Podcasts about keys for kids ministries

Bible Reading: Romans 6:5-11Evan and James were hunting for wild edible mushrooms with their family. "Got one!" Evan yelled. "Wow, that one's a whopper!" James said. "Just make sure you know it's the right type," Dad warned. "You know the rule: One hundred percent sure, then take the treasure." They mushroom-hunted for a couple hours, driven by the hope of mushroom soup. "My mouth is already watering for mom's delicious soup!" Evan said. "Yeah!" James replied. "Mom is probably the best cook in town!" "I don't know about that," Mom said. "There are lots of good cooks out there." "Well, you're still a really good cook!" Evan and James said in unison, making the whole family laugh.After heading home, the two boys stood outside the kitchen, breathing in the wonderful smells. When the soup was done, the boys raced to be the first to the table. After giving thanks, they gulped it down. "This soup could be called new life soup," Dad said. "The mushrooms in it grow on dead wood. Though the tree has died, the mushrooms come alive by feeding on the nutrients in the wood. They're an example of death leading to new life.""Wow!" Evan said. "I didn't know that mushrooms grow on dead things.""I know of something else that has new life too," Mom said. "Can you guys guess what it is?" "A caterpillar turning into a butterfly?" James guessed. "Snakes getting new skin?" Evan added. "Good guesses, but I was thinking of something else," Mom replied. "Me!""You?" James asked. "How do you have new life?" "You two can have it too!" said Mom. "It comes from Jesus, our Savior. The Bible says every one of us is a sinner. When we confess our sins and trust Jesus to save us, our old, sinful self dies, and He gives us new life with Him!""Wow!" James said. "That's even cooler than mushrooms growing on dead logs." "Yeah," Evan agreed. "I want to ask Jesus to give me new life right now!" "Me too!" James said. Mom smiled at them and said, "Let's read some verses together and pray." –Elijah GollHow About You?Are you excited when you fix a broken toy? Are you happy when you make an old thing new again? Let God make you new too! Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead to give us new life. When we trust Him as our Savior, He frees us from sin and gives us a new life with Him. Begin your new life today by trusting in Him! (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)Today's Key Verse:Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT) (2 Corinthians 5:17)Today's Key Thought:Jesus gives us new life

Bible Reading: Isaiah 41:8-10"Oh no! No, no, no! Get me off this thing! Mom, make them stop!" Carrie squirmed nervously as the seat she was strapped into began to rise higher and higher into the air.Mom laughed and grabbed Carrie's hand. "Sorry, honey, but I think it's too late to get off now. Believe me, you're going to love it! It's just a little scary right now."Carrie continued to whimper as the ride climbed higher, and she gave a little shriek as the seats bumped into place high up in the air."It's okay," Mom reassured her. "I'm right here with you. You're going to be fine.""Okay," Carrie said, squeezing Mom's hand tight. She looked down at the park below them. "Hey, Mom, it's actually kind of cool to see everything from up here. I can see--aaaaahhhh!" Carrie screamed as the ride suddenly dropped.Mom screamed too, and then they were both laughing as the ride bounced back up and down a few more times before finally settling back down on the ground."Mom, that was so much fun! Can we go on it again?"Mom laughed. "Are you sure? I thought you wanted to get off before.""Oh. Yeah, well, I did, but I just held on to your hand and tried not to be scared, and it was still pretty scary at first, but then it was really fun!" Carrie took a deep breath and grinned. "I want to go again."As they waited in line, Mom said, "You know, Carrie, this ride made me think of you being nervous about starting a new school in a few weeks. It can help remind you that you don't have to be afraid when you're facing something scary in life. Jesus is right there with you, and it's like He's holding your hand. You don't have to be afraid--and you might even find out that whatever you're afraid of is really a great thing for you."Carrie nodded thoughtfully. "I'll try to remember that, Mom." She started walking as the attendant motioned them forward. "I know Jesus is with me, but will you still hold my hand during the ride?""Sure, honey. No problem." Mom laughed and gave Carrie's hand a quick squeeze. –Robyn MulderHow About You?Are you facing something scary in your life right now--something much bigger than a ride at an amusement park? No matter what it is you're facing, Jesus is right there with you. He loves you so much He gave His life for you, and He promises to always be with those who trust in Him. He'll be there to help you and comfort you, and He will never leave you. Today's Key Verse:Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…for the Lord your God goes with you. (NIV) (Deuteronomy 31:6)Today's Key Thought:Jesus is always with you

Bible Reading: Romans 12:3-5"I want to play first base this year, and Coach Nichols won't let me!" said Quincy. "He says I'll help the team more if I play right field." He frowned. "The guys have a saying about right field. They say, 'right field equals left out,' because the ball never gets hit to that side of the outfield.""Now, hold on! That's just not true!" said Dad. "A good right fielder often makes important plays--and I know you'll be a good one." But nothing Dad said could convince Quincy that right field was a good position for him.The next day, Quincy helped his father plant geraniums in the front yard. "Maybe we could get some of those bushes with white flowers we saw when we hiked up Mount Major," said Quincy. "They'd look nice here with the geraniums."Dad shook his head. "Those plants grow well in higher elevations, but I don't think they'd do well down here. God didn't intend for all plants to thrive in the same location. Each species has its own spot in the plant kingdom. That principle applies to people too. God has blessed every one of us with the talents we need to do the best job in the special spot He's put us in."Dad smiled at Quincy. "For example, God gave you one of the strongest throwing arms on your baseball team. That's important for a right fielder, so give it a chance. Perhaps God has a special lesson He wants you to learn by playing right field on your ball team.""What lesson could there be in that?" asked Quincy. "Maybe God wants you to see that every person on a team is important," said Dad. "That's true for baseball, and it's also true for another team you're on--Jesus's team of all those who trust in Him. God gave every Christian an important part to play in caring for other members of Christ's team and sharing His love with those who don't know Him. Without each person's important role, the whole team suffers--just like your baseball team won't do as well if you refuse to play right field."Quincy sighed. "Okay," he said after a moment. "Right field, here I come!" –Linda M. MagoonHow About You?Do you get upset when you don't get the position you want--whether it's on a sports team or within Christ's team of believers? Jesus gave you the gifts and abilities He did so you could fill an important role and serve Him with other Christians. So no matter where He places you, be a team player and use your gifts to help the body of Christ share His love with the world. Today's Key Verse:Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 12:22)Today's Key Thought:Each team member is important

Bible Reading: Luke 15:4-10; Acts 1:8"Mom, have you seen my other tennis shoe?" Piper ran from room to room with only one shoe on, desperately looking for the other one. She was supposed to be leaving to spend the night at her friend Aryanna's house. "No, but I can help you look. Do you remember where you saw it last?" Mom asked. Piper shook her head, and the two frantically looked for the missing shoe. They looked under beds, in the closet, in the bathroom, and even in Piper's brother's room. "Are you sure you didn't pack it with your overnight things?" Mom asked. Piper was about to say she would never do anything silly like that, but she knew Mom would just make her look anyway, so she began pulling out everything from her bag. The last thing she pulled out was her missing shoe. "Oops--here it is!" Piper said, a little embarrassed. "Well, I'm glad it's been found." "Remember I'm going to pick you up for church tomorrow," Mom said as they got in the car. "Did you invite Aryanna to come?" Piper shook her head. "Did you know that the Bible talks about Jesus wanting us to help Him find what's lost?" Mom asked. Piper shot her mom a puzzled look. "What could Jesus have lost that He would need our help finding? He's God's Son. He knows everything!""The Bible says Jesus wants us to help bring lost sinners to Him. We can do that by praying for them and sharing how He's changed our lives--and even by inviting them to church." Mom turned to look at Piper. "Do you remember how happy and relieved you felt when you found your missing shoe?" Piper nodded. "Well," said Mom, "the Bible says all of heaven rejoices when one sinner is saved. That's how happy God is when one lost person is found. And even though God is the only one who can change a person's heart, He wants us to play a part by praying for others and pointing them to Him so we can rejoice with Him when they're found." "Okay, Mom. I'll see if Aryanna wants to come to church with us tomorrow," Piper said as they pulled into Aryanna's driveway. "And I'll pray for her too." –Melissa YeagleHow About You?Do you know people who don't know Jesus? We can't change people's hearts, but we can play a role in bringing others to Jesus by praying for them, telling them what He did for us on the cross, and inviting them to learn more about Him. Trust God to help you point others to Jesus, and when one of them is found, you can rejoice with all of heaven! Today's Key Verse:There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (NKJV) (Luke 15:10)Today's Key Thought:Point others to Jesus

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6"There goes Old Faithful!" Corbin said as they watched hot water burst from the ground and shoot high into the air. He and his sister Fiona were showing their aunt a video Corbin had made on their vacation to Yellowstone National Park. "The park ranger said the rock deep underground is so hot it heats the spring water," said Corbin."And then it reaches its boiling point and boils up and shoots out of the ground," added Fiona.After their aunt had left, Fiona and Corbin got out a game. "You lose!" Corbin said after they played a little while. "You're not allowed to make that move!""I am too!" said Fiona. But Corbin wouldn't agree, and the two started arguing. Finally, Fiona pushed back her chair. "You make me so mad!" "What did I do?" Corbin asked."Tons of things!" Fiona's voice grew louder. "You cheat, you used my bike without asking, you embarrassed me in front of my friends, and you spilled juice on my homework. I hate you!" She ran to her bedroom and slammed the door. Then she opened it and slammed it again.Corbin followed Mom to Fiona's room. "You know we don't slam doors," Mom said. "And that angry outburst was not pretty.""Yeah," said Corbin. "You erupted with more force than Old Faithful." He grinned. "Hey, I know! I'll call you Old Fiona." "Corbin, go to your room," said Mom. "I'll talk to you later." When he had left, she turned back to Fiona. "Corbin does have a point.""But he's mean!" said Fiona. "He'd make anybody mad!""We all have feelings of anger at times," said Mom. "We need to deal with them, not just let them build up and burst out. One way to deal with your anger is to talk to the person who made you angry and explain what's bothering you. Don't store up angry feelings and grudges. Make an effort to make peace and be friends.""I don't think Corbin would listen, so why even bother?" asked Fiona."Give him a chance," said Mom. "And be willing to forgive. Remember that Jesus has forgiven you for all your wrongs and will help you forgive and love others. A loving relationship with anyone is always worth the effort." –Nance E. KeyesHow About You?What do you do with your anger? Do you keep it inside and let it build up into bitterness and resentment? Does it erupt in angry words and hurtful actions? Don't let it do that! Talk with the person who made you angry, and if necessary, tell an adult how you feel. Then trust God to help you deal with your anger and be willing to forgive.Today's Key Verse:"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (NIV) (Ephesians 4:26)Today's Key Thought:Don't store up angry feelings

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; John 10:1-12, 27-28Evening descended swiftly on the French Alps. Chloe snuggled closer to her dad as the two of them and her dad's friend Jules huddled around a fire for warmth. "Another good thing about being a sheep is all that wool to keep you warm," Chloe said. Jules nodded. "It's almost time to put them in their pen for the night. If I wait until it gets too dark, the wolves come out." Chloe's eyes widened. "Have you ever had to fight a wolf, Uncle Jules?" He nodded solemnly. "Fortunately, I was able to save the lamb. The sheep know they are safe when they stay close to me, just like we are safe with Jesus, our shepherd.""That doesn't mean bad things won't happen to us," Dad interjected. "Everyone goes through darkness and tough times. But our Good Shepherd promises to be with us through every dark valley we encounter." "So we don't need to fear, just like David wrote in Psalm Twenty-Three," Chloe said softly. "Uncle Jules, what about the verse where David talks about God anointing his head with oil? What does that have to do with sheep?" Jules grinned. "Do you think Chloe can handle this, John?" "It's kind of gross, Chloe," Dad warned. "I can handle it!" "We have different medicine now, but back in David's day, shepherds used to pour oil over the sheep's heads to protect them from bugs," said Jules. "That's not so gross--kind of like giving pets flea medicine." "But these kinds of bugs would eventually make their way into the sheep's brains and destroy them." "Ewww!" Chloe shuddered. "Good thing they have a shepherd to protect every part of them--even their brains.""God does the same thing for us," Jules noted. "When we listen to the truth of His Word, it transforms and renews our minds and helps keep us from fixating on what might harm us. Instead of worry, we can feel His peace. That's why reading and memorizing God's Word is important." Chloe gazed at the sheep thoughtfully. "Uncle Jules, I've learned a lot this week. One thing's for sure--I'm going to listen to my Good Shepherd."–Savannah ColemanHow About You?Do you follow Jesus as your shepherd? Jesus says He is the gate for the sheep--trusting Him to save you through His sacrifice on the cross is the only way to have eternal, abundant life. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) As His sheep, we need to listen to Him. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. Listen to your Good Shepherd so He can fill your thoughts with His peace.Today's Key Verse:My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. (NIV) (John 10:27)Today's Key Thought:Listen to your Good Shepherd

