Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:7-9 Tinkling bells chimed invitingly as the ice cream truck turned onto Cali's street. Ice cream was one of her favorite treats, but it was just before lunchtime, so she was sure her grandma wouldn't let her have anything now. But I can still have a little fun with the ice cream truck driver, Cali thought. She yelled loudly to get his attention as he drove by, then ducked behind a bush. The truck stopped, and the man got out expecting to sell something, but no one came to buy. Cali snickered to herself when she saw his puzzled face. "That was unkind," said Grandma, and Cali jumped in surprise. She had no idea Grandma was watching and had come out. "It was wrong for you to stop that man and make him think he was going to earn some money. Now come with me. You need to apologize." Grandma led the way to the truck, which had not yet moved on. Under Grandma's watchful eye, Cali told the driver she was sorry for playing a trick on him. Then Grandma bought an ice cream bar for each of them. Cali felt ashamed when her grandmother held out the treat. "No thanks, Grandma." "But I bought this for you," said Grandma. Cali looked at the ground. "I don't deserve it after what I did." "That's true," said Grandma. "But I want you to have it anyway--it's a gift from me." She continued to hold out the ice cream bar. Reluctantly, Cali took the treat and began to eat. It tasted so good and was very refreshing on such a hot day! "Thank you, Grandma," she said. Grandma smiled. "You're glad you accepted my gift, aren't you?" Cali nodded. "I am, even though I don't deserve it." "We don't deserve God's love and forgiveness either," said Grandma. "But He offers it to us as a gift--a gift we need to accept. Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin so we could be forgiven and have eternal life with Him. But we can't enjoy that gift until we accept it." "Just like this ice cream," said Cali. "I've accepted God's gift, Grandma. I know Jesus has saved me and given me eternal life." –Nance E. Keyes How About You? Do you trust Jesus as your Savior? Have you accepted His gift of eternal life? God offers it to everyone, but it has to be received to be enjoyed. You don't deserve it--no one does. But don't push it away! Jesus loves you so much that He sacrificed His life to pay for your sins. Accept the undeserved but wonderful gift He offers. (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: The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) (Romans 6:23) Today's Key Thought: Accept God's gift

Bible Reading: James 3:1-10 "Hey, Dad, do you know what Elise told me?" asked Tenley. Dad put down the book he was reading and smiled. Tenley loved to tell him everything that was going on with her friends at school--even when they were on vacation. "Elise says Aria's dad was arrested and taken to the police station," Tenley went on. "He was driving under the influence--that means he was drunk--and he crashed into another car. Elise says he gets drunk every weekend, and he--" "Hold on a minute, Tenley," said Dad. "How do you know what Elise said is true? And even if it is, should you repeat it? You could hurt Aria's father badly by saying things like that about him. And I'm sure it would hurt Aria to know you're telling people about her family's problems." "Well, I--" Tenley suddenly stood up and pointed to a nearby campsite. "Dad, look! Over there! Those leaves are on fire!" Dad and Tenley raced over to the campsite, grabbing a couple of wet towels from the line as they went. A hot log had rolled out of an unattended fire, and dry leaves had started to burn. Tenley and Dad stomped and beat the spreading flames until they had the fire out. "That was a close one!" Dad said. "Yeah," said Tenley. "I wonder where the people are who started the fire." As they walked back to their own campsite, Dad said, "You know, Tenley, Mom and I love that you like to share ideas and experiences. But when you share information that's harmful, it's called gossip. God says the tongue is like a fire, and you saw how fast fire can get out of control. That can happen with words too. What you say can be exaggerated, and it can spread rapidly and hurt others--like Aria and her dad." Tenley nodded. "I'm sorry, Dad. I'll be more careful about repeating things I hear." "Good," said Dad. "The best way to do that is to trust God to help you speak about others in a loving way. God loves us all so much that He sent Jesus to die for us so we could have eternal life with Him. Trust Him to help you show His love through your words." –Judith K. Boogaart How About You? Do you speak words that are on fire? Could they get out of control and spread rapidly, causing people to get hurt? If you hear gossip that could burn someone, put it out! Don't repeat information that may not be true or could embarrass or hurt others. Trust God to help you use the words you say to show love and support for others--even when they're not there to hear them. Today's Key Verse: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. (NIV) (Ephesians 4:29) Today's Key Thought: Don't repeat hurtful words

