Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: Psalm 42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Revelation 21:3-5 "I'm going for a walk." Mel's attention shot up at Owen's announcement as he entered the kitchen. He still had his hoodie on, but he was actually wearing jeans, not sweatpants. "You want to join?" Mel nodded and jumped to her feet, and within a minute they were out the door. Mel loved walking in their neighborhood downtown. She liked the scrunched-up houses and how close they lived to their neighbors. As she and Owen walked in silence, Mom's words from a couple weeks ago telling her that Owen had depression echoed in her ears. She kept glancing over at her brother, and eventually he asked, "Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Mel kicked a rock instead of responding. "Mel, what's wrong?" Finally, she looked up at her big brother. "I just don't understand," she began. "Can't Jesus heal people? Why doesn't He heal you? Will you be sick forever?" This time Owen kicked the rock before replying. "I believe Jesus can heal me and take away my depression. I'm not sure why He's not doing it now, but I know He will one day." "One day like in a few more weeks?" "Maybe," responded Owen. "But maybe not. It's complicated. Jesus promises us that when we trust Him as our Savior, He will save us from our sins so we can be with Him forever. But not everything is perfect--yet. It won't be until Jesus makes everything right when He comes again." "What do we do until then?" Mel asked. Owen took a deep breath. "We have hope. I know with certainty that God is faithful and incapable of breaking His promises. Having hope is having confidence in God." Mel took in the sight of her brother. He was in a good mood today, but would he be tomorrow? Before she could say anything, Owen continued. "And when it's hard to hope, I take comfort in knowing that Jesus is still with me and can give me hope and peace." Mel found another rock to kick, then looked to Owen and said, "Would it help if I made a sticker of Jesus's hope for your door? That way it'll be easier to remember." Owen grinned. "I think that's a wonderful idea." –Zoe Brickner How About You? Are you facing pain and difficulty in your life? Even in our suffering, we can have peace knowing our ultimate hope is that Jesus will make all things new. He promises to comfort us and be with us in our pain, and one day He will restore our minds and bodies and get rid of pain, sickness, and death forever! Whenever you go through hard times, remember the hope you have in Him. Today's Key Verse: Why are you sad, o my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will praise him again for his help of being near me. (NLV) (Psalm 42:5) Today's Key Thought: Stick to hope

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Mel peeked out of her room to see if Owen's door was still shut. It was. All she saw was the array of homemade stickers plastered over it. The door was closed a lot lately. Mel sighed. She wished Owen would play with her and tease her for the silly-looking people she drew. "Dinner's ready!" Mom's voice startled Mel, but she grinned when she smelled her favorite chicken and pasta. At dinner Mel glanced over at Owen's empty chair. "Mom, Owen's been acting strange. He rarely eats with us, and he hasn't wanted to hang out with me." The words tumbled out of her mouth. "You're right," Mom said after a sigh. "Owen hasn't been feeling good lately." "Is he sick? Does he need a doctor?" "Well, it's his mind, not his body," Mom explained. "His doctor calls it depression. This sort of sickness can make it really hard to do the things you love, or even be with the people you love." Mel was silent for a moment and traced her fork through the pasta sauce. "Is there anything we can do? I feel helpless." Mom put her hands around Mel's. "Even though Owen is hurting, Jesus is with him and wants to comfort him. He died for Owen and understands what he's going through, and He promises to be with him through it. We can remind Owen that he's not alone and that Jesus loves him. I've been sitting with him in his room while he eats dinner. Do you want to bring up his plate tonight?" While Mel dished up some food for her brother, she had an idea. She got to work before knocking on Owen's door. He opened it wearing his basketball hoodie. "I brought dinner, and this." Mel held out the sticker she'd made. It was of her, Mom, and Jesus giving Owen a hug with the words, We love you! Owen laughed, and Mel smiled. "Is that supposed to be me?" he asked, pointing to the middle stick figure. Mel didn't get a chance to respond because Owen pulled her into a hug. Then he stuck her drawing on the inside of his door and said, "This way I can see it. And I'll be reminded that I'm not alone." –Zoe Brickner How About You? Do you know someone who may be struggling in a way similar to Owen? Maybe they've been acting distant and detached from how they usually are. Or perhaps you've been feeling that way yourself. If you think you or anyone else might be struggling with depression, talk to a family member, teacher, or other trusted adult. Then trust Jesus to be with you in your struggles and to help you love and comfort others. Today's Key Verse: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (NIV) (Psalm 23:4) Today's Key Thought: Jesus sticks with us

