CBH Ministries - Keys for Kids

Speaking parts were being assigned for the church Christmas program, and Sabrina eagerly waited to hear her name called. She was sure she was the perfect one to take the part of Mary, the mother of Jesus. No one can memorize the lines as well as me, she thought. "Holly," Mrs. Roberts' voice interrupted Sabrina's thoughts, "I think you would be a good choice to play the part of Mary." Sabrina gasped. Holly! She stutters sometimes, thought Sabrina. What kind of a Mary would she be? Sabrina scowled. Well, that's just fine with me. Who wants to be in a dumb old play anyway? When Mrs. Roberts offered her another part, Sabrina made excuses and refused to be in the production at all. On the night of the program, Sabrina sat in the front row. She had come to laugh at Holly's mistakes. Mrs. Roberts will be embarrassed for making such a dumb choice! she thought in disgust as Holly walked up front. That drab outfit looks like it was made from a feed sack. What a peasant! Mom would have mead me a better costume than that. She snickered to herself and rolled her eyes. Now I'm glad Iwasn't chosen for the part. Hesitantly, Holly began reciting from Luke, chapter one: "My soul magnifies the Lord . . . for He . . ." She paused briefly. "He has regarded the lowly estate . . . of His maid servant." Lowly estate, thought Sabrina. That sure fits Holly! Suddenly another thought struck her, causing her mouth to drop open in surprise. It fit Mary, too! Sabrina tried to push that thought away, but she couldn't. More unwanted thoughts persisted as she watched the rest of the Christmas performance. Mary was willing to obey God and carry out His commands, and Holly's like that, too, Sabrina realized. She's a good Mary! In her heart, Sabrina knew that if she had gotten the part, she would be saying Mary's words only to make herself look good and be the star performer. Feeling ashamed, she prayed silently, asking God to forgive her proud spirit and help her be humble like Mary--and Holly. How About You? Do you think you're better than some people because you're more talented than they are? Do you think you should be the one chosen to bring special music, answer the questions, or lead in prayer because you do it best? Jesus wants humble servants who are willing to do their best so that He will be honored. Does that description fit you? Today's Key Verse: Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. (Matthew 20:27) Today's Key Thought: Be a humble servant

Brent sat on the sandy beach, watching the ocean waves come in and go out again. He watched the shore birds looking for food on the damp sand. They seemed to sense when the big waves were about to hit, and seconds before the water reached them, they backed farther up the beach or flew away. Then they returned when the water receded, once more finding food. Over and over they repeated the action. "Those are smart birds," Brent told his dad, who had come to join him. "When the waves go out, they come for food, but when the waves come in, they leave before the water can get them all wet." He laughed and pointed. "Did you see that one? He waited too long and got caught." Dad nodded. "Do those birds remind you of anybody?" "Should they?" Brent gave him a questioning look. "Who?" Dad smiled. "Actually, I was thinking of myself," he said. "Those birds usually get away from the waves, and I need to stay away from something, too. I need to stay away from sin. It's all around, and like the bird that got caught by a wave, I sometimes allow sin to catch me." "I do, too, I guess," admitted Brent, "but . . . sometimes I can't help it if I get involved in things that aren't good. I don't think it's always my fault." "I know what you're saying--I've been there, too," answered Dad. "But you know what? We really have no excuse when we sin." "But, Dad," protested Brent, "some of the guys I know are really nice--friendly and helpful and just . . . just good friends. But once in a while they'll do something they really shouldn't, like maybe cheat a little or tell a little lie. It's kinda easy to just go along with them. Like you said, sin is all around us." "Yes, and God knows we may have difficulties because we have to live in the world," said Dad. "But Jesus reminds us that we are not of the world--we don't belong to it. He even prayed for us, and He also promises that there will always be a 'way of escape' when we're tempted." Thoughtfully, Brent nodded. "The sandpipers fly off or back away from the water," he said, "and I guess we need to back away from sin and escape it." How About You? Who are you closer to--the world or the Lord? Be careful! God warns that friendship with the world is a dangerous thing! Stay far from worldly things--from things Satan can use to trap you and involve you in sin. Stay away from places where you're tempted to do wrong. Back away from friendships with kids who want you to join them in cheating, stealing, or disobeying. Each day, depend on God for strength to resist evil when temptation comes your way. Today's Key Verse: Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4) Today's Key Thought: Stay far away from sin