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:4-7Chloe gasped as the car rounded the mountain road and the French Alps were fully displayed. "I've never seen anything so majestic!" Dad parked the car next to a rustic cabin. The cabin door opened and a man with dark curly hair and a beard exited with arms outstretched. "John! Come and hug your old friend!" Chloe hung back, watching the happy reunion until the men turned to her. "Chloe, meet my old college friend, Jules! The last time we got together you were just a baby." "You can call me Uncle Jules if you wish, Chloe. My, you are growing up quickly!" "Do we really get to stay a whole week and help you care for your sheep? Dad says you have over a thousand! I read that shepherding is a difficult job. What's your favorite part about it?" Jules threw up his hands and laughed. "Whoa! I'm not used to all these questions. The sheep aren't nearly as chatty." Jules winked at Chloe. "I'm happy to tell you all about it over a nice cup of coffee."The next morning, Chloe was bundled and ready for a day of shepherding. After a few hours, she collapsed on the ground dramatically. "How do you not get bored, Uncle Jules?"Jules chuckled. "It takes a certain type of personality to do this day after day, but I actually enjoy all this stillness. I have plenty of time to memorize God's Word out here and reflect on His goodness." "Kind of like David did," said Chloe. "He was a shepherd too. Didn't he write that famous psalm about sheep?" Jules nodded. "Psalm Twenty-Three.""David compares us to sheep in the psalm," Dad pointed out. "And the Lord is our shepherd. When we had wandered away and were lost in sin, Jesus gave His life to save us, and He promises to guide us and take care of us." Jules pulled a small, worn Bible out of his coat pocket and opened it to Psalm 23. Chloe read it aloud through verse three. "Today we are living out this psalm!" she said. "This morning you put salt out so the sheep could follow the route you wanted them to take. Just like you lead them on safe terrain, God guides us on the right paths." –Savannah ColemanHow About You?Have you ever thought about how much we are like sheep? Just like sheep, we want to go our own way and are prone to getting lost. We need a shepherd to keep us on the right path, and that shepherd is Jesus. He took the punishment for our sins to make us His sheep, and He guides us and provides for us. When we spend time in His presence, He refreshes our souls. How will you choose to follow the Good Shepherd today?Today's Key Verse:He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. (NIV) (Psalm 23:3)Today's Key Thought:Jesus is our Good Shepherd

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 8:28-30Alfie hoisted himself up onto a ledge of crumbling granite and collapsed on a small patch of mossy grass. "That was quite a climb!" he said as he rubbed his aching legs. "Aren't you tired, Uncle Don? We've hiked a long way.""We'll catch our breath for a few minutes before we head back," said Uncle Don. He took off his backpack and set it down. Alfie picked up some stones. "Look at this!" he said. Uncle Don knelt beside him, and they looked at the stone Alfie held in his hand. It was shaped like a triangle and came to an unmistakable point. "It's a real arrowhead, isn't it?" said Alfie."Sure looks like it to me," said Uncle Don.Alfie brushed the dirt and dust from the stone and held it up so that the light glinted off its edges. "You know," said Uncle Don, "the man who made that arrowhead carefully chiseled it, and he knew just how he wanted to use it."Alfie looked at his uncle. "He would have used it for hunting, wouldn't he?" Uncle Don nodded. "I imagine so. He would have had a specific purpose for that arrowhead, and I'm quite sure it accomplished its purpose. He probably used it to get food for his family." Uncle Don smiled. "Can you think of any lesson we can learn from that?""Hmm--shoot straight when you hunt?" Alfie said with a grin. "Though that's probably not the kind of lesson you're talking about."Uncle Don laughed. "You're right. I think this arrowhead should remind us that someone made us for a special purpose.""Yep," said Alfie. "God did!""That's right," said Uncle Don. "You're far more important than a simple arrowhead, Alfie, and God has a wonderful plan for your life. He created you with loving care, and He sent His Son to save you from sin and give you eternal life. He's using all your life experiences to shape you to be more like Jesus so you can serve Him the way He wants you to. Whenever you look at your arrowhead, remember that God has a purpose for your life and will be there to guide you every step of the way."Alfie put the arrowhead in his pocket. "I will." –Christi B. KehnHow About You?Did you know that God has a special plan for your life? God made you and sent His Son, Jesus, to save you from sin, and He has plans for you. Talk with Him every day and ask Him for guidance. Read the Bible to learn more about Him and how He wants you to live. Stop and thank Him for something wonderful in your life. Trust Him to shape you into the person He wants you to be.Today's Key Verse:"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans…to give you hope and a future." (NIV) (Jeremiah 29:11)Today's Key Thought:God has a plan for your life

Bible Reading: Luke 10:25-37; 1 John 3:16-19After Baker and his mom got off the Ferris wheel, they joined a group of people crowding around a man with a painted face acting out various skits. Baker laughed with the crowd as the man pretended to be learning to ride a bike. But he wondered why the man didn't say anything. "Mom, why doesn't he talk?" "Because he's a mime," Mom replied. "They never talk, but you can tell by their actions what they're doing."Next, the mime pretended to wash a window. He acted as though he bumped his head on the pretend ladder. Later, he appeared to be eating an ice cream cone--and shot the crowd a look of dismay when the ice cream fell off. The crowd laughed and applauded as he acted out one scenario after another. The show ended with the mime making a sad face and waving goodbye to the crowd.Baker turned to his mom. "Wow! He never said a thing, but I could figure out everything he was doing.""Actions say a lot," said Mom. "Do you remember the story in the Bible about the Good Samaritan?" "Sure," said Baker. "It's a story Jesus told about a man who needed help on the side of the road. Two people went by without helping him, and then a Samaritan came along and did all he could to help him.""Right," said Mom. "And if the two people who had passed by earlier had said they cared about that man, would you have believed them?" Baker shook his head. "Jesus told that story to show how we should love others," Mom continued. "Saying you care about someone isn't enough--you also need to show them you care through your actions."Baker's eyes widened. "So the Good Samaritan was really a mime?" Mom laughed. "Well, I'm sure he didn't paint his face and perform funny skits, but he did communicate his love for others through his actions. Jesus did that too by taking the punishment for our sins on the cross so we could be saved. His sacrifice showed that His words of love for us were true. Let's let others know we care about them through both our words and our actions."–Annette S. BuryHow About You?How do you let others know you care about them? It's good to tell people you care, but it's not enough. In Jesus's parable, the Good Samaritan showed how much he cared by going to great lengths to help the injured man. Now that's loud love! That's the kind of love Jesus showed us when He died for our sins. What can you do to turn up the volume and show others you care? Today's Key Verse:Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (NIV) (1 John 3:18)Today's Key Thought:Actions speak loudly

Bible Reading: Isaiah 48:17-18; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 2:3-6"Mom, I see the parade! It's coming!" Millie squealed with excitement and grabbed hold of her little brother's hand. "James, get ready, because they're going to throw candy right at us and we can put it in our bags, okay?"James nodded and grinned. Millie looked down the street and hopped up and down in anticipation."Just be patient, honey," Mom called from her lawn chair. "It will be here soon."Millie craned her neck to see down the street. The parade was still far away, but she could make out flags, cars, floats, and even a fire truck. She could faintly hear a drum and knew the band was marching her way.Suddenly, she gave a little shriek of dismay. "It turned! They're going down a different street. They're not coming here!""What?" Dad jumped up and looked down the street, and Millie noticed everyone else getting up and looking around in confusion. "Come on, Millie!" Dad scooped up James, and they ran to the next block just as the parade arrived. Millie forgot about all the confusion until they walked home afterward. "Mom, why didn't the parade go by where we were sitting at first? Were we in the wrong place?"Mom laughed. "No, we were on the right street. I think the person at the front of the parade got a little confused and made a wrong turn. Good thing we caught up and didn't miss anything, right?""Right!" said Millie. "It was so much fun, and I got lots of candy!""You know, wrong turns like that can happen in our lives," Dad said. "The people in the parade all trusted that the person in front would go the right way, but they didn't. We can go the wrong way too by following people--like leaders or friends at school--because what they're doing seems right but isn't." Mom nodded. "There's only one Person who can lead us the right way. Do you know who that is?""Jesus!" Millie and James both shouted."Right," said Mom. "When we know Him as our Savior, He forgives our wrong turns in life and makes us able to love others the way He does. We need to follow Him as He leads us in His example of love." –Robyn MulderHow About You?Who do you follow? Friends? Celebrities? Influencers? Looking to other people as examples of how to live will only lead you in the wrong direction, because they are sinners just like you. Only Jesus is perfect. He died and rose again to save you from sin and give you eternal life, and He will lead you in loving others the way He does. Follow His example and trust God to help you be more like Him each day. Today's Key Verse:Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children. (NIV) (Ephesians 5:1)Today's Key Thought:Follow Jesus, not people

Bible Reading: Romans 3:22-26; Titus 3:5-7Rosita wiped sweat from her forehead, then got back to scrubbing the pot in the sink. She was working as hard as she could to clean the kitchen before Mom got home. They'd had a fight that morning, and Rosita was sorry for the things she'd said. She sighed and scrubbed harder. I want this kitchen sparkling clean when Mom gets home from work, she thought. That'll make up for it.She glanced into the living room where her little brother was watching cartoons. "Hugo, bring your plate and cup here so I can wash them. And I just mopped the floor, so be careful!" But Hugo wasn't careful. He ran in and slipped when his socks hit the wet floor. His plastic dishes went flying into the air as he went sprawling across the kitchen, milk and crumbs raining down on top of him.Rosita gasped. "Hugo!" Just then the door opened and Mom walked in. "Wow," she said. "What a mess." Rosita covered her face with her soapy hands and burst into tears. Mom and Hugo stared at her for a moment before Mom sent him upstairs to wash the milk out of his hair. "Rosita, what's wrong?" Mom asked."I--I've been working hard to clean the kitchen all afternoon. I wanted everything to be sparkling clean when you got here because I felt bad about what I said this morning. I wanted to make things right.""Oh, honey." Mom gave her a hug. "You don't have to clean the kitchen to make things right with me. You're my daughter--I love you, and I'll always forgive you. But I know the feeling. In fact, I used to try to do the same thing with God. I thought I could make up for my wrongs by doing something right. But it wasn't enough.""Because the only way to make things right with God is through Jesus, right?" "You got it," said Mom. "When we trust Him to save us, He forgives our sins and makes us sparkling clean." Rosita nodded. "I'm sorry for what I said this morning, Mom. Will you forgive me?" "Of course." Mom grabbed a mop from the closet. "And now I'm going to make this kitchen sparkling clean!" –Courtney LasaterHow About You?Are you working hard to make things right with God? Are you trying to do good things so He'll forgive you for the bad things you've done? No matter what you do, it won't make up for your sin. Only Jesus can make you right with God. He died and rose again so you could be forgiven and have all your sins washed away. Confess your sin and trust in Him, and He will forgive you. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)Today's Key Verse:If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV) (1 John 1:9)Today's Key Thought:Only Jesus makes things right

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; James 1:2-6"I'm not sure I can catch this wave," Caleb yelled to his uncle as the ocean waves roared. The wind was getting stronger, and it was hard to hear. Dark clouds rolled in from above, blocking the sunshine. Caleb gripped the edges of his surfboard. This surfing lesson wasn't going well. He wanted to do what his uncle taught him and stand up on his board and ride the wave, but it seemed impossible. "Uncle Luke, I've slipped three times, and my arms are exhausted from paddling! I don't think I'm strong enough."Uncle Luke swam over to Caleb. "Let's take a break, and then I'll help you. I know it's scary, but trust me--I've been surfing a long time and know what I'm doing. Can you do that?"Caleb nodded. They bobbed on their boards for a minute before Uncle Luke continued. "You know, Caleb, life is hard sometimes, just like surfing. When scary doubts build up, or the winds blow and it's hard to hear God's voice, we can share our fears with Jesus. He wants us to have faith in Him instead of ourselves. He is perfect, and we can always trust Him because He gave His life to save us and promises He will never leave us.""Thanks for the reminder, Uncle Luke," Caleb replied with a smile. "Sometimes life makes me feel even weaker and more exhausted than surfing does!""We all feel that way sometimes," Uncle Luke said. "But when we look to Jesus to help us through hard times in life, the Holy Spirit strengthens us. Just like when I push you into the waves, hold onto your surfboard and look up, not down. Okay, ready to paddle?" "Yeah!" Caleb replied. This time, he trusted his uncle's advice and focused on that instead of his doubts. He paddled hard and slowly stood up in the air. He caught a wave! Caleb popped out of the water with a smile, "Hey, Uncle Luke! Thanks for reminding me that I don't have to doubt. When I'm afraid, I can trust in Jesus." –Grace ThomasHow About You?Do you trust in God when life gets rough? Or does your heart constantly change like the waves of the sea? You may feel discouraged when faced with a challenging situation, and that's okay. Remember, Jesus understands what you're going through and promises to be with you wherever you go. You don't have to be afraid or doubt in the rocky waves of life. Look to Jesus for the help and strength you need. Today's Key Verse:But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (NKJV) (James 1:6)Today's Key Thought:Have faith in Jesus