Bible Reading: Psalm 66:10-12; Colossians 3:1-14; 1 Peter 1:7 Poppy walked into the kitchen just as her mom was coming in from outside. It was a hot day, and her mom's face was bright red and dripping with sweat. "Mom!" Poppy laughed. "What have you been doing?" Her mom was breathing heavily, but she smiled. "I went outside a couple hours ago to clean up the lilac bushes. Well, they were in much worse shape than I thought. I just came in for a drink, but there's still lots for me to do." "I'll help!" Poppy said, grabbing her gardening gloves. As the two approached the giant lilac bushes in the yard, Poppy saw the thick vines that wound their way up and over all the bushes, shading them from the sun's light. Mom picked up the hatchet, and the two of them got to work. Mom cut the vines off at the base and Poppy grabbed and pulled the vines from the bush. The vines held so tightly that it often took the both of them pulling until the vine finally released and the lilac bush bounced back to its full height. "That was hard," Poppy said once they were finished. She was so tired she could barely lift the glass of iced tea to her lips! "I agree," Mom said. "But you know what? Sometimes when I do yardwork like that, I remember that God is doing the same type of work in my heart. It makes the struggle a bit more bearable." "What do you mean, the same type of work?" Poppy asked. Mom looked thoughtfully at the bushes. "My sinful nature--my desire to do wrong things that go against who I am in Jesus--is a lot like those vines. Fighting against it often feels as hard as ripping those vines out. But, because of Jesus, I have the Holy Spirit, who gives me the power to resist sin and is helping me grow to be more holy--more like Jesus. When I rip out those vines, I'm reminded of the Holy Spirit's work in my life and how grateful I am that I don't have to fight my sinful desires on my own." Poppy looked at the lilac bushes swaying easily in the breeze, thinking over her mom's words. She knew she had that same power in her too. –Emily Tenter How About You? Do you see evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in your life? If you know Jesus as your Savior, God is refining you and making you more like Him. Sometimes it's uncomfortable, and it's impossible to do alone! God gives us the power to leave our sinful ways behind and pursue holiness. Whenever you struggle with sin, remember that God is making you more like Jesus, and trust Him to help you show His love in your life. Today's Key Verse: We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. (NIV) (Psalm 66:12) Today's Key Thought: God makes us holy

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 As Macy walked with her mom to the barn, she began to pick a bouquet of wildflowers. She was so excited to see flowers again. Winter was over, and spring was budding everywhere. "After we finish helping Dad and Jake with the chores in the barn, we can get those pretty flowers in a vase," Mom said. Macy set the flowers down in the feed room and got some hay to give to the horses. "Good morning, Cinnamon!" Macy said as she pitched some hay into Cinnamon's stall. She gave all the horses hay, then helped Dad let a couple of the horses out to graze in the pasture. She laughed as she watched the horses dance around. "I think they're excited about spring too." After they finished up in the barn, Macy grabbed her bouquet and walked back to the house with Mom, picking a few more flowers along the way. Mom picked out a pretty vase from under the kitchen sink, and Macy put some water in it and began to arrange the bouquet. Once she had the flowers arranged just right, she set the vase in the middle of the table. During dinner that evening, spring was the main topic. Macy's parents and older brother were busy talking about all the things they needed to get done on the farm now that it was warmer. "I love all the beautiful flowers I can pick now that it's spring!" Macy chimed in. "And we enjoy your beautiful bouquets," said Mom. "You know, Macy, spring makes me think of my new life in Christ. Just like the trees and plants bud out with new growth, so do our lives when we trust in Jesus. God's Word reminds us that we are new creations who have the love of Jesus in our hearts and are able to share it with others." "So, since I'm a Christian, I'm like a spring flower," said Macy. "I'm a new creation." "Sometimes you don't smell like a spring flower though after you've been working in the barn," Jake said as he patted his little sister on the head. "Jake!" Macy laughed. "Well, neither do you!" Dad smiled. "All teasing aside, these beautiful spring flowers Macy picked for us can help us remember to be thankful for our new life in Christ." –Lisa Fuller How About You? Did you know that when you trust Jesus as your Savior, you become a new creation? Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we could be made right with God and have eternal life with Him. He loves us that much. If you haven't trusted in Jesus yet, you can do it today and have new life! (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: This means that 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: Psalm 119:9-16 It was a chilly afternoon in early October, and Ben and Grandpa were out on the deck planting bulbs in flowerpots. Grandpa showed Ben how to bury the bulbs deep beneath heaps of soft, powdery compost. A week later, when Ben came to visit Grandpa again, he ran straight to the back door and looked eagerly for his daffodils and tulips. But all he saw was soil. "Why haven't my flowers grown, Grandpa?" he asked. Grandpa chuckled. "Don't worry. They'll be here in the spring! You just have to be patient." "The spring?" groaned Ben. "But that's forever!" "It'll be here before you know it," said Grandpa. Winter weather arrived. Christmas came and went. And before long, Ben had forgotten all about his bulbs. Then one spring day, it happened. "Ben, come look!" Grandpa said, beckoning Ben out to the deck. Ben gasped as he caught sight of his pot. It was filled with wonderful, colorful blooms! They looked so vibrant against the pale spring sky. "Worth waiting for?" asked Grandpa. Ben nodded. Later that evening, Ben groaned as he tried to memorize his verse for church. He kept getting the words muddled up. "What have you got there?" asked Grandpa, looking up from his crossword puzzle. Ben heaved a sigh. "It's a memory verse, but I can't seem to remember it!" He tossed the sheet of paper to one side and reached for his video game. "You know," said Grandpa, "learning Bible verses is a bit like planting bulbs. You go out into the cold and bury bulbs in the earth, and then you wait. Nothing. And then you wait some more. Still nothing. And then one day, when you've almost forgotten about them, you turn around and there they are, poking their cheery little heads up out of the soil!" Ben looked out at his flowerpot and smiled. He was really glad he'd taken the time to plant the bulbs. "But how is that like learning verses?" "As you meditate on God's Word, you bury it deep down in your heart so the Holy Spirit can use it to remind you of the truth and promises of Jesus. Sometimes you forget it's even there. But one day, the perfect verse pops into your head, just when you need it most! Don't give up, Ben. Keep learning those verses!" –Angela Jelf How About You? Do you know why learning Bible verses is so important? Like planting a bulb or a seed, you might not notice much change at first. But bit by bit, as you meditate on God's Word, the Holy Spirit makes His promises begin to take root inside you. Then, in due season, it will spring up and flourish. Keep reading the Bible and learning what it says, and trust God to fill your life with beautiful blooms! 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: Hide God's Word in your heart

Bible Reading: Romans 12:3-8 Kayleigh looked out the window as the familiar countryside whizzed past on the way to her grandparents' house. "We're here!" she exclaimed when she spotted it. "I see Grandpa in the backyard with his bees." She got out of the car and ran to the hives out back. As she approached, she saw her grandpa pull out a frame full of hundreds of bees. "Looks like they're working hard!" said Kayleigh as she watched the busy bees scurry around the frame. "Oh yes," said Grandpa. "The nurse bees are feeding the larva, the queen is laying the eggs, and other bees are cleaning or making honey. Bees even guard the entrance to the hive. Each of them has a special job so all the work gets done." Kayleigh watched one bee clean out a tiny cell. It didn't seem like the most fun job to her. "What if the bees didn't want to do their jobs and stopped working?" she asked. Grandpa raised his eyebrows. "Each job is vital to the hive, even the ones that don't seem as important. The colony wouldn't survive if the bees didn't do their work." "Even the cleaning?" asked Kayleigh. "Especially the cleaning!" Grandpa replied. "Bees are very hygienic." He looked at the bees on the frame thoughtfully. "It reminds me of what the Bible says in Romans. The church is one body with many members, just like the hive, and the members don't all have the same job. Some people teach, some lead, and others do things like serve those in need or find ways to encourage people. We need them all to have a healthy, functioning body of Christ that shares His love with the world." "Do I have a job in the church?" Kayleigh asked. Grandpa nodded. "We all have gifts and talents given to us by God. He will show you how you can use them to serve the church." Grandpa put the frame back into the hive. "And right now, little missy," he said with a smile, "I have a job for you." "What's that?" replied Kayleigh. "Go and ask Grandma when supper will be ready!" Kayleigh smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "Now that's a job I can definitely do!" –Tara Whicker How About You? Do you have a special gift that God has given you? Maybe it's encouragement or helpfulness or generosity. All our gifts are important in the body of Christ, and we should use them to serve the church. Trust God to guide your steps as you learn to recognize and use the gifts He has given you. Today's Key Verse: In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts...given to each of us. (NIV) (Romans 12:5-6) Today's Key Thought: All gifts are important