THWACK! The baseball sailed over the outfield fence! "Home run . . . home run . . . home run," the crowd chanted as Jacob trotted around the bases, feeling like a real winner. The scoreboard flashed the winning run, and Jacob's teammates bounded onto the field. After the game, Jacob and his dad stopped to celebrate with double fudge ice cream cones. As they went into the ice cream shop, Jacob's friend Lance was coming out. Lance muttered a greeting, but didn't stop to talk. "You know, Dad," said Jacob, "ever since I invited Lance to church and Sunday school and tried to talk to him about God, he's been avoiding me." Jacob sighed. "I think I might as well give up. I never know the right things to say, anyway." Dad rubbed his chin as he thought about Jacob's problem. "Do you remember how you felt when you first started to play baseball?" asked Dad. "Yeah." Jacob grinned. "I was pretty bad, wasn't I? Especially at batting. I didn't think I'd ever learn to hit the ball." "And what did you do to improve?" Dad asked. "Well . . ." Jacob thought for a minute. "I got glasses," he said, "so now I can see the ball." Dad laughed. "That probably helped a lot," he agreed. "Anything else?" "I practiced," said Jacob, "and I practiced and I practiced! I finally started to do better." Dad nodded. "A lot of things take time and practice," he said. "Witnessing, for example." "You mean like talking to Lance," Jacob said. "But . . . how do you practice witnessing?" "If it's something you're planning, you can think about what you want to say. It may help to actually say it aloud ahead of time," suggested Dad. "When unexpected opportunities come up, trust God to give you the right words and speak up for Him. Over time, you'll become more comfortable with it, so keep practicing. Remember that God says His Word will accomplish its purpose." "So I should try talking to Lance again?" asked Jacob. "Sure." Dad nodded. "Why not?" he said. "You didn't give up when you missed a baseball. Why give up when Lance turns you down? Pray about it, and try again." How About You? Have your friends seemed uninterested in hearing about Jesus?When they don't respond in the way you hope, do you feel like you probably don't say the right thing anyway so you might as well give up? Remember that many things take practice and time. Also remember the promises God gives in the Bible. He says His Word will accomplish His purposes. Trust Him, and continue to witness to your friends. Today's Key Verse: My word . . . shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) Today's Key Thought: Keep witnessing for Jesus

Tessa put her baby doll in its cradle. "Night-night," she said, covering the doll with a blanket. She set her Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls on a rocking chair and pushed them gently back and forth. "One, two, three dolls," she counted. "That's how many old I am--one, two, three." Darby, Tessa's new puppy, bounded into the room. Quick as a wink, he snatched Raggedy Andy in his mouth and ran around the room. "No! No!" yelled Tessa, and she ran after Darby. "Bad puppy! Give back my dolly!" She caught hold of one of Raggedy Andy's arms, but Darby thought it was a game. He held on tight and shook his head back and forth. He pulled one way, and Tessa pulled the other way. There was a loud ripping sound. Andy's arm came nearly off and some stuffing fell out. Tessa got the doll away from Darby just as her mother came to the door to see what was going on. "Mommy," said Tessa, "Darby's naughty. He hurt Raggedy Andy!" She pointed to the doll's torn arm. "May I have a Band-Aid for him?" Mom looked at the doll. "A Band-Aid won't make Andy's arm better," she said. "I'll have to sew it back on." "A Band-Aid made my finger better," said Tessa. Mom shook her head. "The Band-Aid didn't really heal your sore finger," she said. "It just kept it nice and clean." "Then how did it get better?" asked Tessa. "God made it better," said Mom. "He created us in a wonderful way so that when our healthy bodies get hurt, they're usually able to fight the germs and infections." Mom got a long piece of thread and put it through the eye of a sharp sewing needle. "We have Band-Aids and doctors to help us, but it's God who does the healing." Tessa watched as her mother began to push the needle back and forth through Raggedy Andy's arm and body. "I'm glad you can make Raggedy Andy better," said Tessa, "but I'm even gladder that God made me better and you didn't have to sew me!" How About You? Have you thanked God for giving you a wonderful body that can heal? Thank Him for the doctors and medicine He often uses to help you when you're not well, but remember that it's God Who has the power to heal. Trust Him to heal you if that's what's best for you. If you don't see healing taking place, continue to trust Him anyway, remembering that He loves you and knows what's best. Be sure to thank Him for His care for you. Today's Key Verse: Bless the Lord . . . who heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:2-3) Today's Key Thought: God heals