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:9-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 "Turn on the radio, Dad," Kaelyn called from the back of the minivan. "Yeah," said Brenner. "It's boring back here. We've been driving forever!" Dad glanced at the twins in the rearview mirror. "Sorry, guys," he said. "I hate to ruin your fun, but I don't like your music." Brenner snorted. "What fun? We're on a three-hour car trip in the middle of nowhere!" "Hey, Brenner," whispered Kaelyn. "We can be our own radio." Brenner nodded, and Kaelyn launched into the latest hit. "Hey, you, standing under the lights; come on, we can dance all night…" Brenner joined in the chorus. "Ooooh, it's a party…" "No thanks," said Dad. "Okay, how about this?" said Kaelyn. "Money, honey, it's the thing…" "Fancy cars and diamond rings," sang Brenner. "Do you two have all the popular songs memorized?" asked Dad. "Yeah," said Kaelyn. "They run through my head practically all day long." Dad looked back at the twins. "That reminds me of something I read in the Bible this morning. The apostle Paul tells Timothy how important it is for children to study and memorize the Word of God so you understand all that Jesus has done for you and deepen your faith in Him." "We study the Bible in church," said Brenner. "And during family devotions," added Kaelyn. Dad grinned. "Okay, smarty-pants, how about a quiz? Finish this verse: 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and…'" Kaelyn shot a look at Brenner, and Brenner shrugged. "Try this one," said Dad. "'God is our refuge and strength, a…'" Brenner grimaced. "It looks like we've got some work to do." "Reading the Bible and memorizing verses is a great way to keep God's truth and promises in our thoughts and help us remember who we are in Jesus," said Dad. "Yeah," said Kaelyn. "And it'd give me a break from all those pop songs!" Dad smiled. "I know just the verse to start with. 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.'" Kaelyn and Brenner laughed. "Dad!" –Jennifer Dillard How About You? Have you memorized the lyrics to your favorite song? How about a Bible verse? A memorized Bible verse can remind you that Jesus loves you and is always there to help you. Try memorizing an inspiring Bible verse. When it pops into your head at school, in the car, or during soccer practice, notice how that reminder of Christ's love improves your whole day. Today's Key Verse: You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. (NLT) (2 Timothy 3:15) Today's Key Thought: Memorize God's Word

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7; Hebrews 13:15-16 As Dr. Jensen talked about his work as a missionary, Nolan wondered what it would be like to move to a different country to serve God. Dr. Jensen described it as God giving him such a deep love for the people in that country that he had to move there, but Nolan doubted he'd ever be able to make such a big sacrifice, even if God wanted him to. Nolan listened intently as Dr. Jensen told a story about fixing a truck with the help of his sixteen-year-old son, Joel. "We didn't have the right tools, and Joel came up with one crazy idea after another. Just when we were about to give up, the engine roared to life! We praised God right then and there." On the way home from church, Nolan brought up the truck story. "It's too bad they don't have better tools to work with, isn't it?" He grinned at his dad. "You should have been there, Dad. You have tools to fix just about anything!" Over the next few days, Nolan often thought about Dr. Jensen's lack of tools. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to do something to help. I have some money saved up I could use, he thought. But then I won't have money for a new bike. Nolan tried to forget it, but he couldn't, so he decided to talk to his dad about it. "Dad, do you think God wants me to buy tools for the missionaries with my bike money? Could I get what they need with the amount I have?" "That's a great idea, Nolan. I can get tools at discount prices." Dad beamed. "I think the Holy Spirit is helping you love others like Jesus by putting their needs before your own desires." Nolan nodded. "Getting a new bike can wait." As he spoke, Nolan realized he was ready to make a sacrifice to help the missionaries. It's not as big as moving to a foreign country, he thought. But I think I'm beginning to understand how God can make you care about someone enough that you're willing to make sacrifices for them. It's like what Jesus did on the cross for me! He smiled at his dad. "Let's go pick out some tools!" –Esther M. Bailey How About You? Do you know anyone who's made a big sacrifice to serve God? Have you ever made a sacrifice to help someone? Jesus loves us so much that He sacrificed His life for us. When we trust in Him, we have the Holy Spirit within us to help us make sacrifices for others out of love. Whether big or small, the sacrifices you make for others show them the love of Jesus. Today's Key Verse: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (NIV) (1 John 3:16) Today's Key Thought: Make sacrifices for others

Bible Reading: Psalm 66:1-5; Romans 8:28-29 The Reed family was seated around their picnic table playing a board game when Eliana looked up. "Oh no!" she wailed. "Not again!" Parker groaned. Arthur, their collie, was almost totally covered with cockleburs. "I'm guessing you just had to go chase after a squirrel," said Parker. "Or was it a rabbit this time?" Eliana sighed. "Dad, why did God create cocklebur plants?" "Well, I don't know for sure," said Dad. "But I once heard of another dog that was covered with cockleburs many years ago. While his owner was picking them off, he noticed the small hooks on the burs and how they clung to each other. That gave him an idea that eventually earned him quite a bit of money." Dad grinned at Eliana. "What holds the strap in place across the top of your sandals?" Eliana pulled one strap loose. "It's called Velcro." Dad nodded. "The man who invented it got the idea from those cockleburs. He's just one of many people who have studied things in nature and then used what they learned to invent or improve things we use in everyday life. God's wisdom has been discovered in hundreds of the things He created." Parker slapped at a mosquito. "I'm pretty sure no one has found any use for mosquitoes though," he said. "Actually, scientists have been studying mosquitoes," said Mom. "They've used what they've learned from them to make hypodermic needles less painful." "Wow, that's great! I hate getting shots," said Parker. "And I thought the only good mosquito was a dead one!" "All of creation shows us that we have an awesome God," Dad said. "Even things like cockleburs and mosquitoes. Those things reflect God's wisdom too, even if we don't recognize it at first." "It's crazy to me that God gave mosquitoes and cockleburs a purpose," Eliana said. "It's the same with things in our lives," Mom said. "We can always trust God's wisdom, even with things we don't understand. He created us and sent Jesus to save us because He has a purpose for us. Even when things happen that don't make sense to us, we can trust Him." She looked at Arthur. "All right, let's get all those burs out of Arthur's coat before they get tangled in even worse!" –Vera M. Hutchcroft How About You? Do you sometimes wonder why God created things that seem bad? He has a purpose for everything, even when we can't see what it is. Jesus's death on the cross seemed awful at first, but it led to the biggest miracle ever--His resurrection! Because of this, we can pray that when we don't understand God would help us find peace in His wisdom. 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: You have an awesome God