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-4; Titus 3:1-2 As his parents discussed plans for the coming weekend, Nolan took another helping of potatoes. "Hey! Pass the gravy," he said, interrupting their conversation. "And the salt too." Dad frowned at him. "Didn't you notice that your mother and I were talking? You interrupted us. And whatever happened to saying 'please'?" "Well, sorry," said Nolan. "But I need more gravy." Mom shook her head. "Nolan, you're being very rude. That's been happening too much lately." Nolan rolled his eyes. "It's not like we're out in a restaurant or at somebody's house or anything." "You mean you'd use better manners in a restaurant?" asked Dad. "Sure," said Nolan. "I try to remember to be polite when I'm with other people, but you don't expect me to be all proper around here at home, do you?" "We certainly do!" said Mom. "You seem to think that you only need to have good manners when you're with other people, but that's not true. Being polite and respectful is one way to show others that we care about them, and that's important all the time--especially at home." "Right," said Dad. "Developing good manners helps us think about others and how our actions affect them. It's one way we can show people the love of Jesus by putting their needs above our own. And home is the best place to practice." Nolan frowned. "Practice?" "Practice!" said Dad. "A football player practices to get ready for the Super Bowl, and a figure skater practices to get ready for the Olympics. And here at home, you can practice being thoughtful and respectful so you'll be ready to interact with others at school or in the neighborhood or anywhere else. Your mom and I will help you practice good manners here at home, and God will help you think of others and how you can show love and concern for them." He paused. "They say practice makes perfect, you know." "Well, I'm sorry I was rude," murmured Nolan. Dad smiled. "Apology accepted. I think you understand what we're saying. Do you have any questions?" Nolan looked down at his plate and grinned. "Yes. Can I please have some more of that delicious gravy?" –Bob Hostetler How About You? Does your behavior at home show respect and consideration of others? Or do you think that having good manners doesn't really matter around your family? Your home is the place God has provided for you to learn and practice behavior that shows love and kindness toward others. Let Him help you be considerate and respectful at home so you'll be prepared to think of others wherever you are. Today's Key Verse: Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith. (NLT) (Galatians 6:10) Today's Key Thought: Show respect at home

Bible Reading: Matthew 22:1-14; John 6:37-40 "Mom," said Tia when she arrived home from school. "You're not going to believe this!" "Believe what?" asked Mom. "Kayla took a babysitting job on the day of my party! You'd think she could turn down one job! And McKenna isn't coming either. Her family is going to the zoo, and McKenna wants to go along." Tia looked at her guest list and crossed off the names Kayla and McKenna. The next day, Tia was unhappy again. "Catherine forgot her cousin's wedding is on the day of my party," she told her mother. "And Zella says she has to take care of her little sister." Tia slumped into a chair. "You can't have a party without any guests! I think I'm just gonna call the whole thing off." "Now, wait a minute!" Mom sat down next to her. "You've invited several other friends. Some of them are planning to come, right? They may have turned down other invitations so they can go to your party. It wouldn't be fair to them if you cancel." Tia thought it over. "Okay. Then I'm going to throw the best party ever for the people who decide to come!" On Sunday, Tia went to church with a friend who lived on her street. As she listened to the pastor speak, she was surprised by what she heard. "God offers each of us an invitation," he said. "He invites everyone to come to Him for forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. But we can often be more interested in living for ourselves now than thinking about eternity." Tia had heard of Jesus dying on the cross, but she'd never thought of it as an invitation. She thought of her friends who had turned down her invitation to her birthday party. Had she refused God's invitation that had cost the life of His Son? "Even if we don't accept His invitation at first, God's offer still stands," the pastor continued. "He's always willing to receive those who change their minds and put their trust in Jesus." When the pastor ended his sermon with a prayer, Tia bowed her head and silently told God that she was ready to accept His invitation. –Nance E. Keyes How About You? Have you ever had someone reject something you offered? God offers us salvation through His Son, Jesus. Have you accepted His offer? Or have you turned it down? Don't reject Him any longer. When you accept His invitation to trust Jesus as your Savior, you'll receive God's gift of everlasting life. Don't wait. Trust in Jesus 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: [Jesus said,] "The one who comes to me I will by no means cast out." (NKJV) (John 6:37) Today's Key Thought: Accept God's Invitation

Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39 CRASH! "Oh no!" Carrying a coffee mug with a broken handle, Quon shuffled into the living room where Mom was on her computer. "I broke Dad's favorite mug," he wailed. "It fell when I was taking it out of the dishwasher." Mom took the mug and looked it over. "I know it was an accident, and Dad will understand. But I think we can fix it. Come with me." Quon followed Mom to the kitchen, where she took a small tube from a drawer. She removed the cap and squeezed a tiny bead of glue onto each end of the handle. Then she pressed the broken handle to the mug and held it for a few seconds. When she cautiously let go of the handle, it stayed in place. Setting the mug on the counter, she stood back and looked at it. "There," she said. "We'll give it time to dry before we touch it again. Dad will still be able to use it." "What will happen when we wash it?" asked Quon. "Won't the glue get wet and the handle come off again?" Mom shook her head. "Not if this glue is as good as people say it is. According to the reviews online, nothing will be able to break the handle off that mug." "I hope you're right," said Quon, picking up the tube of glue and reading the words printed on the side. "It says here that there's nothing in the world stronger than this glue." "Well, it may be the strongest glue out there, but I can definitely think of something much, much stronger," said Mom. "Really?" asked Quon. "What?" "God's love. The Bible says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. His love is so strong that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins so we could have eternal life with Him." Quon grinned. "You're right, Mom. No glue can hold up to that!" Mom picked up the mug and handed it to Quon. "Better tell Dad what happened so he can be extra careful when he uses this." "Okay, Mom," said Quon. "Thanks." –Lynn Stamm Rex How About You? Did you know that you are loved by God, and that nothing will ever change that? Jesus died for you and then rose again so you could live with Him forever. No matter what you've done, He loves you and offers you forgiveness. No matter what problems you face, He loves you and will help you through them. No matter what happens in this world, God loves you. What a wonderful God! Today's Key Verse: Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our LORD. (NLT) (Romans 8:39) Today's Key Thought: God always loves you

Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-27; Philippians 4:6-7 "God is great. God is good," prayed Theodore. "And we thank Him for our food. Amen." As he poured milk on his cereal, Theodore thought about the prayer he'd been reciting before meals ever since he was little. "Mom, why don't you ever say that prayer when you give thanks for our food?" "I said it a lot when I was a child," Mom replied. "But when I grew older, I wanted to pray in my own words." Theodore pondered that as he ate his cereal. He put the empty bowl in the dishwasher, and Mom wiped the table. "It's supposed to be very warm today," she said. "You might want to dig out some of your summer clothes." Theodore nodded and went to get ready for school. Soon he returned. "Mom, look at this shirt. Did it shrink?" "It's definitely too small," Mom said with a laugh. "But it didn't shrink. You grew!" She went to help him find a different shirt, but the summer ones were all too small. "It's okay," said Theodore as he pulled a long-sleeved shirt off a hanger. "I'll just wear winter shirts until I get summer ones that fit." "Well, we'd better go shopping soon," said Mom. "You've definitely outgrown all your summer clothes." Theodore looked at her thoughtfully. "You know what, Mom? I think I've outgrown some of my prayers too. The ones I recite before meals and at bedtime were fine when I was small, just like those shirts were fine a year ago. But now I think I'm ready to start praying in my own words." Mom smiled at him. "I can see you've grown--both physically and spiritually. And you're right, you're old enough to express your thoughts to God in your own words when you pray." "I'm just not sure I'll know what to say," said Theodore. "I don't think I'll be able to pray like you." "You don't need to pray the same way I do," said Mom. "Praying isn't a matter of what words you say, but of being sincere--talking to God from your heart. When you don't know what to say, remember that He already knows everything you need. As you learn to talk to God in your own words, He will use your prayers to help you grow in your relationship with Him." –Nance E. Keyes How About You? Are you still saying the prayers you learned when you were little? If you think about what they say and really mean them, that's fine. But as you grow physically, you should also grow in your prayer life. Instead of reciting words you've memorized, simply talk to God like you'd talk to a friend. Tell Him what's bothering you, ask Him for what you need, and thank Him for all He's done for you. Today's Key Verse: Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. (NLV) (Philippians 4:6) Today's Key Thought: Pray in your own words