Kara and Adam waited patiently while Mom unlocked the front door of their home. After working at the department store all day, Mom walked wearily into the living room. "I sure am tired tonight, and my feet hurt," she said. "I wish I didn't have to work on Saturdays. But did you kids have a good day at Gina's house?" "It was fine," said Kara. "Did you hear from Dad today?" Their father was away on a trip to another city, hoping to find work. "Yes. He had a busy day, too,"said Mom, "but no promise of a job yet." She sighed. "Well, I better get supper started. But . . ." She sniffed the air. "Where is that good smell coming from?" asked Adam. They all went to the kitchen and Mom immediately saw that the table was set--and the breakfast dishes had been washed. She noticed that the oven was turned on. She peeked in, and the delightful smell of potatoes and ham became stronger. "Who could have done this?" Mom wondered. "Look! Here's a card!" exclaimed Kara. "It just says, 'I did it in the name of the Lord.' It isn't signed." "Maybe Mrs. James next door did it," said Adam. "No." Kara shook her head. "How could she get in? It must have been Gina, our sitter. She has a key." "But she was with us all day," argued Adam. "Then who in the world could it have been?" Kara asked. "We have to figure it out so we can thank her." "That was my first thought, too," said Mom, "but then I realized that whoever did all this for us doesn't want us to know who he or she is. It wasn't done for praise--or even to receive thanks. It was done as a service to God, and He'll give the reward. I, for one, am very grateful." "Well, I'd want at least a thank you if I did all that work," insisted Kara. "Me, too," agreed Adam. Mom smiled. "It's nice to be appreciated for what we do, but which is really better--a reward of thanks from people or a reward from God?" "Both would be nice," said Adam with a grin, "but I know you're right. A reward from God is more important." How About You? Can you do a kind deed for someone? Would you be willing to let God receive all the thanks and praise, and wait until you reach heaven to get your reward? Acts of Christian service done in secret often bring people's attention to God and His love and care. Why not be one of God's secret servants? Don't wait--try to think of a secret service project you can do today. Today's Key Verse: Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:4) Today's Key Thought: God rewards service

Carrie sighed. She was supposed to wash the breakfast dishes while her mother went to get groceries. I sure wish the dishwasher wasn't broke, thought Carrie. Oh, well. It won't take long to do those few dishes. I'll do them a little later. So she sat down to enjoy a new book before starting her work. It was almost noon before she suddenly remembered the unwashed dishes. Carrie hurried to the kitchen and tackled the job. She quickly ran the dishcloth across a plate. But they'd had eggs for breakfast, and the egg yolk had dried on the dishes. It took more time to get them clean than she thought it would. When Mom came home, Carrie had still not finished her work. "I forgot all about the dishes," she confessed. "I got involved in my book and didn't realize how fast the time was going. Even then, I thought I'd be done before you got here, but the plates and forks took so long to wash." "That's because egg yolk got dried on them," said Mom as she began to put groceries away. "You should have done your work first and read later." "I can see that," agreed Carrie with a sigh. "If I had done the dishes right away, the egg yolk would have washed right off--but once it set, it was much harder to remove." "Oh, well," said Mom after a few minutes, "let's look at the bright side." "And what is that?" asked Carrie. "You've given me an illustration I can use in my Sunday school class,"Mom replied. "I've been telling my girls that it's important to trust in Jesus right now. The dried egg on those dishes demonstrates that delaying often makes things more difficult." Carrie was thoughtful. "Then . . . are you saying that if you don't accept Jesus right away, it becomes harder to do that?" Mom nodded. "It seems so," she replied. "People become set in their ways as they grow older, and then they often find it more difficult to simply accept Christ." "So . . . that's one reason it's dangerous for the girls in your class to wait," suggested Carrie, "because they could be the ones who get too set in their ways and never accept Him." "You've got it," agreed Mom. "Pray with me that they will get the point, too." How About You? Have you put off giving your heart and life to Jesus? As a rule, the older people get, the harder it is for them to confess that they are sinners. You will probably be no exception to that rule. The Lord Jesus is waiting for you to come now. Confess your sin and believe in Him. Won't you do that today? (See the ABCs of Salvation at the end of this book.) Today's Key Verse: Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth. (Ecclesiastes 12:1) Today's Key Thought: Don't put off salvation

