exactly," agreed Dad, "and we need to trust Him in every other situation, too. Sometimes we get 'spooked' when unexpected things happen in our lives, or when our days don't go the way we thought they would-or should. We need to learn to trust God to take us through all the scary places."

Mom smiled at Deborah. "Next time your horse is spooked," she said, "let it remind you that a close, loving relationship with God can keep you from being spooked about things in your life."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What things "spook" you-what scares you or makes you nervous? When you face scary times, do you remember that the Lord is on your side? And that nothing happens that He does not control? God loves you, and will take care of you. Trust Him to help you through any and every situation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. Psalm 56:11

[Soldier4Christ]

Kick the Can'ts

"My heart was full of sin . . ." CLANK! "Until the Savior came in. . . " CLUNK! "His precious blood I know . . ." CLINK! "Has washed it white as snow." Jeremy walked slowly up the driveway, heartily singing a chorus he'd learned in Bible club and kicking an empty pop can.

"I used to play a game called 'Kick the Can,'" said Grandpa when Jeremy joined his family on the side porch. "And I remember singing that song, too."

"It's 'The Wordless Book' song," said Jeremy. "I wonder where the idea for a book without words came from."

"Let's look for it on the internet," suggested Dad, so they all went inside. He sat down at the computer and typed "wordless book."

"Wow! Look at all the articles you can check!" exclaimed Jeremy.

Dad nodded and clicked on one. "This says a preacher, Charles Spurgeon, told of someone who used black, red, and white pages to remind himself of the Gospel message. The black page reminded him of his sinfulness, the red of Jesus' blood, and the white of his heart being cleansed. The gold, and green pages were added later."

"Now that little book is used all over the world to explain the good news that Christ died for our sins and that anyone who accepts Jesus has an eternal home in heaven," said Mom. "Just think of the thousands of people who have believed in Christ because of one unnamed man."

Grandma nodded. "Another song says, 'Little is much when God is in it.' That little book is a great example of how God can take our small efforts to serve Him and use them in a big way."

"So . . . even though I'm only nine years old and can't do much, it doesn't matter, right?" asked Jeremy.

"You think you can't do much, but you can do whatever God asks you to do," replied Grandma. "We say 'I can't' too often-like, 'I can't understand the the Bible . . . I can't give much in the offering . . . or I can't explain salvation very well.' God asks us to do only what we can, and He helps us do it."

Grandpa grinned. "Instead of playing 'Kick the Can,' play 'Kick the Can'ts,'" he suggested, "and then trust God to help you with all He gives you to do."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
What "little thing" can you do? Pray for a friend to accept Jesus as Savior? Read your Bible every day and do what it says? Explain the Wordless Book to a friend? Put a generous part of your allowance in the church offering? The little boy in today's Scripture reading had just a little lunch, but he gave it to Jesus, who did something big with it. Don't grumble about being able to do only a "little." Get rid of the "I can'ts." Do the best you can for God's glory and leave the results to Him.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

[Soldier4Christ]

A Special Poem

"Sometimes when I get home from school, all I want is food that's cool," chanted Mandy, making up the rhyme as she opened the freezer and took out an ice cream bar. She grinned at her brother Michael.

Michael rolled his eyes and made up a rhyme of his own. "I think your rhyme is kind of sad; your poetry is really bad," he said.

Mandy laughed and went outside, where her mother was working in the garden. "Hello, Mother with a thumb that's green. You have the best vegetables I've ever seen."

Mom smiled. "Still working on that poem you need for school?"

"I'm trying, but I'm about ready to give up. We read such good poems at school, but all I can think of are silly things," complained Mandy.

When Dad arrived home, Mandy greeted him with another of her rhymes. "Dad, you've had to work all day. Sit down and relax now, while you may."

"Oh, Mandy, I think your poems are getting worse," teased Michael. "How about this? Mom, that chicken looks so fine. It's time that we sat down to dine."

Dad laughed and joined in the fun. "My family is always such a delight. It's a joy to be home this Monday night," he told them. As he sat down at the table, he added, "Actually, I know of a very special poem. It's mentioned in the Bible-in Ephesians 2:10."

"That was our verse for Sunday school last week!" exclaimed Mandy. "Let me think! It's . . . ah . . . oh, I remember! It says, 'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.' That doesn't sound like a poem, and it doesn't say anything about a poem."

"Don't be so sure," said Dad. "I read that the word 'workmanship' comes from the Greek word 'poiema.' That's the same word from which we get our English word 'poem.' So to say we are God's 'workmanship' is like saying we are His poem."

"I like the idea that I'm a poem," said Mandy with a grin.

Dad smiled. "Good," he said. "Always remember that God wants you to be a poem that blesses others-one that does 'good works.'"


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a favorite poem? Maybe it's a serious one about trees or flowers. Maybe it's a silly poem about cats or peanut butter. If you're a Christian, remember that you are God's "poem." So, what kind of poem are you? Are you the kind people enjoy? The kind they want to hear over and over-perhaps sometimes for fun and sometimes for serious thoughts? In either case, you should always be the kind of poem God created you to be-the kind that blesses others through good works.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
We (Christians) are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Ephesians 2:10

[Soldier4Christ]

Redemption Policy

"Mom, what does 'redeem' mean?" asked Joey.

"Redeem?" repeated Mom. "It means to buy back. Why?"

Joey pointed to a coupon in a paper. "This coupon for popsicles says it will be 'redeemed in accordance with company policy,'" replied Joey. "Does that mean somebody will buy the coupon back?"

Mom nodded. "After the coupon is used at the store, the ice cream company will 'redeem' it. They'll buy it back from the store," explained Mom.