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18"Mom, I'm really worried about Charlotte," Anna said as she sat down at the table. Charlotte and Anna were best friends and did everything together. "What's going on?" Mom asked as she added ingredients into the mixer. "Well, she's been having a lot of headaches lately. I'm worried there might be something seriously wrong with her. What if she has cancer or something?" Mom plopped a scoop of raw cookie dough onto a tray. "It sounds like you've been doing a lot of worrying about this.""It's all I can think about, Mom! I'm just so afraid something bad is going to happen to Charlotte. I can't imagine life without her." Mom brought the tray of cookie dough to the table and sat down. "Have you prayed about it?" she asked. "Um, well--no," Anna said. Mom sighed. "Well, I've been pretty worried too lately. Tomorrow is your school bake sale, and I'm worried these cookies won't get baked in time!"Anna glanced at the clock. "Mom, you have plenty of time. They don't take that long to bake--just put them in the oven.""I guess I could, but I'd rather just sit here and worry about it," Mom said. Anna gave her mom a puzzled look. "Mom, you're being silly!"Mom smiled. "You're right, it's silly to sit here and worry when there's something I could do about the problem. But you're doing the same thing. You're not helping your friend at all by worrying about her. You can help by doing something about it and praying for her."Anna knew her mom was right, and the two took a moment to pray for Charlotte. Then Anna helped bake the cookies and bag them up for the sale. The next day Anna came home smiling. "Mom, guess what! Charlotte's mom took her to the doctor yesterday, and it turns out she's been having headaches because she needs glasses--not because she's dying from some disease." Mom smiled. "So all that worrying for nothing?" Anna nodded. "You were right, Mom. I should have done something about it and prayed for her in the first place." –Melissa YeagleHow About You?When you or someone you know has a problem, do you worry about it? Why not do something about it instead--pray! God is in control of everything, and He loves you so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. You can bring all your worries and concerns to Him. He'll always do what's best and be with you through everything. Today's Key Verse:Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT) (Philippians 4:6)Today's Key Thought:Pray about your worries

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:27, 159-160; 2 Timothy 3:14-17The sun was just poking its head over the treetops when Savannah and her mother left for a walk in the woods near their new home. "I didn't understand what Dad read in the Bible this morning," Savannah said. "Why can't we just skip the parts of the Bible that don't seem to say anything important?"Mom was about to reply when Savannah spotted some interesting bushes along the path. "Look, Mom. Those are some kind of berry bushes, aren't they?"Mom stopped and peered at the bushes. "I think they might be, but I don't see any fruit on them."Savannah reached out and lifted some of the leaves. "Here! Underneath the leaves.""You're right!" said Mom. "Those are wild blackberries! They'd taste great on our cereal--or just as a snack. How about running back to the house and getting a bucket so we can pick some?"Savannah eagerly ran home and returned with a pail, and she and Mom began to gather the ripe, luscious fruit. "I'm glad your sharp eyes noticed these," said Mom. "I saw the green leaves, but I didn't see what was hidden underneath them." She dumped a handful of berries into the bucket. "Maybe that's the answer to the question you asked a while ago.""You mean about skipping parts of the Bible?" asked Savannah. Mom nodded. "When we read the Bible, we don't always understand every important truth right away--just like I didn't spot those berries. But when we take time to think about what a verse or passage says, it can help us see how it fits into God's story of how He continues to love us even though we sin. Everything in the Bible points to God's gift of Jesus, who became human and died and rose again to save us. Every passage can teach us something about Jesus and our need for Him. That's why we read all the parts of the Bible.""When we get back home, maybe I should read that Bible passage from this morning again," said Savannah."Why don't we read it together?" suggested Mom. "We can eat fruit from this bucket while we look for spiritual fruit in the Bible!" –Judith K. BoogaartHow About You?Are some parts of the Bible hard for you to understand? The Bible is full of poems, stories, and events that all reveal God's faithful love. Each one is important, but some can be difficult to understand on our own. That's why it's important to study the Bible with other Christians and depend on God for help. When you come across something that's confusing, ask God to give you understanding, and ask a trusted adult to help you too.Today's Key Verse:All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. (NLT) (2 Timothy 3:16)Today's Key Thought:Learn from all of the Bible

Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30Julian cheered in excitement at the tractor pulling contest. One of the contestants--a friend of Julian's family--revved the engine as his tractor strained to pull the heavy load. It inched along, then gathered speed to the finish line. "He made it!" Julian shouted, and he clapped along with others in the crowd."The next load he has to pull will be heavier," Grandpa said.The driver revved the engine again, and it moved slowly forward. The load behind the groaning tractor was dragged at a snail's pace to the finish line. Julian shot up from his seat and cheered.He grew anxious as he watched the workers add more weights to the next load. The driver powered up the engine, but nothing happened. Again the engine roared, but the load didn't budge. The driver hunched over the wheel as if to coax the tractor into one last try before time was up. Julian felt like he was in the contest himself, and he yelled encouragement as the tractor began to inch forward. Slowly, slowly it went, until at last it reached the finish line. It had moved a heavier load than any other tractor. The crowd went wild.Over hot dogs and pop, Grandpa and Julian talked about the contest. "It made me think about the struggles we have in life," said Grandpa. "Sometimes our loads are almost too heavy for us to pull."Julian nodded, thinking about the hard time he had in reading class at school. He just couldn't read as well as the other kids. After getting his last report card, Julian had gone to his room and cried.Grandpa smiled at him. "Way back when I was your age, I found out that Jesus wants to help us pull heavy loads--the hardships we face in life. So I ask Him to help me whenever I feel like things are just too much. The problems don't always disappear, but they seem lighter when I remember that Jesus, who took the burden of my sin by dying on the cross, wants to help me with any struggles that are weighing me down."Julian smiled back at Grandpa, knowing what he had to do. He would talk to Jesus about his struggle to read. He needed help with his heavy load. –Carolyn E. YostHow About You?Does something in your life seem too heavy to bear? Talk to Jesus about it. He wants to help you with your troubles. Maybe He'll take the burden away--but maybe not. Perhaps He'll simply comfort you and make your burden easier to bear as you trust Him with it. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, ask Him for help and trust that He'll lighten your load. Today's Key Verse:Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT) (1 Peter 5:7)Today's Key Thought:Jesus lightens loads

Bible Reading: Exodus 19:3-6; Isaiah 40:27-31Annie leaned her forehead against the cool windowpane of the airport in Sicily. She sighed as she watched yet another large airplane taxi down the runway and fly off into the big blue sky. Her family had been detoured on the way back to the States from Africa where they were missionaries, and it felt like they had been stuck in the airport for weeks instead of days."Vroom, vroom!" Her younger brother, Bryce, flew past her with his arms extended and accidentally bumped her elbow."Knock it off, Bryce!" Annie said irritably."Hey, what's the problem?" Dad asked, coming over.Annie sighed again. "It feels like we've been at the airport forever and God has forgotten about us!"Dad nodded thoughtfully. "I know it feels that way right now, but God is working out just the right flight for us to get on." He looked out the airport window as another plane took off. "Did you know the Bible talks about wings?"Bryce stopped making airplane noises and looked at Dad. "Like airplane wings?"Dad smiled. "These are a different type of wings. Do you remember the story in the Bible about the people of Israel getting ready to go into the land God had promised them? They had waited a very long time--longer than we've waited here! God reminded them of how He had taken care of them before, just like an eagle takes care of its young by carrying them on its wings. And God will always take care of us too. Jesus died and rose from the dead to make us God's children, and He won't ever forget about us. He promises to help us in every situation.""Wow. I never thought of it like that before," Annie said."Me neither," said Bryce."Speaking of wings," Dad said, "I think I'll go make another phone call and see if we'll be able to get on one of those airplanes today."As he walked away, Bryce got a silly look on his face. "Hey, Annie, what do you think the eagle said to Dad when the phone rang?"Annie shrugged. "I don't know. What?""Wing, wing!"Bryce and Annie's laughter echoed in the airport as they relaxed, knowing both their dad and their heavenly Father were taking care of them. –Kelly HopeHow About You?Have you ever been stuck in a hard situation and wondered if God had forgotten about you? It may feel like that sometimes, but He promises to care for you and work things out for the best. The next time you hear the sound of an airplane or see a bird flying in the sky, remember that God sent His own Son to save you and promises to always take care of you. Today's Key Verse:You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. (NIV) (Exodus 19:4)Today's Key Thought:God takes care of you

Bible Reading: Isaiah 43:1-4Max opened his car window and smelled pine trees. Mom and Dad sang their old camp song about a cowboy and his one-eyed horse. Max usually sang along. But today the lyrics caught in his throat.Mom and Dad's stories of camp made Max feel like he knew the place even though he'd never been there. He couldn't wait to come to Bible camp. But now as camp came into view, he wasn't so sure. "It's too bad the other boys from church couldn't come with you," Mom said.Dad parked the car and patted Max on the shoulder. "You're going to love it here!" Max felt funny inside as he watched Mom and Dad drive away.Max met his counselor, who showed him around his cabin. "Okay, Mike, here's your bunk." He doesn't even know my name, Max thought. Nobody here does. I don't belong here.The counselor shouted, "Campers! Time to meet out by the lake. Bring your Bibles. Move out!"In the noisy crowd, everyone seemed to be with friends. No one spoke to Max. At the beach, the camp director blew a whistle and shouted, "Bibles up! First one who turns to Isaiah 43:1, whistle the cowboy song!" A moment later Max and most of the other boys started whistling. The director pointed to Max. "Read the last part of verse one." Max read, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." The director nodded at Max and said, "Even though I don't know this camper's name, God does. And God knows each of your names. He knows all about you because He made you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to save you. This is the theme verse for camp this week, so we're going to memorize it and talk about it every day. It shows that God loves you and wants you to belong to Him."Max prayed silently, "God, I know I belong to You--thank you for saving me and always being with me. Please help me feel like I belong here too."On the way back to the cabin, a boy walked up to Max. "You must be new here," he said. "I'm Oliver." Max smiled and said, "My name is Max." –Laura RoeslerHow About You?Do you ever feel like an outsider and that people around you don't really know you? No one knows you better than God. He made you and wants to have a relationship with you because He loves you. Whenever you feel like you don't belong, remember that God wants you to belong to Him. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Trust Him to be with you when you feel alone and afraid. Today's Key Verse:Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. (CSB) (Isaiah 43:1)Today's Key Thought:God knows you and wants you

Bible Reading: Romans 12:9-13"Look!" said Rylee, stepping back from the huge saguaro cactus. "There's something in that hole!"Dad and Easton came over to see. Sure enough, a pair of blinking yellow eyes peered back at them from a hole in the trunk of the cactus."I think it's a screech owl," said Easton. "We learned that woodpeckers peck holes into cactuses when they make their nests. Then after they leave, other birds move into the empty holes and live there."Dad nodded. "Each time the cactus skin is broken--like when a woodpecker makes a hole--a thick gluey liquid seeps out and forms a waterproof pouch. The liquid hardens, kind of like a scab, to make the pouch permanent. Inside the hole it's cooler in the day and warmer at night, so it makes an ideal home for desert birds."Rylee saw big and little holes in the arms of one of the cactuses--they were everywhere. "This saguaro is like a high-rise apartment building!" she said with a laugh. "What a crowded place to live."Easton grinned. "Just like our house."Rylee nodded thoughtfully. Grandma had recently moved into their house, and Julia, a single mom who went to their church, was going to be living with them for a while with her two-year-old son, Wilder. Rylee remembered the discussion they'd had about Julia and Wilder coming. "You're kidding!" Rylee had said. "Where are they going to sleep?""Well, they will need to move into your room, and you'll have to share a room with Easton." Dad patted Rylee's hand when he saw the look on her face. "It's only for a while until Julia can get back on her feet. We'll all have to make some sacrifices, but that's often necessary when we're called to love others like Jesus, who sacrificed everything for us. Pray about it, will you?" Rylee had tried, but she hadn't felt comfortable praying. She knew she was being selfish. But now Rylee looked at the big saguaro that offered a home to any creature who needed it, even if it meant having holes pecked into its walls. I won't complain, she thought. Even if Wilder pounds holes into our walls too--and knowing him, I'm sure he will! –Trudy Vander VeenHow About You?Are you willing to give up some of your comforts or conveniences to help others? Try to put yourself in their shoes and consider how you might feel if you needed help and no one was willing to give it. When we needed to be rescued from sin, Jesus sacrificed His life to save us. Trust Him to help you love others the way He does and be willing to make sacrifices for them. Today's Key Verse:No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (NIV) (1 Corinthians 10:24)Today's Key Thought:Make sacrifices for others

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:9-16Rylee leaned back to see the top of the huge saguaro cactus next to her. Its spiny arms reached out and up toward the sky. "With so many big arms, this thing should be holding something. Try sitting on one of its arms, Easton," Rylee said with a grin."No way!" said Easton. "I'm not sitting on those prickly things!""Those arms," said Dad, "are holding what is probably the most valuable thing in the entire region.""And I know what it is," Easton said. "Water! Cactus plants can live in the dry, hot desert by storing water inside their trunk and arms.""That can't be right," said Rylee, looking around at the sand and rocks. They extended as far as she could see. "There's no water here!""Easton is right," said Dad. "Cactus roots don't go very deep into the earth. Instead, they go down only about three feet and then spread out about a hundred feet in all directions. The spread-out roots draw in every drop of rain, sending it to a hidden storage area in the arms and trunk of the cactus. That inner water supply is what keeps this cactus alive and growing. These big fellas can soak up as much as two hundred gallons of water--enough to last them a whole year!""Yeah, that's why they're pleated like an accordion," Easton said, eager to show his knowledge. "The pleats expand as the spongy material inside absorbs water.""That's incredible!" said Rylee. "Well, Mr. Cactus, I can see you're a pretty smart guy!"Dad smiled. "One with a good lesson for us about the importance of storing things.""About storing water?" asked Easton. "I don't really mind carrying a water bottle--and I like the size of my arms the way they are!"Dad laughed. "I wasn't thinking of your arms, Easton. Let's try your heart! I hope both of you will store God's Word in your heart and mind. Then when things get difficult, you can draw from those words of hope, comfort, and guidance. Knowing God's Word helps us remember what Jesus has done for us and that He's always with us. Like water in a dry desert, it will nourish you and help you grow in your relationship with Him." –Trudy Vander VeenHow About You?Have you been growing spiritually? Are you storing God's Word in your heart by reading the Bible and memorizing verses? Storing God's Word in your heart will help you understand how much Jesus loves you and who you are in Him. Read and study it so He can use it to guide you in your life, comfort you in hard times, and remind you of His promises. Today's Key Verse:Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (NKJV) (Psalm 119:11)Today's Key Thought:Soak up God's Word