"Where did Mom go?" asked Kaitlyn. She looked all around as she and Caleb made their way past the booths at the craft fair. "She stopped at a booth back there," Caleb answered, "but she said we could to on. She'll find us--or we'll find her. Don't worry." The two continued down the midway of the fairgrounds. "Mm-m-m. Do you smell what I smell?" Caleb asked after they walked a short distance. "Smells like a bakery," Kaitlyn replied, "and there it is!" They walked up to the booth where yummy-looking baked goods were displayed. "Look at all those doughnuts, Kaitlyn," said Caleb. "And all those doughnut holes. I sure would like to have one!" "We shouldn't have spent our money so fast, but it's all gone, remember?" Kaitlyn reminded her brother. "Yeah, but the clerk's busy with those people over there," said Caleb. "We could just help ourselves. They won't miss one or two little doughnut holes." "Caleb! Don't you dare take any!" warned Kaitlyn. "You know that would be stealing." "But who would know?" teased Caleb. "I'm sure they didn't count every single doughnut hole. They'd never miss 'em." "Maybe not," Kaitlyn admitted, "but God knows how many there are. After all, the Bible says even the hairs of our head are numbered--and doughnut holes are bigger than hairs!" "Oh, so you were listening to the lesson at Bible club last week," said Caleb with a grin. "I can tell." Kaitlyn looked at her brother. "Caleb! You never intended to take any at all!" she exclaimed. "You were just teasing, weren't you? It would have served you right if I had reached out and taken a couple. Then what would you have done?" Caleb laughed. "I wouldn't have let you. But let's go find Mom," he said. "Maybe she'll let us have a little more money so we can buy a doughnut hole or two." How About You? Are you tempted to steal little things because you think no one will know? Or because they seem too small to really matter to anybody? God doesn't say, "Don't steal big things." He says, "Don't steal." Whether you steal little doughnut holes or big things that are obviously important, God knows what's happening. He knows what you do. All stealing is wrong. It's sin, and it matters to Him. Obey God's command. Don't steal! Today's Key Verse: You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. (Leviticus 19:11) Today's Key Thought: Don't steal

Cammie moved a flower to a new location in the yard and carefully packed dirt around it. She remembered how careful she and Mom had been when they had transplanted flowers earlier. Even so, not all of those had lived, so now they were trying again. "I hope these flowers do well this time," said Mom. "Let's make sure they get water and plant food when they need it." Cammie nodded. "Ricky says he likes taking care of them, but if he's going to weed these, I hope he'll be more careful," she remarked glumly. "When we transplanted flowers before, it sure would have helped a lot if Ricky hadn't pulled some of them up, right along with the weeds." "It wasn't just Ricky," said Mom. "Some of the flowers would have died, anyway. Some plants are harder than others to transplant successfully." "I guess so," said Cammie as she finished with the last plant. Cammie and her mother put their gardening tools away and then sat down on the porch steps. "They really are doing well, considering that they've had so many problems," murmured Mom. Cammie lifted an eyebrow. "These flowers?" she asked in surprise. "No!" Mom laughed. "I mean our foster kids--Ricky and Travis." The two brothers had recently joined Cammie's family. "They actually are a lot like these transplants," Mom said thoughtfully. "It's hard for kids to be moved out of their own home and into someone else's. They need a lot of special care. You are being a big help, Cammie. We planned for that and talked about it before they came to live with us, remember?" Cammie nodded. "I remember, but sometimes I still don't know what to do for them." "Just continue to let them know we love and welcome them," Mom replied. "Remember that God is the only one who can make transplants bloom--whether they're kids or flowers! So most of all, be sure to pray every day for your foster brothers." "Okay," agreed Cammie. "I will." How About You? Does someone you know seem to have a lot of problems? Do you wish you could help? You can! You can offer friendship and patience to family, friends, and classmates. Above all, you can pray for them. Maybe you have problems of your own. Pray about them, too, and ask others to pray for you. God acts when His children pray. Learn today's Key Verse, and remember that God, who answered the prayers for Peter, also listens and helps when you pray. Today's Key Verse: Constant prayer was offered to God for him (Peter). (Acts 12:5) Today's Key Thought: Pray for others and yourself