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 "I miss Uncle Grant," said Scarlett. She watched her father pound a tent stake into the ground. "I know he's in heaven, but he always loved camping in the mountains with us, and now he can't do that. It doesn't seem right." Scarlett knew heaven was a happy place, but she kept wondering if it really could be that much better than the wonderful experiences she was having on earth. Of course, not everything on earth was good. Scarlett remembered the many months Uncle Grant had been sick and how he had grown thin and weak. He had often talked about going home to be with Jesus. A few days later, Scarlett woke up feeling cold and a little stiff. She pulled on a heavy sweater and went out to stand by the fire her dad had built. "I have to admit I wouldn't want a sleeping bag for my bed every night," she said. "I love camping, but I miss the comforts of home." Scarlett looked at the big pot of water Dad had placed over the fire. "Like hot showers," she added. "So you're getting tired of camping?" teased Dad. "Well, I wouldn't want to camp out all the time. I'm kind of glad we're going home today. Camping is fun, but it's always nice to go home afterwards." Dad smiled. "I agree. I think Uncle Grant felt a lot like you do, Scarlett. He loved being here on earth, enjoying God's creation and spending time with family and friends. But when God called him to his true home, he was glad to go. Even though you've had fun on this camping trip, you're looking forward to hot showers and sleeping in your own bed. And Uncle Grant knew that his life here on earth was only temporary, and now he's in his real home with Jesus--the place where he truly belongs." Scarlett sighed. "I still miss him though." "I do too," said Dad. "But we'll see Uncle Grant again. When we die, our spirits will go home to be with Jesus too, and we'll be reunited with Christians who have died. Then one day Jesus will resurrect our bodies and make the whole earth new, free of sin and sickness and death, and we'll live with Him there forever!" Scarlett smiled. "And we'll all enjoy being together in God's creation again." –Catherine Runyon How About You? Does the idea of going to heaven seem strange and maybe scary to you? Do you wonder how you can be happy for eternity without the things you enjoy so much in this life? The Bible doesn't tell us everything about heaven, but we know that when Jesus resurrects our bodies and makes everything new, it will be more wonderful than we can imagine. If you're a Christian, your true home is with Jesus--the place where you belong. Today's Key Verse: We would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (NLT) (2 Corinthians 5:8) Today's Key Thought: Home for Christians is with Jesus

Bible Reading: James 2:14-17 Hadley watched as Clemence hurried into their church classroom. The loose sole of her worn shoe slapped against the floor. Flap…flap...flap. She looked like she was trying to enter without anyone noticing her. Hadley knew Clemence's brother had been sick for a while and most of her family's money went toward doctor bills. Mrs. Perez, their teacher, held up her Bible. "Who will read today's verse for us?" A boy named Adam raised his hand. "Luke 3:11," Adam began. "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." "Now, what do you think this verse means?" asked Mrs. Perez. Hadley raised her hand. "It means that we should share with others in need. If you have something you don't need and know someone who needs it, give it to them." "That's right," said Mrs. Perez. "As believers, we have the power to be generous because Jesus was so generous to us, giving up His own life as a sacrifice for our sins. We could never give as much as Jesus has given to us, but we can be generous with what we have and share with others." Hadley thought of Clemence and her flapping shoe. She was much taller than Clemence and had outgrown several pairs of shoes, as well as many clothes that were still in great shape. Suddenly, she had an idea. "Mrs. Perez, that Bible verse made me think of a big box I have at home where I put things I don't need anymore," said Hadley. "What if I brought it in so it could be our giving box? We could use it to collect clothes, shoes, books, toys, or anything else we don't need anymore and then give those things to people who need them." "Yeah," said Adam. "We could even paint shirts on the box to help us remember the verse we read today!" "I love that idea!" said Mrs. Perez. "Okay, Hadley, you bring the box to class next week and I'll bring painting supplies." The kids cheered. Hadley smiled. When she thought of all Jesus had given her, she was excited to share what she had with others. After class, she'd let Mrs. Perez know that she wanted Clemence to have first pick of whatever was in the box. –Christine Collier How About You? Do you give to people in need? The Bible says that Christians show their faith in Jesus by helping others in need. Because Jesus has given us so much, we can give to others. Maybe you know someone who needs something in particular that you could help with. Even if you don't, there are lots of ways to give to people in your community and around the world. Ask God to show you what you can do to help. Today's Key Verse: Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same. (NIV) (Luke 3:11) Today's Key Thought: Give to those in need