Bible Reading: Revelation 7:9-12I can't even understand what they're saying," Ezra said as he and his family entered the church building. His family's car had broken down just over the Canadian border, so they now had to go to church at a place in Quebec, Canada, that his dad had heard about. Everything about the church seemed different to Ezra--the language most of all.When everyone started singing hymns, Ezra's dad passed him a book that said Cantiques on the front. "It's a hymnbook," Dad said. He flipped to the correct page and pointed to a line of words in the song. Ezra tried to follow along with the French song, but none of the words made any sense to him.Later, after church was over, Ezra noticed someone waving to him as he and his family left. He waved back, and his dad asked, "Who's that?""Oh, that's Jacque," Ezra explained. "I met him in Sunday school. He helped me understand the French on the papers the teacher handed out whenever there wasn't English underneath it.""I see," his dad said. "I suppose it was a bit confusing for you in the church service and in Sunday school.""You can say that again," Ezra replied."Going to church in a different country is an interesting experience, isn't it?" said Dad. "Though it can be confusing when things are different from what we're used to or we don't understand what's being said, it's good for us to worship God with Christians from other places in the world. We're all part of God's church and are brothers and sisters in Christ, who saved us by dying for our sins. We worship God in the same way, just in different places and languages." Dad smiled. "In fact, the apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation that there will one day be countless people of every nation, tribe, and language worshiping Jesus in heaven.""Including people from Quebec who speak French?" Ezra asked."That's right." Dad turned to see Jacque and his family leaving. "By the way, au revoir means 'goodbye' in French.""Au revoir, Jacque!" Ezra called."Au revoir, Ezra!" Jacque called back. "I hope to see you again!" –Ethan TerryHow About You?Have you ever attended a church in a different country or where a different language was spoken? Church is not simply a building--God's church is made up of everyone who trusts in Jesus, and He saves people from all over the world. Though we worship Jesus in different places and languages, we are all part of God's family, and one day we will worship Him together in heaven.Today's Key Verse:I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. (NLT) (Revelation 7:9)Today's Key Thought:Christians live around the world

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-5; 8:24-28"It's such a nice day," Adrianna said. "Look at the sunshine, Mom! Nate, don't you wish we could go to the waterpark today?"Nate looked at his little sister. "It would be fun, but I'm sure Mom and Dad have other plans for the day.""I'm not sure what our plans are," Mom said, taking a sip from her mug of coffee. "And it does look like a nice day.""Can I ask Daddy if we can go to the waterpark?" Adrianna asked, carrying her cereal bowl to the sink."You can ask," Mom said. "I'm not sure what he's thinking for today though.""Yay!" Adrianna skipped out of the kitchen. "The waterpark! The waterpark!" she sang.Mom smiled at Nate. "She's sure abounding in hope, huh?""What?" Nate's forehead wrinkled. "What do you mean?""In the Bible, the apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome encouraging them to abound in hope," Mom said. "To abound in hope means to be filled with it.""What kind of hope?" Nate asked. "Hope in what?""Hope in God," Mom said. "Paul reminds them that those who trust Jesus as their Savior have peace and joy and can be filled with hope because of His promises. It's a little like how Adrianna has hope your dad will say yes to a waterpark trip--she knows he loves her and enjoys doing good things for her.""And we can have hope God will do good things for us?" Nate asked.Mom nodded. "That doesn't mean He'll give us everything we ask for, but we can abound in hope knowing that He saved us, gave us His Spirit to be with us, and promises to do good things in our lives.""Do you think Dad will say yes to the waterpark?" asked Nate.Before Mom had a chance to respond, Adrianna bounded back into the room. "We're going to the waterpark!" she shouted.Mom grinned. "Your sister's hope did not disappoint," she told Nate. "Just like God does not disappoint us when we hope in Him.""The waterpark--yay!" Nate pumped a fist in the air. "And a God we can hope in." He glanced at his mom. "I'm happy for that too." –Emily AckerHow About You?Have you ever hoped for something? Did it work out the way you wanted, or were you disappointed? The Bible says that if you trust in Jesus, you can abound in hope knowing that He will never let you down. He saved you from sin and gave you eternal life, and He promises to always be with you. Let the joy, peace, and hope of knowing Him fill your life as you trust Him to do good things.Today's Key Verse:Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV) (Romans 15:13)Today's Key Thought:Have hope in God

Bible Reading: Psalms 26:1-3; 139:23-24"What's wrong with the car, Daddy?" asked five-year-old Lydia as the family drove to their country home after a church service in the village. "It's jerking.""It's sure running rough," said Dad. "It's been doing that lately, but it's never been this bad before.""Are we going to make it home?" Lydia peered through the window at the trees lining the steep drop at the side of the road."Sure, we'll make it," said Lydia's older brother, Barrett. "We always do."The car slowly climbed a long, steep hill. Dad pushed the accelerator pedal to the floor, but the car refused to speed up. Dad frowned. "I must say, I'm annoyed with myself for not checking this out sooner," he said. "I should have taken the car to the mechanic when I first noticed it wasn't running smoothly.""I think it's getting worse," said Barrett. He wasn't so sure they'd make it home after all.Mom sighed. "Well, at least we're close enough to home that we can walk the rest of the way if we have to, but we'd have a long uphill hike.""I guess the car needs regular checkups just like we do," said Barrett. "Like Pastor Kim said in his sermon this morning--have a checkup every day, and if you see a trouble spot, take care of the problem before it gets worse.""Our car needs a checkup every day?" Lydia asked, puzzled.Barrett laughed. "No, we do! As we pray, read the Bible, and go to church, we need to be on the lookout for any trouble spots of sin that God may be pointing out to us. If we see any, we need to confess them to Him right away. Jesus will forgive us and help us fix them so we can run smoothly again."To the relief of the whole family, the car kept going and they finally reached their driveway. "Well," said Dad, "I hope you'll remember this lesson about doing regular checkups in your life, because I don't intend to let this car teach us that lesson again. Tomorrow it goes to the mechanic to be fixed!" –Emilia D. NicholsHow About You?Do you do regular checkups in your life? Do you spend time with the Lord in prayer, in His Word, and at church? When you do that, you may see trouble spots of sin in your life that don't match up to how He wants you to live. If so, confess them to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. Trust Him to help you turn away from sin. Then keep doing checkups to make sure you're living in a way that shows others His love. Today's Key Verse:Search me, O God…see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NKJV) (Psalm 139:23-24)Today's Key Thought:Examine your life daily

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:14-29"Yum, your mangoes are the best, Nenek!" Eyes sparkling, Kira chewed the scrumptious mangoes her Indonesian grandmother had just peeled for her. "You mean Kakek's mangoes," Nenek said, chuckling. "Your grandfather was the one who bought and planted the seeds in our backyard. The tree grew and grew, but no mangoes. Kakek persisted and kept fertilizing it though. It was only after his death that fruit buds bloomed. Too bad he never saw the fruits of his labor." Kira's eyes dimmed as she thought of her grandfather, who died two years ago. "I miss Kakek." "Do you remember how he often took you to church?" said Nenek. "Even when his health started failing, he loved to take you and talk about what you learned afterward." Kira nodded. "I remember he took me to church two weeks before he was hospitalized. I didn't want to go then--I was tired from a basketball tournament on Saturday night, which we lost. But on Sunday morning, Kakek showed up with a huge smile and convinced me to go.""I remember you were really down that night," Nenek said. "You and your team worked so hard for that tournament.""Yeah--I thought of quitting basketball then. But then Kakek took me to church, and the sermon was on the parable of the bags of gold. Two of the servants were faithful with what God gave them and were able to make it grow. After church, Kakek said the parable was about using whatever God has given us--including our talents--to help more people know about Jesus. He told me about the time he lost a tennis match but kept on practicing and eventually won a game. He said his faith in Jesus kept him going and that he was trusting God to help him use his gifts however He wanted him to. It made me realize how much I needed Jesus. I asked Kakek to pray with me, and I became a Christian that day." Kira's face brightened. "I'm so glad I had him in my life, Nenek." She wrapped her arms around her grandmother.Nenek planted a kiss on Kira's forehead. "So in the end, Kakek did see the fruits of his labor--not the mangoes, but you putting your faith in Jesus." –Ruth SetyadiHow About You?Have you ever worked at something but failed to see results? Perhaps it was a hard subject at school or a sport. Maybe you prayed for a family member or friend to trust in Jesus, but they continue to reject Him. Don't give up. Be faithful and persistent in the things God has put on your heart to do, and trust Him with the fruits of your labor--whether you see them or not. Today's Key Verse:Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV) (Galatians 6:9)Today's Key Thought:Be faithful and persistent

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10"I need you to move a little faster, Lincoln. What's taking you so long? This morning could not be going any worse, and you're not helping things at all."Lincoln blinked back tears as his mom snapped at him for being too slow heading out to the van. One of his shoes had been hard to get on, so he was dragging his foot a bit, waiting until he was seated to fix it."I can't believe I overslept," Mom muttered to herself as they got into the van. "Today of all days, when I have a meeting with my boss…"Lincoln got settled in the van and worked on adjusting his shoe. He had it fixed by the time his mom dropped him off at his grandma's house.A few hours later, Mom returned to pick him up. "I'm sorry I was a little grumpy this morning, Lincoln." She held up a cup of an iced brown liquid. "I needed my morning coffee. I really can't go without that."Lincoln sighed. "You needed it, Mom?""Yes. You know me and coffee; I can't function without it."Lincoln followed his mom out to the van. "I thought the only thing we were supposed to need was Jesus.""Hmm." Mom settled into the driver's seat. "Well, technically, He is all we need," she said. "But we have some earthly needs too."Lincoln frowned. "Like coffee?"Mom backed out of the driveway and started through town. She was quiet for a few minutes before she glanced back at Lincoln. "Okay, that's not a good excuse," she said. "I'm not a baby, crying because I need my milk at the start of the day. More importantly, Jesus gives me the power to love others the way He does. I should be able to be a loving and kind person without coffee. I'm sorry.""I forgive you," Lincoln said. "And I'm sorry you overslept this morning.""Everything worked out in the end," Mom said. "Right now I just need God's grace, huh? I need Him to forgive me for letting my bad morning and lack of coffee affect my attitude and lead to a case of the grumpies taking over." –Emily AckerHow About You?What do you need each day in order to be kind and loving? Do you ever find yourself treating others badly because you're hungry, haven't slept well, or just want more time to yourself? Things like eating and sleeping well are important, but your greatest need of all is for Jesus. Trust Him to forgive your wrongs, meet your daily needs, and give you the power to show His love to others--even when you're tired or hungry.Today's Key Verse:And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (NIV) (Philippians 4:19)Today's Key Thought:Let Jesus be all you need

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:4-11"Dad, my glasses broke!" Levi said."Let me see," said Dad. "It looks like a screw needs tightening. I think I can fix them.""I wish I could get new glasses like Justin's," Levi said. "The ones he got are really cool. He's always getting new things, and kids crowd around him to see his new stuff. With glasses like that, I'd be important like Justin.""Well, let's see what we can do with these," said Dad. He set Levi's glasses on his workbench and reached for his toolbox. "For a job this important, I'll use my best tools." Dad lifted out a tray of screwdrivers, all of them in good condition. Dad was a carpenter, and he took good care of his tools. He pushed the tray toward Levi. "Which one should we use?" Levi looked through the tray of short, long, wide, and narrow screwdrivers. None of them was the right size for the tiny screw. "None of these will work," he said."Are you sure?" asked Dad. "These are my very best tools.""But they aren't the right ones for the job," said Levi."You're right." Dad pulled a tiny screwdriver out of a drawer and used it to tighten the small screw. "You know, getting new stuff to make us feel important is like using the wrong tool for the job. New stuff gets old and breaks, or someone else gets something better or more exciting than what we have. We might even find that other people just think our stuff is important and not us.""So if getting new stuff is the wrong way to feel important, what's the right tool we should use?" asked Levi. "The only way to truly feel loved and important is by receiving Jesus's gift of eternal life and embracing our identity in Him. He died and rose again to make us God's children, and that's a gift that will never break or wear out. Nothing will ever come along that's better. We're always loved and important to Him." Dad handed Levi the repaired glasses, and Levi put them on. "Thanks, Dad," he said. "I can see much better now--and I see I'm important to Jesus. No new stuff needed." –Heidi J. SchmidtHow About You?Do you wish you had cool stuff so other people would notice you or like you more? Having something that others want may make us feel important for a time, but that feeling only lasts until something new comes along. You don't need anything new to get God's attention. Being His child makes you important to Him, and His love and acceptance of you will last forever.Today's Key Verse:Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (NLT) (Philippians 3:8)Today's Key Thought:You are important to Jesus