"Liar!" Tabitha clenched the receiver as she yelled into the phone. "You're a rotten liar! I hate you!" Tabitha slammed down the receiver. "Tabitha! I don't like what I heard just now!" exclaimed Mom. "What was that all about?" "Janelle told me she wouldn't enter our art contest this year, but she did," Tabitha answered angrily. "I'd have won if she hadn't entered." "Oh, honey, Janelle has as much right to enter the contest as you do," Mom reminded her. "I'm sure she enjoys winning, too." "Yes, but she knows how much I wanted to win," wailed Tabitha, "and she said she wouldn't enter, but she did." "That doesn't excuse the way you talked to her," said Mom. "You draw very beautifully, Tabitha, but calling people names is not beautiful." "I don't care." Tabitha headed for her room. "She is a liar," she called back. While Mom prepared supper that evening, Tabitha's little sister Lori picked up a tube of biscuits. She banged it on the table, and suddenly . . . POP! A doughy mess oozed through the split in the tube. Lori's pudgy little fingers tried to push it back in. Tabitha, who had just come in, laughed. "You can't put dough back in a tube after it comes out," she said. "Here. I'll take care of that." Their brother Don wandered in from the family room. "I saw Janelle's sister Malia this afternoon," he told Tabitha. "She says you're mad at Janelle--but that you shouldn't be. Malia told me she's the one who entered that picture in the contest. Janelle didn't even know about it and was shocked when her name was announced as the winner." Tabitha bit her lip. Oh, no! she thought. Janelle said she didn't know how come her picture was entered! I wish I had believed her and hadn't said those mean things. Tabitha felt awful. "I-I-I'll apologize," she stammered. "You need to do that," agreed Mom, "but you know, like the biscuit dough that oozed out of the tube, words can't ever really be put back. Perhaps that's why God warns us to be careful how we use our tongues." She sighed. "I hope your hateful words haven't ruined your friendship." How About You? Have unkind words or names popped out of your mouth? Have you been sorry about something said in anger, or perhaps simply said without thinking how it might hurt someone else? Have you wanted to take the words back? You can't do that . . . but you can and should apologize if you've said unkind things. Be sure to tell God you're sorry, too. Then follow His advice. Guard your mouth and tongue. Today's Key Verse: Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. (Proverbs 21:23) Today's Key Thought: Guard your mouth and tongue