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:19-23 "You can't trust anyone." Emma sighed as she walked along the beach with her aunt. "He promised to love my mom forever. And now what? He's going to leave me and Mom and never see us again?" "I'm sorry," her aunt said. "I wish things had worked out better." "He promised he was going to be like a dad to me," Emma said. "You and your mom have both been hurt twice now," her aunt said. "It's terrible, and I'm sorry." She bent to pick up a shell. "I don't know what it's like to have a dad or stepdad leave me, but I know that breakups are difficult. They make it hard to trust." "I'm never trusting anyone again. Everyone lies. No one stays with you." Emma's eyes filled with tears. "How do I even know you'll stay? How do I trust God anymore?" She kicked at the sand. "You know what? I don't." "Emma." Her aunt dropped the shell and put her arms around her. "Sweetheart…" "I wanted him to stick around!" Emma cried. "Mom was happy when he was with us." They stood there together, Emma crying and her aunt trying to comfort her, until a loud seagull got their attention and they pulled apart. Emma wiped her eyes. "I don't know if I can trust God anymore." Her aunt pointed to the water. "Who made that?" "God," Emma said. "He made the whole world." "Right," her aunt said. "There's a verse in Psalms that says God made the sea and goes on to say that He is always going to be faithful. Faithful…it's what a couple promises to be when they get married. But people mess up. God doesn't ever mess up--He will always be there for you." "It's hard to believe that," Emma said. "I know. But the One who made you and sent His Son to die for you is not going to abandon you. He loves you too much to do that." Emma bent down and picked up a smooth stone. "I think I'll keep this to remember what you said--to remember that the God who made the ocean is always going to be faithful." –Emily Acker How About You? Have the actions of humans such as your parents, teachers, or friends ever caused you to question God? Even if a parent or friend abandons you, God is still going to be with you, no matter what. God created you and loves you, and Jesus died and rose again to save you and give you eternal life with Him. You can trust Him to always be faithful. Today's Key Verse: He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--he remains faithful forever. (NIV) (Psalm 146:6) Today's Key Thought: God is always faithful

Bible Reading: John 10:7-10 Ryan lay flat on his back in the cool green grass, watching the fluffy clouds floating across the sky above him. When he glanced over at the tall trellis covered with Grandma's rambling roses, he noticed it almost reached the small balcony with the slider door that led to the guest bedroom. Ryan scrambled to his feet and darted toward the house. I bet I can climb up to my room, he thought. He put his foot on a low trellis slat, pushed away a few roses, and began to climb. He stretched his arms, caught the balcony railing, and swung himself up. But before he could crawl over the railing, his foot slipped. He screamed, and the big pink roses zipped by as he fell to the ground. "Ryan, can you open your eyes?" asked a faraway voice. "Can you hear me?" Ryan blinked and slowly sat up. "What happened?" he asked. "You had a bad fall," said Grandpa. "We need to take you to the emergency room to make sure you don't have a concussion." After returning from the hospital with a clean bill of health, Ryan felt embarrassed about what he had done. "I wanted to climb onto the balcony to get into my room," he said. "I thought it would be more fun than just walking in through the door, but it wasn't fun at all!" After dinner, Grandpa read from the book of John. "Your experience today reminded me of these verses," he said. "They say Jesus is the door to eternal life. We may think we can get to heaven by going to church, helping neighbors, giving money to charity, taking care of animals--doing all sorts of good things. But just like you couldn't get into your bedroom by climbing the rose trellis, none of us can get into heaven by doing good things." "Right," said Grandma. "We can only get into heaven through Jesus. He is the door. Only He can save us from sin and give us eternal life." Ryan nodded. "I didn't use the door when I tried to get into my room today, and that was a disaster. I'm glad I'm going through the door to heaven by trusting in Jesus!" –Lois A. Teufel How About You? Did you know that Jesus is the door--the only way--to heaven? Or are you trying to get there some other way? There is nothing you can do to work your way to heaven. You must simply come through the door. Jesus loves you so much He died to save you from sin so you could spend eternity with Him. Trust Him as your Savior 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: I am the Door. Anyone who goes in through Me will be saved from the punishment of sin. (NLV) (John 10:9) Today's Key Thought: Jesus is the door to heaven