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:5"Mae, I'd like you to put Miles down for his nap today," said Mom. "I need to make an important phone call.""Okay," said Mae, smiling at her little brother. "Nap time!" she announced to the energetic little boy. Laughing, Miles toddled away, wanting his sister to chase him. Mae caught him quickly. "Sleepy time, buddy," she said, taking him to his crib. She hoisted him over the side and laid him down. Little Miles scrambled around on the mattress, ignoring soft toys and stuffed animals. He settled down when Mae patted his back for a few moments. "Sweet dreams," she whispered, backing out of the room.Just as she was about to shut the door, Miles started crying. "Blankie!" he sobbed. "Blankie!" He pulled himself up and began to shake the railing. Mae frowned. Where did he leave his blanket? She checked the TV room. She dug through the toy box. She searched the hall closet. She looked under the dining room table and on the chair seats. Finally, she found the blanket in a lower cupboard in the kitchen.As soon as Mae handed Miles his blanket, he stopped crying. He clutched the blanket in his arms and dropped to the mattress. After a few shaky breaths, he smiled contentedly at Mae. "Sweet dreams," she said again as she left."Miles had to have his 'blankie' before he'd go to sleep," Mae told her mother later. "Good thing I found it or he never would have settled down.""That blanket is his security," said Mom. "I guess we all need security--even grown-ups! We need to feel comfortable and cared for and safe. What's your security, Mae?""My security?" asked Mae in surprise. She shrugged. "You, I guess. I know you're here to help me if I need you." She grinned. "You're my 'blankie.' What's yours?""Well, we all find some security in family and friends, but a Christian's real security is in Jesus and His love and forgiveness. He cares for us, and He's always available. He saved us and promises to do what's best for us, even when we go through difficult times."Mae nodded thoughtfully. "He's better than a blanket any day." –Mary M. IhlenfeldtHow About You?What's your security? People look for security in lots of places--money, possessions, government, and the people in their lives. But none of those things can provide real security--even the people who love you can't be with you all the time and make mistakes. Only Jesus can bring real security. He cares for you and will always be with you. Depend on Him.Today's Key Verse:I [Jesus] am with you always, even to the end of the age. (NKJV) (Matthew 28:20)Today's Key Thought:Jesus is always with you

Bible Reading: Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11; Romans 8:35-39Ryan helped his dad straighten the canvas of the tent that lay on the ground. "I love camping," he said. "Sleeping in a tent is so cool!"Dad smiled. "I think so too. Okay, help me get the pegs through these tent loops. We'll pound the pegs in about halfway at first and then secure them when they're all in place."Dad took one of the pegs and stuck it through a loop on the side of the tent. Ryan pounded it with the hammer. As Dad continued putting each peg in place, Ryan pounded it down. Then they put the poles together and raised the tent. "I can't wait to go inside and get my sleeping bag rolled out!" said Ryan."Well, don't try going in yet," said Dad. "It could collapse on you. We need to pound the pegs deeper into the ground first, remember?"Ryan nodded, and they got to work. When the tent was finally secured, they put their sleeping bags inside. Then they grabbed their fishing poles and headed for the river.Around midnight, Ryan woke to the sound of distant thunder. He saw that Dad was awake too. "Our tent won't blow down, will it?" Ryan asked. "Oh, I don't think so," said Dad. "The wind is pretty gusty, but I don't think it will get strong enough tonight to blow the tent away. The pegs will hold it in place." He was right. The wind soon died down and the storm passed, and Ryan and Dad went back to sleep."I'm glad we pounded those tent pegs in good and tight," said Ryan as they enjoyed a campfire breakfast the next morning."Me too," said Dad. "They kept our tent in place during the storm." He smiled at Ryan. "Do you know who holds us steady through the storms of life?""Jesus does," said Ryan. "If the wind got strong enough, the tent pegs might have let go, but nothing could ever make Jesus let go of us, could it?" "No way," said Dad. "He died for our sins and rose again so we could spend eternity with Him. No matter how many difficult things come into our lives, we can always count on Jesus to hold us steady and help us through them." –Pauline YoudHow About You?Has your life been shaken up by something difficult--divorce, a death in the family, crime, or the loss of a friend? Things like that can sometimes make life seem very dark and stormy. That's when you need to remember that Jesus is still with you. He loves you and promises to help you through all of life's storms. No matter what difficult circumstances you face, He will never let you go. Today's Key Verse:For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." (NLT) (Hebrews 13:5)Today's Key Thought:Jesus will always help you

Bible Reading: Galatians 5:22-25"Mom, can we have fruit salad for lunch?" asked Brynlee."Good idea," said Mom. "You can help me make it. We have lots of different kinds of fruit we can use today." As they began putting the fruit together, Mom had an idea. "Maybe we can put nine different kinds of fruit in our salad and pretend we're putting in the fruit of the Spirit," she said. "We learned about them in church last week, remember?""Yeah," said Brynlee. "I'll name them as we put them in." She put orange pieces into a big bowl. "I'll call these love," she said. Then she opened a can and added pineapple chunks. "These will be joy. What else do we have?""I have some fresh peach wedges ready," said Mom. "And here's a cantaloupe we can cut up."Brynlee put in the peaches, calling them peace. She decided on patience for the cantaloupe. "The apples will be kindness, and the pears will be goodness," she said. "I'll slice some bananas and call them faithfulness.""Okay, and you can add some of these grapes," said Mom. Brynlee called the grapes gentleness."We still need a fruit for self-control," said Brynlee. "But we don't have anything else, do we?"Mom shook her head. "No, I don't think so," she said. "Unless…" She opened a cupboard door. "How about some dried cranberries?" "All right!" said Brynlee. "Now we have something for each fruit of the Spirit.""Good," said Mom. "You did a great job remembering them. You got them all!"At lunchtime, everyone enjoyed the salad. "Good to the last bite," said Dad, popping the last piece of pineapple into his mouth."And now our fruit of the Spirit is all gone," said Brynlee."I hope not!" said Mom. "Spiritual fruit will always be a part of our lives as Christians. As we rely on the Holy Spirit to fill us with love and become more like Jesus, others will be able to see the fruit of God's love in us."Dad nodded. "I pray that the fruit God produces in our lives will show people we belong to Him." –Linda WeddleHow About You?Can others see the fruit of the Spirit in your life? People aren't able to see when you've had apples or peaches or other kinds of fruit for lunch, but the fruit of the Spirit should be visible in the life of every Christian. Are you letting others see the fruit of the love God has planted in your heart? Trust Him to help you let your words and actions show others you know Jesus.Today's Key Verse:The fruit that the Spirit produces in a person's life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (ERV) (Galatians 5:22-23 )Today's Key Thought:Display the fruit of the Spirit

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:11-13; Isaiah 64:8; Hosea 11:1-4"Good job!" Dad shouted to Ellery. He was holding on to her by a towel looped under her armpits as she practiced riding her two-wheel bike. Her tongue stuck out of her mouth in deep concentration as she tried to maintain her balance even with Dad's support. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, her eyes going wide. She started wobbling, but Dad held her upright as the bike went down to the ground. He hauled Ellery to her feet and smiled down at her. Ellery looked up at Dad and asked, "Again?"Ellery practiced her biking skills for a while longer before they returned to the campsite just in time to grill some burgers over the fire. Meredith, her older sister, and Mom were just finishing up their quiet time when they arrived. Dad helped Ellery assemble her dinner just the way she liked it--two slices of cheese, three squirts of mustard, and four pickles. "I read something interesting in my Bible today," Meredith said as Ellery dove into her food.Ellery made a strange gurgling sound that resembled the words, "What, what?" "Manners," both Mom and Dad said in unison.Meredith looked at her sister and shook her head before continuing. "I read that God is our Father. I think it's cool there are so many different words in the Bible that describe who God is.""Do you know why God calls Himself our Father?" Mom asked."Because He made us!" Ellery jumped in, now having swallowed her delicious bite."You're right," Dad said. "And when we trust in Jesus, we become part of God's family. The Bible also describes what kind of Father God is. He teaches us, encourages us, and is always with us.""Like how you helped me on my bike today!""Or how you helped me with my jump shot in basketball," Meredith added.Dad smiled at them. "Yes, but us human dads aren't perfect. My dad hurt me a lot when I was younger, and I know I'm not perfect and have messed up too. But God never does that. He is the perfect Father.""He's even better than you?" Ellery asked."Even better than you can imagine," Dad responded as Ellery leaned her head against his arm. –Zoe BricknerHow About You?Do you have a loving dad in your life? If so, Father's Day is the perfect time to thank God for that wonderful blessing--and tell your dad you're thankful for him too! If you don't have a dad in your life, or your relationship with him is difficult, know that God sees you and loves you more than you could ever know. Unlike human dads, God is a perfect Father. He cherishes you and will be with you always.Today's Key Verse:See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God's children. (CSB) (1 John 3:1)Today's Key Thought:God is our Father

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:3-7; 1 Peter 1:18-19"Sold!" proclaimed the fast-talking auctioneer, and Logan grinned at his mother. He found auctions fun and interesting, so he hadn't minded when she wanted to stop and see what was happening at this antique auction. "Another broken piece of junk sold to the highest bidder," Logan murmured, stifling a laugh. He liked to tease his mom about liking antiques.Mom smiled and nudged him with her elbow. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," she told him. Logan shrugged and continued sitting on his hands as the auctioneer began selling an autographed baseball. Logan had learned to avoid lifting his hand during the bidding. Earlier he had started to scratch his head and the auctioneer thought he was bidding on the item being auctioned. As they drove home after the auction, Logan asked his mom why people were so willing to spend their money on other people's junk. "I can't believe how much they'll pay for that stuff," he said. "I thought a few things they sold at the auction were cool, but people paid less for them than for stuff I wouldn't want if it were given to me! Who decides how much those things are worth?" "The condition of the piece is important," said Mom, "and whether the item is rare or not is also a factor. But the bottom line is…well, how much someone is willing to pay for it. That's really what determines how much an item is worth." Logan thought for a moment. "That's kinda like something we talked about in my class at church last week," he said. "Our teacher explained that God sent His Son to die for us--Jesus paid for our sins with His own life. I guess that makes us worth a lot!""I like that, Logan," Mom said. "I think you got a lot from that auction--even though you didn't buy anything." Logan had one more question. "Um, Mom, what did I almost buy today when I scratched my head?" "An old record player," Mom replied."Oh." Logan paused. "What's a record player?" –Mike DizeHow About You?Do you know how much you're worth? Because of what Jesus did for you, you're worth a lot--He paid a huge price for you! He gave His life to pay the price of your sin. Have you responded to that great love? Have you trusted Him as your Savior? If not, trust in Him today! (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)Today's Key Verse:You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 6:20)Today's Key Thought:You're worth what Jesus paid for you

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:8-9Gunner ran to the garage when he heard his parents drive in. "Is Grandpa okay?" he asked anxiously as they got out of the car.Dad put his hand on Gunner's shoulder. "Your grandfather isn't suffering anymore," he said quietly. "He died this afternoon--he's in heaven now." Gunner swallowed hard, forcing back tears that choked his throat. He walked away while Dad was still talking.In his room, Gunner thought about all the things he and Grandpa had planned to do. "It's not fair!" he muttered. He looked up as Dad came in. "I don't get it," Gunner said. "I prayed all day for Grandpa. God can do anything, can't He? So why didn't He heal Grandpa?""Sometimes God's answer to what we ask is no," Dad said gently. "I don't know why He didn't heal Grandpa, but I know Jesus promises to be with us in our pain and sadness. Grandpa is in heaven with Him now, and someday we'll see him again." Gunner turned away. He wasn't ready to give up his grandfather. "But I wanted Grandpa to stay here with us."Dad sat down beside him. "When you ask Mom and me for something we don't think is good for you, we tell you no. You don't like it when we say no. You might be upset about it--maybe even angry sometimes. But you know we love you and want what's best for you, right?" Gunner nodded. "We talk about what's happening and how all of us feel, and we go on loving each other," continued Dad. "We're a family even though we disagree. Well, that's how it is with God too. When we don't get what we ask Him for, we're unhappy and sometimes get angry with Him. It's okay to tell Him how we feel, but we need to remember that God loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us. He wants what's best for us--and for Grandpa.""But I'm going to miss Grandpa so much," Gunner said, resting his face against his dad's shoulder."Me too," Dad said. "We can cry together." Gunner slipped his arm around his dad and hung on tight. "But let's thank Jesus that Grandpa is with Him now," said Dad. "And let's trust Him even though we're hurting." –Janet BoulterHow About You?Has someone you love died? Is someone sick? Tell Jesus about your hurts and fears. You may not always understand why He allows certain things to happen, but He will always be there with you and help you through times of pain and sorrow. Remember that He is good and that He loves and cares for you, even when you don't understand.Today's Key Verse:As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways. (Isaiah 55:9)Today's Key Thought:Trust Jesus when you're hurting