"What story will you read for devotions tonight, Dad?" Jared asked. "It's called 'Sheep and Shepherds.' It's about a boy named Joseph who was visiting his grandparents in Montana," Dad replied. "Ready to listen?" Jared and his sister Cyndie nodded, and Dad began reading the story. "'Get up, Joseph!" called Grandpa. 'The sheep are coming!' "Joseph instantly jumped out of bed, pulled on his jeans and shirt, and grabbed his camera. His grandparents had told him how shepherds lead their sheep up into the mountains. 'It's quite a sight to see and hear,' Grandpa had said, so Joseph was eager to get some pictures. "As soon as Joseph opened the front door, he heard the sheep. 'It's a sheep choir,' he said with a grin. 'Their ba-a-as are all different.' He saw that a shepherd walked in front of the sheep, and two sheepdogs ran alongside. Joseph quickly ran out into the path and aimed his camera at the coming sheep. "'Out of the way!' The shepherd called, motioning for Joseph to move away. "'Joseph, come back!' exclaimed Grandpa. 'If a stranger gets in front of the sheep, they can lose their focus on the shepherd and scatter.' "So Joseph hurried back to the house and snapped several pictures from the porch.'That was cool,' he exclaimed after the last sheep was out of sight. 'I guess sheep don't concentrate too good, do they?' Joseph frowned. "The Bible compares Christians to sheep, doesn't it? Does that mean we don't concentrate too good, either?" "Grandpa smiled. 'Sometimes we don't,' he said. 'Jesus is our Shepherd. He cares for and provides for us, and He's the one we should always follow. So when things distract you from following the Lord, let the sheep remind you to concentrate on Jesus.'" Dad closed the book. "I didn't know animals could concentrate on things," said Cyndie. "Do sheep really concentrate?" Dad laughed. "I don't know," he said, "but we need to. We must not allow anyone or anything to cause us to lose our focus on Jesus." Jared nodded. "Okay," he said. "We'll do our best to concentrate on our Shepherd, won't we, Cyndie?" Smiling, she agreed. How About You? What do you concentrate on--what do you think about? Don't let friends talk you into doing things that are wrong. Don't allow yourself to read books and magazines or watch shows that influence you to accept wrong lifestyles. Instead, keep your focus on Jesus, your Shepherd. Concentrate on Him and what pleases Him. Follow Him by obeying His Word--the Bible. He's the one who supplies all you need. Today's Key Verse: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27) Today's Key Thought: Keep focused on Jesus

"Bud!" exclaimed Dad when he got home from work. "How did you get that swollen lip and black eye? Have you been in a fight?" "We-e-l-l, yeah," admitted Bud. Dad frowned. "What in the world happened?" he asked. "Tyler started it," said Bud quickly, "and besides, the Bible tells us to fight. I know there are verses about putting on armor, and I read one the other day about fighting a good fight of faith. This was a real good one!" Dad sighed. "You know those Bible verses aren't referring to fistfights. They're talking about things like defending your faith--about boldly witnessing for Jesus." "That's what I was doing!" said Bud. "See . . . Tyler heard me say I'm a Christian. He told me--right in front of all the kids--that Christians are sissies. I told him that's a lie and to take a swing at me if he dared. The next thing I knew, he hit me! But I won, Dad. Tyler's got two black eyes and a bloody nose!" Bud grinned. "I sat on his back and twisted his arm and made him apologize for saying Christians are sissies. Then I asked him if he wanted to be a Christian, too, and I twisted his arm some more till he said he did." "Oh-h-h," moaned Dad. "Why did you do that, Bud? I'm sure you know better!" "Well, I was fighting for Jesus," insisted Bud. "Like I said--I even got Tyler to say he wanted to be a Christian." "You know very well that a person has to decide of his own free will that he wants to be saved," Dad said sternly. "You can never force anyone to be a Christian. God's Word says, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.' The Spirit of Jesus is meekness, love, and kindness. Christians are to be like Him." "But, Dad! Tyler was making fun of me--and of all Christians," protested Bud. "Lots of people made fun of Jesus, too," Dad replied, "but He didn't punch those who laughed at Him or even argue with them. Instead, He died for them--and for us. Is it asking so much that we take a little teasing for Him?" "N-no," murmured Bud. "I . . . I get it. I'll apologize." "That's a good idea," said Dad. "Apologize and be a friend to Tyler. Then maybe you really can win him to the Lord." How About You? Are you fighting battles for Jesus with the right weapons? Today's Scripture describes what you need to use as you stand up for Jesus. It does not mention using fists or even arguments as weapons. Instead, it mentions truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. Use those things to win others--even your enemies--to Jesus. Today's Key Verse: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6) Today's Key Thought: Show God's love as you witness