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-14 "Mom, my skin is getting all itchy!" said Tate, holding out his arms. "There are bumps on my legs too." "Oh no!" said Mom. "I wonder why your allergies are acting up again. I haven't changed the laundry detergent or any of our soaps. I can't imagine what's causing an allergic reaction this time, can you?" Tate rubbed his arms. "When I was over at Barrett's this morning, we dressed up in some of his dad's old camouflage clothes. Maybe they were washed in something that's causing my reaction." "That's probably it," said Mom. "Well, go take a shower, and then we'll go get your prescription refilled." As Tate and Mom drove home after picking up the medicine, Tate sighed. "It's hard to remember that I always need to be so careful about stuff that touches my skin." "I know," said Mom. "You were just having fun when you put on those old clothes, and it's too bad you have to avoid things like that. But if you don't, you'll be sorry later on because of the negative reaction with your skin." "Yeah," said Tate. "We were just having so much fun this morning that I didn't even think about it." He rubbed his arm. "My allergies are reminding me now though. It's too bad they don't remind me ahead of time!" "Isn't that the truth!" said Mom. She smiled at Tate. "You know, all of us should think ahead about the consequences of what we do. There are other things we all need to avoid, even though they may seem like innocent fun." "Other things?" asked Tate. "Like what?" "Well, things we watch or do online, or going places where we might be tempted to do something wrong," replied Mom. "If we give in to temptation, it causes a negative reaction in our lives and hurts our relationship with God, and other people can be negatively affected by our sin too. That's why we need to confess our sins to Jesus and trust Him to help us avoid things that are harmful. He saved us so we could enjoy eternal life with Him, and He will help us turn from sin and live in a way that shows others His goodness and love." –Nance E. Keyes How About You? Are you allergic to anything? Some kind of food, or maybe pollen, bees, or soap? If so, you know it's best for you to avoid those things. As Christians, we need to avoid sin--it is harmful and can cause a very bad reaction in our lives and relationships. Before going into a situation where you may be tempted to sin, think carefully about the consequences. Then trust God to help you make a wise decision. Today's Key Verse: Stay away from every kind of evil. (CSB) (1 Thessalonians 5:22) Today's Key Thought: Avoid sin

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Revelation 21:1-4 Addison gazed at the glistening night sky and frowned. This family camping trip hadn't cheered her up a bit. She still felt sad about all the terrible things going on in the world. She sniffled when Mom came and sat beside her on the large tree stump. "I don't think I'm going to pray anymore. It doesn't seem to be making a difference." Mom took a wrinkled tissue out of her jeans pocket and gently wiped away Addison's tears. "Don't give up. Sometimes it takes a while to see our prayers answered." "How much longer will it take?" asked Addison with a deep sigh. "It depends. God answers prayer in His own time. Some prayers get answered in a day, some in a month, others take years. In fact, many of the blessings we enjoy today are the answers to people's prayers from long ago." Addison's eyes widened. "How can prayers prayed long ago be helping us today?" Mom pointed to the night sky. "See those brilliant stars we're enjoying tonight? Astronomers say that when we look at those stars, we're seeing light that took many years to reach our eyes." Mom pointed to a bright, twinkling light in the sky. "See that star? That's the North Star, and the light we see coming from it right now started its journey to earth hundreds of years ago." She smiled at Addison. "Now, I'm not saying you have to wait that long to see the results of your prayers, but sometimes there are prayers that take a long time to be answered. It's even possible you won't ever see the result of some of your prayers, but the light of those prayers will eventually reach the hearts of those they're meant to help." "Just like the light from the North Star eventually reached us," said Addison. "Exactly. Even though God doesn't always answer our prayers when or how we want Him to, we know He cares about what's going on in the world