Bible Reading: James 4:13-17; 1 Peter 4:7-11Jade stretched and yawned. Then she jumped down from her place on the top bunk and hurried to get dressed."Let's go, troops!" yelled a cheery voice from outside. "We have many miles to cover on our morning hike.""How can Ella be so cheerful at seven o'clock in the morning?" asked Hayley, one of Jade's cabinmates."I don't know," Jade answered, "but I like it. Her cheerfulness rubs off on me. Let's go."Jade and Hayley joined the other campers as they gathered in front of the dining hall. "Good morning!" said Ella, their camp counselor. "Are you ready for our adventure? We'll fix breakfast a little way down the trail."A few minutes later, they were off. "Make sure you stay on the trail," Ella told the group. "There was a heavy mist last night, and everything is damp. The grass is pretty wet, and your feet will be too if you walk on it.""It's not misty now," said Hayley. "Isn't it funny how mist just disappears?" "Yeah--like a vapor," said Jade. "I learned a verse at church that says life is a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes.""That's right," said Ella. "I know that verse too. It tells us how short life is--like a mist. And what did the mist do while it was here?" "It made things wet," Hayley replied. "It soaked the grass so much that we don't want to walk on it." Ella nodded. "Right. And in a way, we soak our environment too. For example, do you know anyone who soaks you with joy?"Jade spoke up quickly. "You do! You always soak me with your cheerfulness, Ella. You make me feel happy."Ella was surprised. "Why, thank you! But you know, the only reason I'm able to do that is because Jesus fills me with joy. Our lives may be short, but Jesus gives us the ability to soak other people's lives with His love. When we trust in Him, He fills our short lives on this earth with great purpose--the purpose of helping others know He loves them and offers them eternal life with Him." –Kathy A. BrandHow About You?What do you soak those around you with? Our time on earth may be short, but with Jesus, you can make a big difference in other people's lives. When you trust in Him, He fills you with His love and joy so you can point others to Him. Even though life is short, trust Jesus to help you become more like Him so He can use your life for His great purpose. Today's Key Verse:A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (NIV) (John 13:34)Today's Key Thought:Share Jesus's love with others

Bible Reading: Romans 12:4-10Cassie sat on the beach with her seagull in a cage at her side. She looked up at her mother, who was standing beside her. "I'm not sure I can let Howard go, Mom," she said. "He's just about the only friend I've got!" She sighed. "Some kids at school say I'm dumb because I have to go to special classes." Cassie looked down. "Why can't I be smart like other kids?"Mom sat down and put her arm around Cassie. "You're very smart, honey. That word doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. Besides, our value isn't based on what we can do--it's based on who we are in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. But He did also make each one of us special and give us our own gifts and talents."Cassie wiped her eyes. "I don't have any gifts.""Oh, but you do, Cassie!" Mom said. "I believe you have the wonderful gift of being able to help others.""I do?" Cassie asked, wide-eyed.Mom nodded. "You're very helpful to lots of people. When Grandma broke her hip, you went to her house almost every day to help out. You always remember to pray for kids at school who are sick--and look at Howard." Cassie looked down at the seagull. "Howard was badly injured when you found him," continued Mom, "and with help from the wildlife refuge, you nursed him back to health." Mom smiled. "The workers at the refuge said you have such a natural way of handling him that he's even become your friend. You've done such a good job, and now he's ready to be released. You're helpful in many ways." Cassie shrugged. "Anyone would do those things." Mom shook her head. "I wish that were true, but not everyone is that sensitive to the needs of others."Cassie looked at Howard. "Well, Howard, how would you like your freedom?" She stood up and opened the cage, and the bird was soon in the air. He floundered a bit, then squawked what must have been a thank you and sailed out over the water. Cassie smiled. She would miss her little friend, but she was eager to see where she could use her special way with animals next. –A.J. SchutHow About You?Do you realize that everyone--including you--has special gifts from God? Maybe you think other kids are gifted because they get better grades or have greater athletic ability than you. But you're gifted too--God may have just given you different gifts than He gave those kids, like perhaps being friendly and encouraging others. Be thankful for the gifts God has given you and use them to help others.Today's Key Verse:Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church…gifts. (NIV) (1 Corinthians 12:27-28)Today's Key Thought:God gives gifts to everyone

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1-5; James 1:12-15"I can't believe it! Andrew says he's a Christian, but I saw him looking at a bad website on his tablet today," Zane told his dad. "He must be really weak to look at that kind of stuff.""So looking at websites like that doesn't appeal to you at all?" Dad asked."No way!" said Zane. "I don't have any problem staying away from that junk.""I'm glad," Dad said as he put fishing rods into the trunk of the car. "Did you pack the trout flies?" "Trout flies? I thought we were fishing for northern pike. You won't hook one of them with a trout fly!"Dad grinned. "I can see you know a lot about fishing bait." He shut the trunk door. "So, what kind of bait do you need to look out for?" "Me?" asked Zane. Dad nodded. "Just like different fish are caught with different lures, different people are tempted to sin by different things. As you pointed out, Andrew is tempted by things he shouldn't look at online. So what are you tempted by?" "Um…" Zane hesitated. "I don't know.""Well, let's see. Why were you grounded last week?" asked Dad.Zane's face grew warm. "I got upset at Macie and smashed one of her toys on the floor." "And you got in trouble last month for pushing down a boy at school," said Dad. "So you have to watch out for a different lure than Andrew does--you're often tempted to hurt others when you feel angry." Zane sighed. "I guess Andrew and I are a lot alike." "You and Andrew and every other Christian," said Dad. "We all struggle with sin, but we're not all tempted by the same things. So instead of judging other Christians when they're tempted by certain sins, we need to encourage them and remind them that Jesus has freed us from sin. And if they do give in, we need to show them grace--just like Jesus does for us." Zane nodded. "I'll do that next time I see Andrew looking at things he shouldn't--and ask him to do the same for me when I get angry.""Good idea." Dad opened the car door. "Okay, jump in. Let's go get 'em!" –Karen DitthardtHow About You?What sins do you struggle with? You may not struggle with the same things your friends do, but all Christians struggle with temptation at times. Jesus tells us not to point a finger at others while ignoring our own shortcomings. Instead, we need to remind other Christians who they are in Jesus when they're tempted to sin--and be on the lookout for the things that tempt us. Today's Key Verse:Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (NIV) (James 1:14)Today's Key Thought:Christians struggle with different sins

Bible Reading: 1 John 1:5-10"Your mom's calling you for lunch?" Josie asked in surprise as she talked on the phone with her cousin Olive. "You mean you haven't eaten lunch yet? It's almost two in the afternoon! We ate a long time ago.""Well, it's only noon here in Colorado, remember?" Olive replied. "We're in different time zones." "Oh, that's right!" said Josie. "Well, I'd better go anyway--have a nice lunch."The girls said goodbye, and Josie hung up. Then she wandered out to the backyard where her dad was working. "Josie, I need you to walk down to Tess's house and pick up your sister," Dad said as he poured fertilizer out of a bag. "It's time for her to come home, and I'm busy with this.""Why can't she just walk home?" asked Josie."She's too young to walk that far by herself," said Dad. "I'm covered in fertilizer, so I need you to go get her.""No, I don't want to!" said Josie. "I'm sick of always doing everything for her. She's so annoying!" Josie turned and hurried toward the house.When Josie found herself sitting alone in her room a few minutes later, she wished she had obeyed her father, but it was too late now. She knew she deserved to be punished.When Dad came to Josie's room, she looked up sadly. "I wish we were in Colorado," she said. "It's two hours earlier there--just a little after twelve o'clock instead of two o'clock--so the time I got into trouble hasn't happened there yet. When it got to be two o'clock, I would obey you instead of talking back. I wish I hadn't done that.""Things that have happened can't be made to unhappen," Dad said. "We can't go back in time--and even if we could, we'd still sin and make mistakes. But we can be forgiven for the wrong we've done. You don't need to move to another time zone for that. When you confess your sin to Jesus, He'll forgive you--and I will too."Josie jumped up. "I'm sorry, Dad!" she said. "I really am!"Dad smiled. "Good," he said as Josie gave him a hug. "Then you can go get your sister so I can finish with the fertilizer."Josie sighed. "Okay, Dad," she said. "I will." –Nance E. KeyesHow About You?Have you ever wished you could go back and undo something you've done? You can't do that, but because Jesus paid for your sins on the cross, you can be forgiven. If what you did hurt other people, do your best to make things right with them. Let them know you're sorry, and accept the consequences of your sin. Most importantly, confess your sin to Jesus. He will forgive you and give you a clean start.Today's Key Verse:If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV) (1 John 1:9)Today's Key Thought:God forgives

Bible Reading: Genesis 50:20; Psalm 66:10-12; 1 Peter 1:6-9"Wow, look at all the flowers!" Kayla stared in awe at the field of flowers. Her family was hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park. To their left was a stunning lake surrounded by mountains and to their right was a forest filled with beautiful pinkish-purple flowers. The trees were all blackened and bare, so the true beauty came from the flowers and the backdrop of mountains."These flowers are called fireweed," Mom said. "They're called that because they grow after a fire.""Is that why all the trees are burnt?" Kayla asked. "Because of a fire?""Yes," Dad replied. "Several years ago there was a huge wildfire here. It burned all the trees and plants. Until the rest of the plants grow back, all that's here is the fireweed. The roots of fireweed can survive extremely hot temperatures, so it is one of the first plants to sprout up. The fire can even help it grow.""It's so beautiful how these flowers can grow even after the devastation of a fire," Kayla said."I think it's a beautiful example of how God works to bring good things out of bad things," Mom said thoughtfully. "Sometimes He allows bad things to happen in our lives so He can use them for good.""Yeah, the fire must've been terrible, but God was nourishing little roots of beauty even then," Kayla said.Mom nodded. "That's so true. Sometimes we can see how God is working in our lives, but often we won't see it right away. When this wildfire was raging through the park, I'm sure people worried that a lot of the park's natural beauty would be destroyed. But after the wildfire died down, these wildflowers sprouted up! And the park is still beautiful, even though there's not as many trees as before. In the same way, God can use our hard times to help us grow in our faith, which is a beautiful thing.""That also reminds me of Jesus's sacrifice," Dad said. "It must've seemed like a terrible thing to Jesus's disciples for Him to be crucified. But God planned it for good--it was the only way we could be saved from sin and have eternal life with Him."Kayla smiled. "I'm so thankful God causes beauty to flourish even after hard times." –Elizabeth CooperHow About You?Do you have a hard time seeing beauty in your life when things are hard? Sometimes it can take a while to see God bring good things out of bad things, and sometimes we won't see how God was working in our lives until we get to heaven. But because of Jesus's sacrifice, we have the hope of an eternal future with God and can trust Him to use even bad things that happen in our lives for good.Today's Key Verse:We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (CSB) (Romans 8:28)Today's Key Thought:God brings good things out of bad things

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:9-14Hudson was working on his electric train set when Dad joined him in the basement. "How's the train project coming along?" he asked."Good!" said Hudson. "It's almost ready to run.""All right!" said Dad. "And how was school today?"Hudson frowned. "I got in trouble for coming in late from recess again, and Miss Cooley gave me extra math homework because I didn't do the homework she assigned yesterday." He sighed. "Everyone's always on my case--I wish I could just do whatever I wanted, like you and Mom." "Hmm," said Dad. "Well, Hudson, let's see how your train runs." He reached over and pressed the start button, and the train began moving."Wait! What are you doing? I don't have all the tracks down yet!" exclaimed Hudson. "It's gonna crash!" As he spoke, the train rounded the turn and rolled off the track, falling on its side. Hudson sighed. "I knew that would happen.""So the train needs the tracks," said Dad. "Otherwise it doesn't get where it's supposed to go, right?"Hudson nodded. "Yeah." "Well, God's path for your life is like those tracks," said Dad. "He sent Jesus to die for you so you could have a relationship with Him for all eternity, and He is patiently building your character and shaping you to be more like Jesus so others can see His love in you. He does that for each one of His children, but when we insist on doing things our own way and disobey the people He puts in our lives to help us learn, we get off track. When that happens, we need to ask Him to forgive us and set us right again." Dad picked up the train and set it back on the track. "It may seem like Mom and I can do whatever we want because we're adults, but that's not true. We're just farther down our life track than you are and have already learned many of the things God is still teaching you--like responsibility. But we still need His guidance and forgiveness just as much as you do.""Okay, Dad," Hudson said as he put another piece of the track in place. "I'll trust God to help me stay on track." –Michael R. ChapmanHow About You?Do you get tired of people telling you what to do? Do you ever wish you could do whatever you wanted? Remember that God has placed people in your life to teach you what He wants you to learn. As you get older, you'll have more freedom in making choices, but you'll have more responsibilities too. That's why you need to depend on God to help you stay on track. Trust Him to lead you along life's path in the way He wants you to go. Today's Key Verse:That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (NKJV) (Colossians 1:10)Today's Key Thought:Trust God's path for your life