"We're hungry!" announced Ashley after she and her cousin Madison helped their grandmother get her house ready for the family Christmas party. "Then I guess you'd like something to eat," said Grandma. "What sounds good?" "Pizza!" the girls sang out together. Grandma smiled. "Don't know why I asked," she said. "I just read that pizza is America's favorite meal. Okay, pizza it is--we'll make it." They got out the ingredients to make the dough. When it was ready, both girls helped spread the pizza sauce. Madison tasted it as Grandma placed an assortment of cheeses and pizza toppings on the counter. "This sauce isn't great by itself," Madison said. "Neither is the crust." Ashley laughed. "No, but it's good compared to onions," she said. "They're okay on pizza, but I don't like them raw . . . or green peppers, either." The girls chatted as they continued preparing the pizza. "The kids next door make fun of me because I go to Sunday school and church," complained Madison. She popped a slice of pepperoni into her mouth. "Oh, yummy! Pepperoni is good by itself!" she exclaimed. "So is this cheese," said Ashley. She sighed. "At least the kids bugging you live next door," she told Madison. "The ones bugging me live in my own house! My little brother and sister always come barging into my room." Madison grinned. "Yeah, but they're so cute! And you always tell me how much fun you have playing hide and seek with them! You've got it really good. Hasn't she, Grandma?" "We all have it good," Grandma replied. "I was just thinking that life is a lot like pizza. We like some of the ingredients--or experiences--and not others. But God uses all of them to help us become more like Jesus. Ridicule by friends can help us stand stronger for our beliefs. Pesky brothers or sisters can teach us patience.God uses all of life's ingredients for our good." Madison nodded. "Just like all the pizza ingredients--even the onions--taste good when they're baked together," she said with a grin. How About You? How does life taste to you? Are you really pleased about something that's happening in your life right now?Are you unhappy about something else? When you don't like the taste of one of life's ingredients, think of pizza and remember that God lovingly watches over you in everything you go through. Trust Him to work all your experiences together for your good. Today's Key Verse: We know that all things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28) Today's Key Thought: God works all things for good

"Hey, Mom, I'm home," Nate called as he bounded through the back door. Mom greeted him with a smile. "How did school go today?" "Okay, I guess," Nate replied. "We had a spell-down, though, and I goofed on the word 'martyr.' I spelled it m-a-r-t-e-r." "Do you know what a martyr is?" Mom asked. "Sure." Nate nodded. "It's anyone who gives his life for what he believes. We learned in Sunday school that the first Christian martyr was Stephen--at least the first one we know about. He was stoned for preaching the Gospel." Nate shrugged. "We don't have any Christian martyrs today, though, do we?" "Indeed we do!" exclaimed Mom. "I read somewhere that there have been more Christian martyrs in the last century than in all the centuries before! In some countries, godless leaders and governments don't allow Christians to openly teach and practice their faith. It's not uncommon for believers in those places to be arrested--or killed. That's happening even today." "Really? Have you known any martyrs?" Nate asked as he pulled out a chair and sat down. "Not personally, but several years ago, five brave men and their families tried to take the Gospel to an uncivilized tribe in the jungles of Ecuador," replied Mom. "One of those men--whose name, by the way, was Nate--came from the church I grew up in." "What happened to him?" Nate asked. "When the men attempted to make a friendly contact with the natives, he was killed," Mom replied. "In fact, all five of those men were." "How terrible!" Nate frowned. "It seems like such a waste. Why wouldn't God have kept that from happening?" "I can't say for sure, but perhaps because of what happened after the men were martyred," Mom replied. "Hundreds of young people who heard about it dedicated their lives for Christian service. Several years later, other missionaries were able to go to that tribe. Some of the same men who led the attack were won to Christ." Mom smiled at Nate. "God's plan wasn't the same as that of those five men, but He didn't allow their lives to be wasted. He never does." Nate nodded thoughtfully and left to put his books in his room. How About You? Would you be willing to die for Christ if that is His plan for you? From man's point of view, such loss of life may seem to be a waste, but God has a purpose in all He allows. He promises to honor those who are faithful to Him. Jim Elliot, one of the five missionaries mentioned in the story above, once said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Will you trust God and give yourself wholly to Him, willing to live for Him or to die for Him? Today's Key Verse: Whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (Luke 9:24) Today's Key Thought: Be willing to live or to die for Christ