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:27; 1 Peter 1:18-19 "I don't get it, Grandpa." Malik scratched his head as he looked at the painting. "What is it?" "Well, the title is Three Musicians. Try squinting your eyes and tilting your head." "I think I see a clarinet and a guitar, but the musicians look a little creepy." "That's the beauty of art," said Grandpa. "Everyone sees something different." Malik and his grandparents were spending the afternoon at an art museum. Malik had never seen so many paintings and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces of artwork hung on walls that stretched on for what seemed like miles. "Which painting is your favorite, Malik?" Grandma asked. "I'm not sure, Grammy. Some of these paintings look like they were painted by a three-year-old. Other paintings look way better than anything I could paint. If I had to pick my favorite, it might be Three Musicians. I like that you have to think about what you're looking at. How much do you think a painting like that costs?" Grandma shrugged. Grandpa scratched his chin. "I'm sure that painting costs millions of dollars." "Millions of dollars!" Malik couldn't believe it. "It doesn't look that valuable." Grandpa smiled. "It's not valuable because of how it looks. It's valuable because of who made it. Three Musicians was painted by Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest artists of all time. Many people consider it to be one of his masterpieces." Grandma put her arm around Malik. "Every time I come here I can't help but think that none of these masterpieces compare to God's masterpieces." "God's masterpieces?" asked Malik. "Where are God's masterpieces?" Grandma smiled. "Take a look in the mirror." "Me?" Malik asked. "You got it. The Bible says God made all of us in His image. We're God's masterpieces. Our value doesn't come from how we look, but from who made us." "That's right," Grandpa chimed in. "The Bible also says God paid a high price for us. He sent His Son to die on the cross to save us from sin. Jesus paid for us with His life so we could belong to Him." Malik took out his phone and snapped a picture of himself with his grandparents. Grandma looked at it and smiled. "Now that's a masterpiece!" –Jared Hottenstein How About You? Have you ever looked in the mirror and seen something you didn't like? Maybe you think your nose is too big or your hair is too curly. The next time you find something about your body you wish you could change, remember that God made you, and He doesn't make mistakes. He made you in His image, and Jesus paid for you with His life. That determines your value--not what you look like. Today's Key Verse: God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body. (ERV) (1 Corinthians 6:20 ) Today's Key Thought: You are God's masterpiece

Bible Reading: John 15:12-13 "Have you ever heard people use colors to describe their feelings?" Miss Iverson asked her class. Carter waved his hand to make sure she saw it. "Like green with envy?" "How about purple with rage?" Mei said. "Or blue--like when they're sad." "All good examples," Miss Iverson said. "Now, people don't actually change color, but some animals do. A chameleon, for example, can quickly change its skin color in response to light, temperature, or other things in its environment. Other animals change color to blend in with their surroundings. They do that to defend themselves against enemies." That evening, Carter told his dad about his day. "People use different colors to describe how they feel, but some animals really do change their color. Isn't that cool?" "Sure is," said Dad. "Sounds like you had a good day." "Pretty good," replied Carter, but then he frowned. "Hari and I always play together at recess time, but today he acted like he didn't even know me! He was playing basketball with a bunch of guys when I came up, and he didn't invite me to play with them or even speak to me. I think he wanted them to think he was cool." Carter paused. "Hari was a chameleon friend today!" "That's a good way to describe people who change their behavior toward others depending on the situation," said Dad. "But I don't think Hari is the only one who does that. Have you ever done something like that, Carter?" "Well…maybe." Carter thought of how he treated his little sister differently when his friends came over. "Yeah. I'm not always nice to Layla in front of my friends because I want her to leave us alone." "Do you remember the verse you learned at church last week?" Dad asked. Carter nodded. "Proverbs 17:17. It says friends should love each other at all times. That kind of friend wouldn't be like a chameleon." "No," said Dad. "That verse describes the kind of friend Jesus is. He shows His love for us all the time, and He wants us to do the same. Trust Him to help you be consistent, loving friend--even when others aren't." "Okay." Carter sighed. "I'll remember that when I see Hari tomorrow." –Donna Huisjen How About You? Have you ever had a chameleon friend? Have you been one yourself? It hurts when a friend changes the way they treat you based on where they are or who they're with. The Bible says a true friend loves at all times. That's how Jesus loves us, and He wants us to love others the same way. Be a consistent friend and treat others in the same loving way all the time. Today's Key Verse: A friend loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17) Today's Key Thought: Be a consistent friend

Bible Reading: Psalm 32:1-5; Matthew 6:9-13 Robin knelt at the foot of her bed and bowed her head to pray. It was hard to focus with her little sister, Jenny, screaming in the bathroom. "No! I don't want to brush my teeth!" Jenny cried. Mom poked her head into Robin's room, a tired smile on her face. "Robin, could Jenny and I pray with you? Maybe we can pray that Jenny will want to brush her teeth." Robin nodded, and her sister raced into the room and sat beside her, suddenly an angel. "Dear Jesus," Robin said. "Thank You for helping me with my math homework and healing Grandma from her fall. Please bless all my friends and family. Help us have a good night's sleep. Amen." "Amen!" Jenny exclaimed. "Robin, did you forget something?" Mom asked. "Oh, right. Jesus, please help Jenny brush her teeth without complaining. Amen." Mom smiled. "Just one more thing. Do you remember how Jesus taught us how to pray? In addition to thanking God and bringing our needs to Him, we also need to confess our sins." Robin sighed. "I just don't see the point in asking Jesus to forgive my sins every single day. I'll still make mistakes tomorrow." "Admitting our wrongs is about more than preventing future mistakes," Mom replied. Jenny tugged on Mom's sleeve. "Bedtime?" Robin laughed. "Nice try, Jenny. But you have to brush your teeth." "Why does she need to brush her teeth?" Mom asked Robin. "Because her teeth are dirty and she might get cavities if she waits too long to clean them." "But her teeth will be dirty again tomorrow," Mom said. "And every day after that. Maybe the whole thing is pointless." "It's still healthier to brush her teeth daily," Robin said. Then she laughed. "You're not talking about brushing teeth, are you?" "You caught me," Mom said. "Confessing our sins reminds us of our need for Jesus and helps us appreciate what He did to save us. Prayer is meant to bring us closer to Jesus in this way." Robin turned to Jenny. "If I confess my sins to Jesus, will you finally brush your teeth?" Jenny sighed dramatically. "Okay, fine." –Hannah Chung How About You? Have you ever wondered why you should confess your sins to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness when you pray? Confessing means to recognize an action or attitude as sin and trust God for forgiveness, knowing that it is because of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross that we will be forgiven. Take a moment to confess any sins, trusting that God will forgive you each and every time. 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: Confess your sins daily