Bible Reading: Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 6:25-27, 31-34"Get in there!" said Finley, shoving her beach blanket into her suitcase. "Are you still packing?" asked her older brother, Ian. "We're leaving in ten minutes! Here, let me help you." He jumped on the lid of the suitcase, holding it in place while Finley moved the zipper around the edges.Dad appeared at the door. "I'll take your suitcase to the car," he said, picking it up. "Wow! Why is it so heavy?" "Because she's taking half the things in her room!" said Ian."Well, they're important," Finley said. "I need my hat, my beach blanket, and three swimsuits in case I can't decide which one to wear. I need my sailboat to play with in the ocean, and I can't build sand castles without my pail and shovel. If it rains, I'll have my raincoat, my boots, and my umbrella. I also packed a puzzle, some games, and bedtime books. And my teddy bear in case I can't fall asleep.""I think you should leave some things behind," said Dad. "But what if I need something and don't have it?" "Finley, I think something else might be weighing your suitcase down," said Dad. "Just like you packed too many things in your suitcase, you can also pack too many worries in your head--and they can make life very heavy." "I thought I was just planning ahead for a good vacation," said Finley. "It's good to be prepared, but there's a difference between planning ahead and trying to control anything that could happen. That's what worrying really is--being afraid of something you can't control. If you unpack your worries, your suitcase will probably be lighter too." "But how do I unpack my worries?" asked Finley."By surrendering them to Jesus. He loves you so much He died for you, and He promises to take care of you. Instead of worrying about what might happen, you can have peace knowing He's in control. Let Him carry the weight of your worries." Dad unzipped Finley's suitcase. "Why don't we take a moment to pray about some of your worries now? Then we can lighten up that suitcase and start our vacation!" –Elena DeeHow About You?Do you feel heavy with worry? Are you afraid of things in your life you can't control? Worries can weigh you down like a heavy suitcase, but it doesn't have to be that way. Jesus wants to carry your worries for you. He died and rose again to save you, and He promises to provide you with everything you need. Pray about what's worrying you, and trust Him to take care of you and give you peace.Today's Key Verse:Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. (ERV) (1 Peter 5:7)Today's Key Thought:Give your worries to Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalms 8; 104:24-28Carson loved visiting the aquarium. There was so much to see there, and he not only liked seeing the bigger fish but also the smaller ones and the other creatures that lived in the ocean. He could spend hours watching the tanks and all the different creatures that lived in them."Having fun?" Carson's uncle Brett asked.Carson's younger cousins were running back and forth, shouting out the names of everything they saw, but Carson had chosen to stand and quietly observe the tank in front of him.Carson nodded. "This is awesome.""It is. Just think about God's creativity with all of this," Uncle Brett said. "He could have made all the fish look alike, but instead they are different colors, shapes, and sizes.""Yet they all live together in the ocean." Carson shook his head. "It's amazing."They continued on in the aquarium for a while before taking a break for lunch. Carson was disappointed to leave. "There's just so much to see. I want to make sure we get to all of it," he said with a sigh as he followed his family away from the tanks."We'll see more of it after lunch," Uncle Brett said. "And since you're so interested, maybe we'll have to come back again. Or better yet, maybe you and I could go snorkeling one day."Carson's eyes widened. "Really?"Uncle Brett nodded. "I always love seeing more of God's creation. The ocean is filled with even more amazing creatures than we can find here.""That would be so cool," Carson said.Uncle Brett nudged his shoulder. "The ocean and all that's in it is pretty amazing, but one of God's most special creations is right here.""Huh?" Carson glanced at him."You!" Uncle Brett said. "God created you and your cousins and me and all people with just as much care as He did all the creatures in the ocean. But He made us in His own image, and when we were separated from Him because of sin, Jesus died and rose again to save us and give us eternal life. I think that makes us pretty special, don't you?""Yeah." Carson smiled. "But I'd still love to go snorkeling in the ocean." –Bethany AckerHow About You?When you look at the ocean and all the creatures that live in it, does it amaze you? How does it feel to know God made all that and that He made you too? People are God's most special creation, and He loves us so much He sent Jesus to die for us so we could live with Him forever. When you look at God's amazing creation, remember how special you are to Him.Today's Key Verse:There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number--living things both large and small. (NIV) (Psalm 104:25)Today's Key Thought:God created the oceans and you

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11; Jeremiah 18:6Tiago held a headless clay animal in his hand. "Mom!" he wailed. "I forgot to put my animal back in the container, and the clay got all hard and dry before I could finish, so now it doesn't have a head!" "I'm sorry, Tiago," said Mom. "But it's too late to do anything about it now. It's time for bed." "But my animal project is due tomorrow, and now all this work was for nothing!" Tiago groaned as he dropped the animal onto his dresser and crawled into bed. Mom glanced at the Bible on Tiago's dresser. "Aren't you going to read a few verses before you go to sleep?" she asked. "I thought you did that every night."Tiago shrugged. "I've been busy lately, and I don't understand it very well anyway." He pulled the covers up to his chin. "I think it'd be better to wait until I'm older so I can understand it."Mom picked up the animal Tiago had made. "Did you know that we're a lot like clay?" "We are?" asked Tiago.Mom nodded. "The Bible compares us to clay that God shapes. When you shaped this, it took time, didn't it? You kept working with it until it looked good. God does that with us. One way He does that is through His Word--the Bible. Even though you don't understand everything, it helps you learn more about Jesus and what He did to save you. As you read and listen to God's truth in the Bible, He works in your heart and helps you learn to trust and obey Him so He can shape your life into something beautiful."Tiago looked at the hardened clay his mom was holding. "He'll probably do a better job shaping me than I did with that animal, huh?""Yes," said Mom. "You can trust Him to shape you to be more like Jesus--and reading your Bible will help you understand more about what that looks like." Mom set down the animal and picked up Tiago's Bible. "So do you want to read a few verses now? You can let me know if you need help understanding them.""Okay," said Tiago. "But don't go far away. I'll probably need help!" –A.J. SchutHow About You?Does the Bible seem too hard for you to understand? Even though you don't understand everything, it helps you learn more about who God is and what He's done for you. So spend time reading it each day, and ask other Christians--like parents, teachers, or pastors--to explain some of the things you find difficult. God will use it to shape you into the person He wants you to be.Today's Key Verse:My word…will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire. (NKJV) (Isaiah 55:11)Today's Key Thought:God shapes you through His Word

Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21Trey was excited because today Grandma was finally going to teach him how to make her famous molasses bread. As Dad dropped him off and waved goodbye, Trey could already taste the rich, fluffy bread and the salty crunch of toasted oats on top.Grandma welcomed Trey with a hug and led him into the kitchen. They used sign language to communicate because Trey was deaf. Grandma signed "flour," "molasses," "yeast," and "spoon." Trey scurried around the kitchen to find the ingredients while Grandma started mixing. As they added more and more ingredients, a dark and gooey dough formed. Grandma placed a towel over the dough bowl before gently setting it in a sunny part of the kitchen."Why doesn't the dough look like bread yet?" Trey signed.Grandma smiled. "The dough must rise before it goes in the oven."That made sense to Trey. After an hour and a half, they checked the dough. It was double the size and very poofy. Grandma punched down the dough before laying it on the pan and putting it in the oven.Trey frowned. The dough still didn't look like bread. It didn't look tasty at all. Did Grandma forget something?He asked her this, and she replied, "Just you wait and see."When Grandma took the tray out of the oven, Trey was nervous. But the bread looked perfect, smelled perfect, and tasted even better than perfect.As they ate, Grandma said, "You know, making bread reminds me of what it's like to become God's new creation."Trey shrugged, confused. Grandma continued. "Before we put our trust in Jesus, we are like raw, scattered ingredients--we don't have a purpose. We are controlled by our wrong desires and deserve death because of our sin. But Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead so we could have new life and live with Him forever. Jesus gives us a purpose--to love Him and others and become more like Him. Just like the dough needs the oven to become bread, we need Jesus to be saved from sin and be made new."Trey nodded eagerly and took Grandma's hand to pray. Somehow this seemed even better than Grandma's famous molasses bread.–Hannah ChungHow About You?Have you ever baked something and wondered, "How do these random ingredients make something so delicious?" Without the oven, the dough would be raw and inedible. Similarly, we can only have true life by trusting in Jesus. When you trust Him to save you, God immediately makes you new! Trust in Jesus today and experience a new life of purpose. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)Today's Key Verse:Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV) (2 Corinthians 5:17)Today's Key Thought:Christ alone makes us new

Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-37; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Peter 4:12–14Alisha ran inside the house. "There's a butterfly outside!" she exclaimed. "I got a picture on my phone. Do you want to see it?" she asked Devin, her older sister."Sure." Devin inspected the photo. "That butterfly is beautiful," she said as she cut into a mango. Alisha frowned as juice hit her phone. "That mango juice is getting everywhere."Devin shrugged as a piece of mango flew across the kitchen. "I'm trying to keep it from splashing all over the place, but mangos are messy."Alisha sat down at the counter and watched her sister. "Why eat mangos then? If they're messy, you could just not buy them." Devin popped a piece of mango into her mouth. "Because they taste really good, and I think it's worth it." She gave Alisha a smile. "It's kind of like your school problem." Alisha blinked. "Your mango is like people being mean to me at school because I believe in Jesus?" she asked doubtfully. "Kind of. Being a follower of Jesus can be messy. The Bible even tells us that--it says others might make fun of us or try to make life harder for us, like the kids at school who are mean to you. But you haven't stopped trusting in Jesus, have you?" Alisha looked shocked. "Why would I do that? He died for my sins so He could be with me all the time, and someday I'll be able to spend forever in heaven with Him."Devin smiled. "See? Knowing Jesus is worth it. Just like the mangos." She cut into a second mango. Alisha ducked so no juice would hit her. "I don't care how messy following Jesus is! Just like you don't care how messy your mango is." She thought about that for a moment. "I guess that makes sense. Kids at school make fun of me, but I know that Jesus loves me and died to save me, and that's worth whatever mean stuff people say." Alisha shrieked as a piece of mango hit her arm. "But those mangos are not worth it at all. I'm getting out of here!" –Kimberly BrokishHow About You?Has anyone ever been mean to you because you believe in Jesus?* Maybe they've called you names or said Jesus isn't real. The Bible tells us that being Christians doesn't protect us from all hardships--in fact, sometimes we will experience difficulties because we follow Jesus. But the Bible does tell us that Jesus will always love us and be with us. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus will be with you no matter what happens. He is worth any difficulties that come with following Him. *If someone is being mean to you, talk to a trusted adult so they can help.Today's Key Verse:That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV) (2 Corinthians 12:10)Today's Key Thought:Hardships come when we follow Christ

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9The sick feeling in Micah's stomach got worse as the plane lifted off the ground and lurched into the air. Everything below him was the size of ants. Not only did he feel sick to his stomach, his chest felt tight too. Dad sat next to him and tried to smile encouragingly. It didn't help. Since his parents' divorce he'd had to spend most of his time with Mom and went to visit Dad in the summer and over Christmas. Every time he left Mom, Micah felt scared. He wasn't afraid of his dad--he loved him--just scared of change. Of traveling to new places. Airports. Big cities. The sadness he felt from his parent's divorce was bad enough, but the fear that came with it made him feel like his life was out of control. The plane leveled off, and Micah began to breathe a little easier. Dad reached over and gave him a hug. "Change is hard, isn't it? New things and places can be uncomfortable. But I know something that might help you." Dad pulled out his Bible. "This morning I read about Joshua leading the children of Israel into their new land. There were bad guys to fight, he'd never led anyone into battle before, and change was all around him. But God was with him and brought him through it all." Dad squeezed Micah's arm. "I know your mom's and my divorce has been very difficult for you and how many changes you've had to go through. But I also know that because you trust in Jesus, God is with you and will never leave you. Wherever you go, He goes. God was with Joshua just like He promised, and He promises to be with you too. You don't have to be afraid."After Micah listened to Dad read some verses from his Bible, he thought about it for a while. He liked the idea of never being alone. Someone would always be with him when new things happened or new people came into his life. And not just anyone, but someone who loved and cared about him. A trusted Friend--Jesus. Micah relaxed back into his seat and smiled. "You know, Dad, I think this is gonna be our best visit ever!" –S.K. FryHow About You?Have you ever been afraid of change? Of being alone? God promises in His Word that He will always be with His children. Jesus gave His life to save you from sin and make you God's child, and He will be with you in hard times and give you strength and guidance. No matter what happens or where you go, He will always be with you. Today's Key Verse:Be strong and courageous…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV) (Joshua 1:9)Today's Key Thought:God is with you

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:6-10; Luke 11:37-41"Mom, can we go home now? I'm sooo bored!" Stella slumped against the seat of the car. "Stella, we're almost done--kids, look! A whole block sale!" Mom pulled the car over to the side of the road. Hayden excitedly pressed his nose against the window. "I love yard sailing!" The family got out of the car. Hayden ran straight to a model airplane. Stella stuck close to her mom as they looked at different mugs. Mom picked up one with a lid just as Hayden came running back. He and Stella both saw it at the same time, and the siblings gasped in unison. "That is the prettiest mug I've ever seen!" Stella exclaimed. "Mom, you have to get it!" Hayden said. "All right, fine." Mom laughed and brought the mug to the cashier. When the family arrived home, Stella asked, "Mom, can I please have the mug?" Mom smiled. "No, but if you clean it, you can be the first to drink out of it!" Stella's eyes sparkled. "Deal!" She ran excitedly to the sink. She opened the lid of the mug and immediately shut it. "Eww, it's all gross on the inside!" Mom came over and peered at the mug. "Kids, this is a perfect example of what I read during my devotions today! In the book of Matthew, Jesus told the Pharisees to first clean the inside of the cup, and then the outside will also be clean. What do you think that verse actually means?"Stella wrinkled her nose in thought. "Oh, I know! God wants what we look like on the inside to matter more to us than our outward appearance." Hayden's eyes widened. "God wants us to clean our insides?" Stella smirked. "No, silly. God sees our hearts, and that's what matters to Him." "Oh, I get it now!" said Hayden. "We need to let Jesus make us clean." "You got it," said Mom. "When we trust Jesus as our Savior, He cleans our sin away and pours His love into our hearts. Then our outward actions will make His love visible to others." She smiled. "Now, who wants some hot chocolate to go in that mug?" –Summer ColemanHow About You?Are you more concerned with your outward appearance and how others see you than with God and how He sees your heart? What's on the inside matters more because when we truly have a clean heart, it shows in the way we act and speak. How do you get a clean heart? By trusting in Jesus. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) When you have His love in your heart, others will see it in how you treat them.Today's Key Verse:First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean. (NKJV) (Matthew 23:26)Today's Key Thought:What's inside is most important