Shane sat up in bed, startled. Something woke me up. What was it? he wondered. The floors creaked downstairs, and Shane thought he heard footsteps. Is somebody down there? Or am I just imagining things? Feeling scared, Shane tiptoed across the hall and tapped lightly on his parents' bedroom door. When he heard his dad tell him to come in, he opened the door and whispered, "Dad, I think there's a prowler downstairs." Mom and Dad both sat up, and they heard the sounds, too. "Stay here," Dad cautioned, "and I'll investigate." He quietly made his way down the stairs. Shane and Mom heard what sounded like a door closing and then soft voices. A moment later, Dad came back up the stairs, gently leading Shane's older brother Wyatt down the hall. "There's your prowler," Dad said after quietly guiding Wyatt back to his own bedroom. "You know your brother walks in his sleep sometimes, and that's what happened. Go back to bed now. We'll talk about it tomorrow." The next morning, Shane grinned at Wyatt. "Dad said you got out of bed and made a ham sandwich and put it in your lunch box," said Shane. Wyatt laughed. He could hardly believe what had happened. "I guess I was getting ready for school," he said, "but I don't know why I'd do that! I like school, but not enough to go there in the middle of the night!" The following Sunday, Shane nudged his brother as they headed home from church. "Hey, Wyatt! Know what? Today we talked about you in Sunday school," said Shane. "I told my class about you walking in your sleep." Wyatt grinned. "Of course you did. I'm famous now," he declared. "Mr. Hall used it for an illustration," Shane reported. "He said you went through the motions of living your daily life, and people sometimes go through the motions of living the Christian life. You know--going to church and doing other things Christians do. Mr. Hall says they need to wake up and enjoy real life by trusting in Jesus and stop just going through the motions." "Well, I may walk in my sleep, but I have real life, too," Wyatt said positively. "I wake up and enjoy real life here on earth, and Ialso have real life for eternity." How About You? Do you go through the motions of living like a Christian? Do you read your Bible, attend church, pray, and do your best to be a good kid, yet have never trusted Jesus as your own personal Savior? Going through the motions doesn't save you from your sins and give you eternal life, but accepting Jesus does. Will you do that today? (See the ABCs of Salvation at the end of this book.) Today's Key Verse: As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12) Today's Key Thought: Real life is in Jesus

"Look over there, Elliott--under those tall weeds!" said Becca as she and her brother explored the area behind the barn at their new home in the country. She pointed to some plants. "Are those tomatoes?" she asked. "Looks like tomato plants to me," replied Elliott. "Let's pull up the weeds around them so we can see the plants better." "Good idea," agreed Becca. So they began pulling weeds that had grown more than waist high. To their surprise and delight, they found other vegetables as well as the tomatoes they had first seen. "Wow! Let's show Mom and Dad!" Becca urged. So the kids ran to the house and persuaded their parents to go with them and see what they had discovered. "How about that!" exclaimed Mom when she saw the hidden plants. "Somebody must have planted a garden here earlier this year, but it obviously hasn't been cared for in a long time. I'm surprised the plants were able to survive in the middle of all these weeds. I had no idea they were there. I couldn't see anything but weeds." "How would you kids like to be in charge of this garden?" Dad asked. "It will take a lot of work. You'll need to water the vegetables--and the weeds will come back if you let them." "We won't let them!" declared Elliott, and Becca nodded eagerly. "We'll hoe and pull weeds and water our garden. You'll see!" Dad smiled. "Good!" He looked pleased. "You've got the job." That evening during family devotions, Dad grinned at the kids. "You know something? Our hearts are a little like gardens," he said. "I came across a verse I think you'll like. It's Isaiah 58:11." Dad read it aloud (see today's Scripture). "Without Jesus in our lives, it's as though our hearts are full of weeds of sin. When we trust Jesus as Savior, He forgives our sins and gives us the Holy Spirit. As we yield to Him, He keeps the weeds of sin from taking over again in the gardens of our hearts." "Then we'll be like the watered garden mentioned in that verse you read," Elliott observed. "I want to be like that--not like the weedy garden we found." "Me, too," agreed Becca. "No weeds allowed!" How About You? What's in the garden of your heart? Are there weeds of sin--things like lies, cheating, disobedience, or selfishness? Don't allow those things to grow and cover up the characteristics God wants you to have. Study God's Word, the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to live for the Lord. Confess sin immediately and with God's help, turn from it. Then your life will be like a watered garden rather than an unattractive, weedy one. Today's Key Verse: You shall be like a watered garden. (Isaiah 58:11) Today's Key Thought: Don't allow sin to grow