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-9 Landon's eyes widened in horror as his elbow knocked a bottle of paint off the table and it toppled to the floor. Blue paint spread in a growing blob across the kitchen. Landon jumped off his chair and quickly picked up the paint bottle. What am I going to do? he wondered. I've got to clean this up before Grandpa and Grandma see it. Landon rushed into the laundry room and grabbed some rags, then ran back to the kitchen and used them to soak up the paint on the floor. A large stain remained behind, so he got a bucket of soapy water and began scrubbing the paint spot. This isn't going to work! Landon thought frantically. He ran to the sink and began washing his hands. I can't get the paint off my hands either! He knew he would have to tell his grandparents what had happened. Grandpa frowned when he came in and saw the stain. "Well, I'm glad the floor isn't carpeted!" he said. "I have some special cleaner in the garage, and I think it will work on this." Grandpa went to get the cleaner, and soon all trace of the paint was gone. "You know, Landon," said Grandpa as they washed their hands with the same cleaner they had used on the floor, "maybe we can both learn a good lesson from what just happened." Landon looked up at him. "Not to fool around with paint in the kitchen, right?" Grandpa smiled. "Well, yes, but I was thinking of an even more important lesson. You couldn't wash the paint stains away by yourself, could you?" Landon shook his head. "The Bible tells us we're all stained by sin, and no matter how hard we try, we can't clean it away ourselves," Grandpa said as he picked up a towel and dried his hands. "But when Jesus died and rose again, He made it possible for our sins to be washed away." Landon dried his clean hands too. "I needed you to use your special cleaner on the floor and on my hands," he said. "And I need Jesus to clean my heart, right?" Grandpa smiled and put his hand on Landon's shoulder. "That's exactly right." –Richard S. Maffeo How About You? Have your sins been washed away? You can't clean your heart by being good or doing good things. It won't work. You need someone to clean it for you--Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can make your heart clean and free from the guilt of sin. Ask Him to clean your heart 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: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (NKJV) (Psalm 51:7) Today's Key Thought: Jesus cleans sin away

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-10 Malachi waited in the hallway, tapping his foot on the floor. "Almost time…" He didn't have to wait long. The door to his dad's office opened, and his dad appeared with his glasses pushed up on the top of his head. "Hi, bud," Dad said. Malachi grinned and started for the kitchen. He knew his dad would follow him. An hour later, Malachi positioned himself in the hallway again. This time his dad wouldn't just be getting water but also a snack. He was hoping he might share. "Have you been standing out here all morning?" Dad asked as he stepped out of his office. Malachi shook his head with a grin. "What are you having today? Yogurt? A granola bar?" Dad gave him a sheepish smile. "How did you know I was feeling ready for a snack?" Malachi shrugged. Ever since his dad started working from home, he'd been paying attention and learning his routine. Malachi told his grandma about it that evening when she came to the house so his dad could go to a meeting. "I've memorized it all. He does everything at a certain time, even going outside to get a little fresh air." Grandma smiled. "It shows you care a lot about him for you to memorize his routine so you can see him when he takes little breaks from his work." Malachi nodded slowly. It did show that, didn't it? He wanted all the time he could get with his dad. Malachi frowned. "No one cares enough to memorize my routine. I don't think Dad even knows what time I get up." "Your dad might not, but someone does," Grandma said, scooping a homemade brownie onto a plate. "In Psalm 139, we read that God knows every move we make. Not only did He love us enough to send Jesus to save us from sin, but He cares about us enough to pay attention to our daily routines." "Really?" Malachi asked. "Well, that's cool." Grandma nodded. "Your dad loves and cares about you too, Malachi. If you're feeling lonely, maybe you should talk to him about spending more time together. But when your dad can't be with you, remember that God is. He knows everything about you and cares about your life. You can always talk to Him." –Emily Acker How About You? Do you ever feel like no one really cares about you or pays a lot of attention to the things you do? If so, talk to a trusted adult about it so they can help. But know that God cares about you. He knows every detail of your life and wants to hear about everything you're going through. When it feels like no one cares, tell Him how you feel and trust Him to help you. Today's Key Verse: Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. (NKJV) (Psalm 33:18) Today's Key Thought: God cares about you