Bible Reading: Psalm 42:1-4"It's still raining," said Hayley. "Isn't the sun ever going to shine again?""We need rain to make the garden grow," said Mom. She smiled at her daughter. "This might be a good time for you to pray and read your Bible. You haven't done that yet today, have you?" "No--but I have some other things I want to do first." Hayley quickly headed for the stairs. "Seems like all we do in this family is go to church and read the Bible and pray," she mumbled to herself. She blushed when she saw Mom glance her way. Oops! I hope Mom didn't hear that, she thought.A little while later, Hayley came back downstairs and glanced out the window. "Good!" she said. "The rain stopped. We've had enough." "Come with me to the garden," said Mom. "I want to show you something."Outside, Mom plunged a shovel into the dirt and turned it over. The ground was quite wet on top, but a little way down, the dirt was dry."I thought it'd be muddy a mile below the surface!" said Hayley. "I guess we do need more rain."Mom nodded. "The ground needs a lot of regular rain or it will dry out," she said. "It reminds me of us--if we don't regularly pray, read the Bible, and go to church, we can dry out spiritually." Hayley sighed. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you?""Yes, I did," said Mom. "And I know it can be hard to do those things sometimes, but the Bible compares our need for Jesus to thirst. Even after we've put our faith in Him, we still need to spend time with Him so He can remind us that He has saved us and help us feel His love and presence in our lives. If we don't pray, read His Word, and worship Him with other Christians regularly, we can lose sight of how much we need Him and become spiritually dry--just like this ground without rain." Hayley was silent as they headed back to the house. "I think I'll go have my quiet time now," she said once they were inside. "I'm feeling thirsty for God's Word." –Cindy Huff How About You?Are you eager to spend time with Jesus and get to know Him better? As a Christian, your soul thirsts for Jesus, and that thirst can only be quenched by spending time in His presence so He can remind you of His love and that you are His. Don't be a dry Christian. Spend quality time reading God's Word, talking to Jesus, and learning all you can about Him. Today's Key Verse:I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. (NLT) (Psalm 143:6)Today's Key Thought:Don't be a dry Christian

Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:20-27; Matthew 14:22-32Mara climbed up onto the beam Dad had built for her. She was determined to make the school gymnastics team, but after taking a few steps, she wobbled and nearly slipped off. "Focus your eyes on that picture you put up," Mom said. While staring at the picture on the wall across the room, Mara slowly lifted her foot. But when she glanced back at her mother, she tilted to the left and then swayed to the right. She tried to regain her balance, but had to hop down to keep from toppling off the beam. She climbed back up. "I'm gonna get this," she said. "I just have to focus."After dinner that evening, Dad opened his Bible and handed it to Mara. "Why don't you read a few verses from Proverbs for us?" "Okay." Mara took the Bible and began to read. When she finished, she looked up. "Proverbs 4:25 sounds like good advice for gymnastics. I need to look straight ahead and keep my eyes from wandering. Every time I lose my focus, I lose my balance."Mom nodded. "I have trouble with that too.""You do?" Mara grinned. "Do you get up on the beam and practice when I'm not around?"Mom laughed. "No, but I have trouble in another area. As Christians, we need to keep our focus on Jesus so we don't get distracted by things in this world and lose our balance in life."Mara thought about that. "When I practice for gymnastics, I stare at that picture on the wall. But how do we focus on Jesus?""Good question," said Dad. "The passage you just read listed some ways to do that. Do you remember what it said we should do?""I know!" said Mara's little brother. "It said we should pay attention to what God says.""And keep it in our hearts and not let it out of our sight," added Mara.Dad nodded. "Right. That means putting our faith in Jesus and looking to His Word for guidance in our lives. It also means confessing our sins to Jesus and trusting Him for the power to obey Him and show His love to others. Focusing our lives on Him will keep us in perfect balance."–Nance E. Keyes How About You?Do you focus on Jesus as you go about each day? Do you remember all He's done for you and the love and forgiveness you have in Him? Do you trust Him to help you turn from sin and treat others with kindness? There are lots of things that need our daily attention, but don't let them draw you away from what's really important. Stay focused on Jesus and depend on Him to help you in every area of life.Today's Key Verse:Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. (NIV) (Proverbs 4:25)Today's Key Thought:Focus on Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 104:16-24Dad rowed the boat to the edge of some lily pads. It was the best place in the lake to catch fish. As Alex sat in the boat with his father, he watched his red and white bobber closely and waited for it to go down, signaling a fish had taken the bait. The calm water reflected the sky and trees along the shore. Birds were singing, and a frog hopped off a lily pad and splashed into the lake. The bobber wiggled as the ripples spread under it, but it didn't go down."The fish don't seem to be very hungry today," Dad said a while later. "But it sure is nice out here with the blue sky and water and the green grass and trees. It's all so peaceful."Alex turned to his dad. "We've been studying colors in school," he said. "Some scientists say that blue slows down the rate of the heart and green helps prevent eyestrain. That makes them restful colors.""Do you suppose that's why God made so much blue and green in nature?" Dad asked. "Just imagine what it would be like if the sky were bright red and all the leaves were black."Alex laughed. "We learned that red is supposed to make people more active. Some say it can even cause blood pressure to rise. I don't think it would make people feel very good to have a red sky all the time." He paused. "It sure looks pretty when the sun is setting though." "God is very wise," said Dad. "We see a great deal of His wisdom in nature--even in the colors He chose. Restful greens and blues most of the time, but pretty reds and oranges and yellows in evening sunsets and fall leaves.""Right. And lots of colors in flowers and berries and stuff." Alex looked at his fishing line. "You know what else scientists say? They say orange makes you hungry." He grinned at his dad. "I wish God had made these bobbers. Instead of making them red and white, He probably would have made them orange to make the fish more hungry. Then maybe they'd take the bait!" –Jane K. ChaseHow About You?Have you thought about how wonderful God's creation is? The world is full of things that show His great wisdom and power. There's something special and different about every season of the year, and every living creature has its own amazing features and abilities. Thank God for creating this beautiful world for you to enjoy--and for creating and loving you! Today's Key Verse:O LORD, how many are Your works! You made them all in wisdom. The earth is full of what You have made. (NLV) (Psalm 104:24)Today's Key Thought:Appreciate God's creation

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:8-23; Romans 6:23; 8:1 Lila normally loved her and Mom's monthly post-church café tradition. They sat at their usual window seat, but today Lila nudged ice cubes around with her straw in silence. Unable to bear the silence anymore, Mom asked what was wrong. Sighing, Lila responded, "Well, we learned about sin today at church, and I just don't understand. Why does sin have to ruin everything, and why does it cause pain and death and heartbreak?""Now that's a big question," Mom said, "but a good one. Let me take a moment and try to think of a good way to answer." She looked out the window until her eyes landed on something. "Do you see that wasp?" Lila grimaced at the yellow-and-black-winged terror. "Yes.""Well, sin is kind of like your allergic reactions to wasp stings," said Mom. "How did you feel when you got stung last week?"Lila rubbed the spot on her arm where a wasp had stung her. It was still slightly red and raised up. "I was dizzy. My whole arm swelled up, and I even had trouble breathing.""Right. Even though the wasp only stung one tiny part of your body, you still felt its horrible effects everywhere. Like your bee sting, it only took one mistake for everything to become cursed with sin. When Adam and Eve, the first two people, chose their own way instead of God's, their disobedience broke the perfect relationship they had with God and brought sin and its horrible effects into the world.""And that's why Jesus had to come," said Lila.Mom nodded. "Jesus's perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection from the grave saves us from the punishment of sin and heals our relationship with God. But because sin still exists in the world, we see its effects in our lives--like when wasps sting us and cause us pain. Yet we can be excited about how God will make everything perfect again one day." Lila glanced at the wasp outside the window. "Yeah, thank You, Jesus, for saving us…and thank You for allergy medicine!""Praise Jesus, indeed," Mom said with a smile.Lila grinned as their server set a plate of waffles down in front of her. "Praise Jesus for waffles too." –Zoe Brickner How About You?Have you ever wondered how sin could cause so much pain and suffering in the world? It's easy to forget how awful sin truly is and how it effects everything. But God, out of His unexplainable and never-ending love for us, sent Jesus to save us from sin, and He promises to one day make everything perfect again. When we trust in Him, we can look forward to the day when all pain and suffering will end. Today's Key Verse:For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV) (Romans 6:23)Today's Key Thought:God will make everything perfect

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26"We're here!" Joshua and Jonathan tumbled out of the car and ran ahead of their parents through a gate. Then they stopped and looked around, puzzled. "This is a cemetery!" Jonathan said. "I thought we were going to a battlefield!""Yeah," said Joshua. "The only soldier around here is that statue in the middle of the graves. My teacher says statues like that are memorials--things to help us remember something.""That's right," Dad said as they moved toward the statue. "Actually, this whole battlefield--which, by the way, extends beyond the cemetery--is a memorial."Mom nodded. "A memorial can have different forms," she said. "It can be a statue like the one we're looking at. Or it can be a holiday--like Memorial Day. Or even a service designed to remind us of someone or something.""Like how on Memorial Day we remember people who have died," Jonathan said."Yes," said Mom. "On that day, we especially remember those who died while serving their country--men and women like the soldiers buried in this cemetery."The boys began roaming around, reading the tombstones. "Hey, look!" Jonathan called. "This guy had the same name as me. 'Jonathan Wright. Born 1760. Died 1778.' That means he was only…uh…" Jonathan thought for a moment. "Eighteen years old when he died. He wasn't very old!""Do you boys know how old Jesus was when He died?" asked Dad."Thirty-three," said Joshua. He rolled a pebble on the gravel path under his shoe. "Why don't we have a memorial day for Jesus?" he asked."Oh, we do!" said Dad. "We remember His death on Good Friday, but we also have a day when we remember His resurrection. We call it…""Easter!" the boys said in unison."Yes," said Mom, "and we not only have special days to remember and celebrate what Jesus did for us. We also have a memorial service. Every time we have the Lord's Supper at church--or Communion as it's also called--we're reminding ourselves of Jesus's death and the sacrifice He made to free us from sin." –Barbara J. Westberg How About You?Have you thanked God for the sacrifices others have made for your freedom? How about the sacrifice Jesus made to free you from sin? Christians celebrate Good Friday, Easter, and Communion to remember that sacrifice. As you remember His death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection, and the fact that He will come again, give thanks for all Jesus has done for you.Today's Key Verse:[Jesus said], "This is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 11:24)Today's Key Thought:Remember Jesus's sacrifice

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-30"Mom, I'm home!" Alyssa called as she came in after school."Hi, honey!" said Mom. "How was your day? Did you learn anything interesting?""We sure did!" said Alyssa. "Mr. Eddleman, our science teacher, poured some really hot water into two glasses. One glass had a spoon in it, and the other one didn't. The one without the spoon cracked when the hot water was poured in, but the other glass was fine. Mr. Eddleman said the metal spoon helped absorb some of the heat and kept the glass from breaking.""Well, I hope he had the glass in the sink when it broke!" said Mom.Alyssa laughed. "He did." Then the smile faded from her face. "Everly wasn't in school today--her family is having all kinds of problems. Her brother was in a car accident last night and had to be rushed to the hospital.""Oh no, that's terrible!" said Mom."Yeah," said Alyssa. "And her dad still hasn't found a job, and her grandma is really sick--she might be dying. I don't see how they can deal with it all.""Well, they know Jesus," said Mom. "And that makes a big difference."Alyssa shrugged. "I feel like I would crack, like that glass in science class today.""That science experiment is a pretty good example of how knowing Jesus helps people," said Mom."It is?" asked Alyssa in surprise.Mom nodded. "Just like the hot water was poured into the glasses, we all have problems come into our lives. Sometimes it can be so overwhelming that we feel like we might crack under the pressure. But Jesus is like that spoon--He helps absorb the heat of our trials. His constant love and care keep our spirits from breaking. I really don't know how anyone can get through tough times without Him." She smiled at Alyssa. "Let's ask God to comfort and encourage Everly and her family and help them trust Him to bring them through it all."Alyssa nodded. "Okay," she said. "But can't we do something else too? Like take them a meal or something?""We sure can," said Mom. "Let's start fixing one right now." –Linda E. KnightHow About You?Are you surrounded by problems and difficulties--or do you know someone else who is? Sickness, a parent losing a job, problems at school, death of a loved one--all these and many other things can make you feel like you simply can't stand it anymore. When you feel like you're going to crack, remember that Jesus is with you. He cares and promises to give you the strength you need.Today's Key Verse:Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT) (1 Peter 5:7 )Today's Key Thought:Give anxieties to God