Joey's sister Isobel looked at the coupon. "I'd rather have ice cream bars," she said. "Do you think they'd let us use the coupon for that?"

"I don't know if they allow that. 'Redeemed in accordance with company policy' means according to their redemption policy-their rules," replied Mom. She smiled at the kids. "The Bible talks about redemption, too," she added.

"You mean people way back in Bible times used coupons?" asked Isobel.

Joey grinned. "I don't think so!" he said. "I'm sure they didn't have coupons back then."

Mom laughed. "No," she agreed, "but when Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for us to be 'redeemed' by God. Everyone has sinned and strayed away from God, but Jesus shed His blood to buy us back."

"So God has a 'redemption policy'-like this ice cream company does?" Joey asked, holding up the coupon. "We have to be redeemed according to God's rules, right?"

Mom nodded. "That's right," she said. "God has a pretty simple redemption policy, but people often don't want to follow it. They prefer to make their own rules. Many people think they're not really so bad, or that the good things they do will get them into heaven."

"But that's not God's way of redeeming us, is it?" asked Isobel.

"No," said Mom. "God's redemption policy requires that we admit our sin and our need for Him to redeem us. We must believe that He really did die to save us. We need to trust in Him as our 'Redeemer'-our Savior."

Joey nodded. "I've done that," he said.

"Me, too," added Isobel. "I've been redeemed, too."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you taken advantage of God's redemption offer? Or are you trying to get to heaven according to your own plan? Do you think you'll be okay as long as you don't do anything too bad-that enough good works will get you there? It doesn't work that way. You can be redeemed and get to heaven only in accordance with God's redemption policy. Jesus paid the price of your redemption. He died to pay the penalty for your sin. Receive Him as Savior today. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.)


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14

[Soldier4Christ]

The Best Plan

"That dog is getting on my nerves," grumbled Hailey before leaving for school. "I wish we didn't have to take care of him while the Carlsons are on vacation. He barks and barks and barks!"

"At least you go to school and don't have to hear to him all day," replied Mom with a grin. "Max isn't used to being tied. The Carlsons have several acres where he can run freely, and I don't think he likes doing things our way."

"Well, he should be grateful that we tie him up and protect him from traffic, but all he does is bark," grumbled Hailey.

"Max is a dog, honey," said Mom. "He can't think like humans do."

"Then he should just trust us," replied Hailey crossly. She opened the door. "Be quiet!" she yelled at the barking animal as she left for school.

That evening, Hailey was so unhappy about her day that she didn't even notice Max's barking. "I didn't get picked for the All-State Chorus," she said, almost in tears. "I think I have a good voice-and I even prayed about it. I think I should have been chosen."

"You do have a good voice, and I'm sorry you didn't make it, honey," sympathized Dad, giving her a hug. "Try to remember that God is directing your life even though you may not understand His reasons for what happens."

"I sure don't understand why He let this happen to me," complained Hailey, "and I don't like it."

"That's because you're thinking like a human and not like our perfect God," replied Dad.

Mom nodded. "This morning, you said Max should stop barking and accept our decision to tie him up-to trust us even though he doesn't like what we do, remember?" Frowning, Hailey nodded. "Since Max is a dog and can't reason the way we do, he doesn't understand that being tied up is what's best for him," continued Mom. "On the other hand, we aren't able to reason the way God does. His thoughts and His ways are better than ours, so we often don't understand why He allows certain things to happen. We need to recognize that God's plan is best, and stop 'barking'-stop grumbling. We can trust Him to do what is best for us even when we don't understand."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get frustrated when things don't go your way? Remember that humans don't think the way God does, and He doesn't ask you to understand His perfect reasoning. When things don't happen the way you wish they would, simply trust God anyway, knowing that His plan for your life is perfect.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
My ways (are) higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

[Soldier4Christ]

Sparrows and People

Eric looked out the kitchen window. It had rained all morning, but now the sun was shining brightly. The leaves on the big tree next to the fence were golden and seemed to glow in the sunlight. If only those leaves could be turned into real gold, thought Eric, then Mom and I could solve all our problems. He sighed. He couldn't help feeling worried now that his mother had lost her job. Ever since Eric's father had died two years earlier, it had been hard for them to manage. Now it would be even harder. Turning toward his mother, he asked, "What are we going to do about money, Mom?"

"Don't you worry about that," said Mom. "I've been able to save a little, Eric, and I'm sure I'll find another job soon. There are lots of jobs available in the computer field."

As Mom came to stand beside Eric at the window, several sparrows swooped down and perched on the badminton net in the back yard. Under the weight of the birds, the net sagged and swayed in the wind. Soon the thin, weak poles that supported the net became uprooted, and everything crashed to the ground. Eric and Mom watched as the frightened birds flew away.

"You know, Eric," said Mom, "that flimsy net is like money and material things. When we count on them to hold us up in times of trouble, they always fail, just like that net failed those birds. Aren't you glad we can count on someone who never fails?"

Eric nodded. "You mean God, don't you?" he asked. "He never fails."

"That's right," agreed Mom. "I'm thinking of a verse you learned in Vacation Bible School last summer-the one about birds. Do you remember it?"

"About birds?" asked Eric thoughtfully. "I think there were a couple. There's one that says, 'Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?'"

"Very good," approved Mom, giving Eric a hug. "God takes care of the birds, and He'll provide for our needs, too. We can be sure of that."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know someone who is out of work? Are you worried that your own family might not have enough money for all the things you need? Pray about it, and then trust God to provide.  He often does that through providing a job, but if that doesn't happen right away, trust Him anyhow. There's a song that says, "The one who feeds the sparrow is the one who cares for me"-and for you.  That refers to God. Trust Him to care for you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19