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 41:10, 13 "Mr. Robinson asked me to give my testimony at our youth group meeting Sunday night," Olivia told her mother as they walked along a path in the woods. "I'm going to tell him I just can't do it! I'm too scared!" She pointed toward a nearby hill. "There's the old fire lookout tower, Mom. Looks like somebody's on duty there today. Do you think they'll let us climb it? I've never done that." "Let's check it out," said Mom. When they walked over to the tower, Olivia hesitated. "I don't know," she said as she looked up at flight after flight of stairs leading to the top of the tower. "It looks scary! I don't really like being up so high." "I'll be behind you to make sure you don't fall," Mom assured her. So after they got permission, Olivia and her mother began climbing. The higher they climbed, the scarier it seemed, but Olivia could feel her mom's presence right behind her. And when they finally reached the top, Olivia was amazed as she looked out over the forest. Brilliant colors from the setting sun clung to clouds on the horizon. It made a spectacular canopy over the trees and hills below. "Wow, this is awesome!" said Olivia. "Was it worth being scared?" Mom asked. "It sure was," said Olivia. "Besides, even though I was scared, I knew you were with me." "You know," said Mom, "if you let fear keep you from giving your testimony, you might miss something as awesome as this view." "What do you mean?" asked Olivia. "It's awesome to see what God does when we share how He's working in our lives with others," replied Mom. "But what if I get so scared I can't even talk?" asked Olivia. "I'm not saying you'll breeze right through it, but just like I was with you and ready to help you on these stairs, God will be with you and help you speak about Jesus and how He's changed your life. Even if you mess up, He'll be there to support you and use what you say to bless others." Olivia hesitated, then nodded. "Okay," she said. "Even though it's scary, I'll trust God to help me." –Katherine R. Adams How About You? Is there something you believe God wants you to do? Someone you should reach out to or talk to about Jesus? If you feel afraid, remember that God will be with you and help you. He is working in your life so that you can point others to Jesus and help them know He loves them and gave His life to save them. Trust Him to help you serve Him and share His love with others in spite of your fear. Today's Key Verse: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT) (2 Timothy 1:7) Today's Key Thought: Don't be afraid to serve God

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Javier looked out the window. Rain rattled on the roof, and thunder jolted his eardrums. "Why is it so loud, Mom?" he asked. "The storm is getting closer," replied Mom. "The reporter on TV said the basement is the safest place in storms like this, so let's go." Mom handed Javier a jug of water and a couple of flashlights. "You can carry these," she said. "I'll grab some snacks and our emergency pack." They hurried down the stairs and huddled in a corner of the basement as the wind shook the house. "The wind is so strong," said Javier nervously. "Yes," said Mom, "but we're sheltered from it. And we have snacks and lights and other supplies to keep us comfortable." She handed him a granola bar. "Thanks--peanut butter's my favorite!" Javier bit into the bar and chewed thoughtfully. "It's good to be prepared for storms like this, isn't it?" "Yes, it is," said Mom. "Did you know God wants us to also prepare for storms that may come along in life?" "So we'll be ready for whatever happens to us?" asked Javier. "Exactly. Can you think of ways we can be ready for whatever happens in our lives here on earth?" "Well, we believed what the weather reporter said and came to the basement, and we also need to believe what God says and trust Jesus to save us from sin," said Javier. "Good," said Mom. "That's most important. What else?" "We brought lights," said Javier. "And the Bible is called a light, isn't it?" "Yes," said Mom. "It shows us our need for Jesus and the sacrifice He made to save us, and it shines on our lives so we can follow the path God wants for us as His children. Any more ideas?" "Uh…we brought food and water," said Javier. "Is that like the Bible too?" Mom nodded. "As we get to know Jesus through what He says in the Bible, He will nourish us spiritually and remind us to trust Him for strength when life brings hard times." Javier sat up straight. "Hey, Mom, it's not blowing so hard anymore! Shouldn't we pray and thank God for protecting us?" "You bet!" said Mom, and together they bowed their heads. –Jaclyn S. Miller How About You? Are you prepared for life's storms? Everyone experiences hard times in their lives, but you can be ready for them before they come. Do you trust in Jesus? That's most important. Jesus promises to always be with those who trust in Him and give us strength in tough times. Talk to Him and let Him encourage you and guide you through the light of His Word. When you face hard times, trust Him to help you weather the storm. Today's Key Verse: Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work. (ERV) (2 Timothy 3:17) Today's Key Thought: Prepare for life's storms

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-32 "It's hard to believe you're already old enough to be in middle school this year, Mateo," Mom said as they drove home after shopping for school clothes. "Don't remind me," Mateo said miserably. "I wish I could stay at my old school forever." "Why?" asked Mom. "Last year there weren't any older kids to pick on us," replied Mateo. "I liked being one of the oldest kids in the school." "Sounds like you have the middle school blues before you even get there," said Mom. "Well, this year my class will be the youngest, so we'll have to deal with all the older kids," said Mateo. Mom pointed to a little girl on a tricycle crossing the street with her mother. "Remember your tricycle?" she asked. "Why don't you ride it anymore?" "Ride my tricycle?" asked Mateo in surprise. "That would look weird!" He grinned at the thought. "I'm too big to ride that thing now." "Remember how you prayed every night for weeks that you could take the training wheels off your first two-wheel bike?" Mom asked as the traffic light turned green and they went through the busy intersection. Mateo laughed. "I remember that. I didn't want to be a baby forever." "It seems like you do now," said Mom. "At least when it comes to school." Mateo frowned. "School is different." "Somewhat different," Mom said as they turned into their driveway. "But in a way, going from your tricycle to a bike with training wheels to a bike without them is a lot like going from elementary to middle school to high school." Mateo sighed. "I guess." "And whenever you fell off your tricycle or bike, Dad and I were there to help," Mom reminded him. "We're still here to help you--we'll support you and pray for you every day. And you should pray too! Give your worries to Jesus, and trust Him to help you deal with new situations. Even though middle school seems scary, He promises to be with you and use this new phase of your life to help you grow in your relationship with Him. Trust Him to help you one day at a time, and enjoy today!" –Ruth McQuilkin How About You? Do you worry about going to a new school or moving to a new place? Do you wonder how things will turn out even further down the road--like finding a job or getting married? It's good to pray about future events in your life, but don't worry about them. Trust Jesus to guide you through the years ahead and help you through whatever changes you face. Then enjoy life with Him today! Today's Key Verse: Do not worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34) Today's Key Thought: Give worries to Jesus and enjoy today

Bible Reading: Proverbs 18:24; Philippians 2:3-8 Luke sat in the pew and stared off into space as his parents talked to some friends nearby. His stomach growled loudly, and he hoped his family would leave soon. "What are you doing sitting here by yourself?" Luke looked up as Mr. Bryant sat down in the pew in front of him. "Nothing," Luke said with a smile. He liked talking to Mr. Bryant. "Why don't you go talk to someone?" Mr. Bryant asked. Luke shrugged. "I don't have any friends here," he said. "What do you mean you don't have friends?" Mr. Bryant looked around the church. "I bet the kids over there are your age." He pointed to someone up front. "And I know he's your age!" Luke looked and saw that Mr. Bryant was pointing to his grandson standing by the piano. "It's just--it's hard to know what to say to other kids," he told Mr. Bryant. "I don't mind being by myself." Mr. Bryant cleared his throat. "Remember when you first started coming to church here with your family? I totally ignored you, and that's how we became friends, right?" Luke laughed. "No! You were one of the first people to say hello, and we talk all the time now." Mr. Bryant nodded and leaned his arm on top of the pew. "Listen, Luke. You want friends, don't you?" Luke nodded. "Well," Mr. Bryant said, "to have friends, you have to be friendly and take an interest in others. You have to go right up and introduce yourself, like I did when I first met you." "But it's hard," Luke said. "So's math," said Mr. Bryant with a grin. "But you don't have to do it on your own. Jesus is the greatest Friend there is--He became one of us and died to save us so we could be His friends forever! With His help, I think you'll make one of those friends the Bible talks about--one that sticks closer than a brother." Luke thought about that and smiled. "I guess that'd be cool." Mr. Bryant leaned over and gave Luke a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Now you're talking." He looked at his watch and got up. "See you later, Luke." He jerked his thumb toward his grandson. "Now go say hello." –Katlyn Traxler How About You? Do you need a friend? Trying to make friends can be scary, but it gets easier the more you practice. Trust Jesus to help you be the kind of friend He is--one who cares about others and takes an interest in their lives. Ask Him to give you the courage to reach out to those around you and be friendly. Just saying hello to someone new could be the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Today's Key Verse: A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NKJV) (Proverbs 18:24 ) Today's Key Thought: Be a friend

Bible Reading: Psalm 130:5-7 It felt like forever before it was Daisy's turn to ride the swinging ship. She watched the line slowly move forward each time a new group got on the ride. Finally, it was her turn! "Ready?" Dad grinned. "More than ready!" Daisy hurried to find a seat. The ride was just as fun as she expected, and she screamed each time it went down. Her stomach flip-flopped a little, but she still loved it. "Can we go again?" Daisy asked as soon as they were finished. Dad pointed toward the line. "It's still long." "I don't mind," Daisy said. Now that she knew how fun the ride was, she could wait forever. "You're sure you wouldn't rather ride something else?" Dad asked, pointing toward a shorter line. Daisy quickly shook her head. Dad smiled and led her to the end of the long line. "Some things are worth waiting for, huh?" "Yeah," Daisy said. Dad put his hand on her shoulder. "As you get older, you'll realize other things are worth waiting for too. Sometimes we have to be patient to get something good." "Like a ride on a swinging ship?" Daisy asked. "And things even better than that," Dad said as they slowly moved forward in line. "God has good plans for you, Daisy. He loves you so much He sent Jesus to save you from sin and give you eternal life! You can trust Him to bring good things into your life at the right time. Be patient as you wait for Him to show you what they are." "What kind of things?" asked Daisy. "Well, for example, it took a while for me to figure out God was calling me to be a pastor. Waiting for Him to lead me where He wanted me to go wasn't easy, but it helped me grow in my relationship with Jesus." Dad smiled. "You can trust God to lead you in what's best for your life too." Daisy nodded. The line didn't seem so bad when her dad was talking, and she knew how much fun she was going to have at the end. She was glad she could trust God to help her be patient and wait for the good things He had planned for her too. –Bethany Acker How About You? Do you ever get impatient? Think of something you know is worth waiting for--like a fun ride or cookies baking in the oven. The good things God has planned for you are worth the wait too. He loves you so much that Jesus died and rose again to save you, and He has good plans for you. Be patient as you wait for Him to show them to you. Today's Key Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV) (Jeremiah 29:11) Today's Key Thought: Wait patiently for God's plan

Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:20-23; 1 John 1:6-7 "Whoo, whoo, whoooo!" Kaylee heard the soft hoot of an owl floating through the still night air as she and her dad walked along a narrow path on their way to see the moon rise over the lake. An owl! she thought. She shined her flashlight toward the treetops, hoping to get a glimpse of the bird, but she couldn't see anything. As she looked straight up and searched the branches, her foot caught on a root sticking up from the path, and she fell down hard. "Kaylee, are you all right?" Dad hurried to help her up. "What happened?" "I tripped on a root," said Kaylee, getting up and brushing herself off. "I was pointing my flashlight up at the trees to see if I could find the owl. I guess I should have kept my light on the path." "Yeah, I guess so," said Dad with a smile. They continued their walk and soon reached the beach. The lake was calm and glassy, and a beautiful silver path led to the moon hanging low over the dark water. They stood and enjoyed the scene in silence for a while. "Well, we'd better head back," Dad finally said. "Be sure to keep your light on the path this time." "I will!" Kaylee assured him. "I've learned my lesson. That owl can hoot all he wants--I'm gonna watch where I'm going!" "I've been thinking about a verse in Psalms--one that says God's Word is a light for our path," Dad said as they started back. "If we forget to shine the light of God's Word on our lives, it can cause us to trip and fall in our walk with Jesus." "That would be worse than the fall I took, wouldn't it?" said Kaylee. Dad nodded. "Jesus is our light in this dark world--He saved us and promises us eternal life with Him. That's why we need to let His truth light our way and guide us in how we live. And when we trip and fall into sin, the Bible says Jesus will always forgive us when we confess our wrongs." Kaylee smiled. "I'll listen to what God says in the Bible so His light will shine on my path--just like this flashlight!" –Judith K. Boogaart How About You? Do you take time to read your Bible? Do you listen when others teach about it and ask them to explain things you don't understand? As you study God's Word in your walk with Jesus, it will remind you that you belong to Him and show you how He wants you to turn from sin and love others. Keep reading and listening to what He says in the Bible so His light can shine on the path of your life. Today's Key Verse: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (NKJV) (Psalm 119:105) Today's Key Thought: Let God's truth light your way

Bible Reading: Isaiah 41:8-10; John 14:16-17 Evelyn peeked through the blinds of her bedroom window at the SOLD! sign on her front lawn. She turned back to the sea of boxes surrounding her as a tear slipped from her eye and landed with a wet splat on the cardboard. I can't decide if I want my butterfly pillow at Mom's apartment or Dad's house, she thought. With a big sigh, she threw it into the box marked Mom along with some other toys and books. Evelyn's mom knocked on her door. "Evelyn, is everything okay in there? You need to be finished packing by lunchtime." When Evelyn didn't answer, Mom opened the door and found her silently crying over the open box. "What is it?" Mom asked, wrapping her tightly in a hug. "I can't decide if I want my butterfly pillow at your apartment or Dad's house. I need it to fall asleep," Evelyn said, wiping her eyes. "Why do we have to sell our house and move into two separate places? I want my pillow with me every night! And I want you and Dad with me every night too." "I'm so sorry our divorce has hurt you so badly, Evelyn," Mom said, rubbing her arm. "We both love you very much, even when we're not with you. And the good news is you can take your pillow to Dad's house and then bring it back to my apartment. Your pillow can go everywhere with you. You never have to leave it behind." Mom picked up Evelyn's Bible from the open cardboard box. "Just like God promised us in the Bible that He would never leave us. When you trusted in Jesus, God gave you the Holy Spirit to help you, comfort you, and guide you. He is always with you, Evelyn, even when Dad and I are not." Mom gently placed Evelyn's butterfly pillow and Bible into her backpack. "How about we keep these two special things in your bag so they're easy to take back and forth between my apartment and Dad's house?" Evelyn glanced out the window again at the sign in her yard. "Okay," she said. "I guess I can give it a try." –Nicole Kraayenbrink How About You? Have you experienced the pain and feelings of abandonment that divorce brings? Maybe your own parents are divorced, or an aunt and uncle, or perhaps a friend's mom and dad. Even when it feels like someone in your life has left you behind, remember that God will never leave you. He cares about you and will always be with you wherever you are. Today's Key Verse: The Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. (CSB) (Deuteronomy 31:6) Today's Key Thought: God will never leave you

Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 2:1-16 "Visit our store and enjoy Christmas every day of the year!" Georgia read the billboard out loud as she and her family traveled home from a weeklong vacation. "Cool!" she said. "That's in the town at the next exit, isn't it? Can we stop at that store?" Dad shrugged. "Why not? We could use a break from driving. Watch for signs so we'll know where to turn." They found the store, and everyone smiled when they heard "Jingle Bells" playing over the loudspeaker as they walked in. The store was filled with all kinds of Christmas decorations--ornaments, trees, twinkling lights, and wreaths. In one corner, a woman was handing out decorated Christmas cookies. As Georgia and her parents ate their cookies, they wandered over to a large manger scene. The animals looked so real, Georgia could almost imagine she was in Bethlehem. As she thought about the events of that night long ago, she imagined Mary putting baby Jesus in a manger with all the sounds and smells of animals around them. She thought about the angels singing, the shepherds running to the stable to see Jesus, and the wise men traveling from far away to worship the new King. "Come on, Georgia," said Mom, interrupting her daydreams. "Time to be on our way." Georgia continued thinking about the manger scene on the drive home. "I wish we could celebrate Christmas all year long like they do at that store," she said. "We can!" said Dad. "What is Christmas, Georgia?" "It's the time when we remember Jesus being born," Georgia replied. "Exactly!" said Dad. "The night God sent His Son to earth as one of us so He could save us from sin. Don't you think that's something we should celebrate all year long?" "Well, sure," said Georgia. "We should thank God every day for sending Jesus, shouldn't we?" She grinned. "So can we put up the Christmas tree when we get home?" Mom laughed and shook her head. "We'll save that for December," she said. "We can remember God's gift of Jesus and the meaning of Christmas without the tree." –Linda Weddle How About You? Are you thankful every day for God's amazing gift? He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth as a human being to take the punishment for your sin so you could have eternal life with Him. There's no better gift than that! Don't wait until December to thank God for His great gift. Jesus is the reason to celebrate Christmas all year long! Today's Key Verse: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (NKJV) (2 Corinthians 9:15) Today's Key Thought: Think of God's gift all year long