and about people who are hurting. He's at work, and one day Jesus will make everything right. Until then, we can trust Him to answer our prayers in the way and at the time He knows is best." Addison relaxed and observed the beautiful starry night. "I'm going to keep praying," she said thoughtfully, "because someday I know it will help someone." –Suzanne Daly How About You? Do you feel discouraged because your prayers don't seem to make a difference? Don't give up. God answers prayer in His own way and time, but you can be sure your prayers are never wasted or lost. They are like the stars in the sky that many generations will see and benefit from. So keep praying! Someday you'll be surprised by how many people you've helped Today's Key Verse: Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV) (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18) Today's Key Thought: Keep praying

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:7-12 Kiara wanted a pet bird--a green-winged macaw she could train and teach to talk. She prayed for one every night. Mom and Dad always shook their heads. "Macaws take a lot of work," they'd say. "And space." Kiara only wanted one gift. Why wouldn't they listen? Why wouldn't God answer her prayers? One morning, Dad knocked on Kiara's door. "Wake up! We're going somewhere special." Kiara jumped out of bed. After breakfast, they started driving. Kiara's heart sank when they passed the pet store. "I'm not getting a macaw?" "No," Dad said. "We don't think that's the best choice." Kiara blinked fast, holding back tears. "Here we are!" Mom said. They got out of the car and passed beneath an arch with the word Aviary on it. Kiara gasped. A walkway led between large enclosures that were fenced in from top to bottom. Each enclosure had its own sign--and its own type of bird. The aviary was a zoo for birds! "Do they have a green-winged macaw?" Kiara asked. "They sure do," Mom said. Kiara ran to the macaw enclosure. She read the sign and learned the macaws used to live in a house, but when their owner couldn't care for them, the aviary took them in. "They're probably happier here," Kiara said. "They have more space and lots of visitors." Mom and Dad nodded. "We thought you'd like coming here," Dad said. "If you want, we can get a membership. Then we can come a few times a month. What do you think?" "Yes, please!" Kiara beamed and pulled her parents into a family hug. As she watched the macaws, Kiara thought about how Mom and Dad didn't always give her the gifts she asked for, and neither did God. Kiara remembered the Easter story, how Jesus died and His friends were sad because they thought they'd never see Him again. But Jesus dying and rising again was the best gift of all. I guess we don't always know what we need, Kiara thought. But God sure knows how to give good gifts. She smiled. Thank you, God, for answering my prayer. –Becca Wierwille How About You? Have you ever felt like God didn't answer your prayer the way you wanted Him to? God wants us to talk to Him. He wants us to share our desires. But He doesn't always give us what we ask for. Sometimes, He has something better in mind--like how He sent Jesus to die for us so that we can enjoy His love forever. Enjoy the good gifts God gives you, even when they're unexpected. Today's Key Verse: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (NKJV) (Matthew 7:11) Today's Key Thought: God gives good gifts

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:26-27; 7:24-27 What a horrible week, Ella thought as she dropped her school bag on the table. First I failed my science test, then Aria got mad at me and now she won't talk to me. Just then Mom's voice drifted in from the back porch. "Ella, come look! A bird's making a nest in our yard." Ella walked out and saw a bird gathering twigs on the branch of an old oak tree. "Mom, that tree's no good! It's dying, isn't it? Almost all of its leaves have fallen off!" She called to the bird. "Make your nest in the apple tree!" It ignored her. Mom laughed. "It's no use. It's made up its mind to nest there." That night, the wind howled outside Ella's window, and rain fell down in great torrents. When Ella looked out the window the next morning, she saw the branch from the oak tree lying flat on the ground with bits of straw and twigs scattered around it. "Mom, the bird's nest fell down!" she cried. "Poor bird! What will it do now?" "I'm sure it will build another one," said Mom. Ella watched the bird fly around the fallen branch, twittering and chirping. Then it began to collect twigs and straw, and to Ella's surprise, flew across to the apple tree. "Well! I guess it's a good thing the nest fell down before it had eggs in it. Now the bird will have a home with lots of leafy branches for protection from rain and wind." Mom nodded. "It reminds me of a story Jesus told about a man who built his house on rock and another who built his on sand. When the storms came, the house on sand fell--just like that nest. But the one built on rock held firm. The Bible tells us Jesus is the Rock. When we build our lives on Him by trusting Him as our Savior, we can stand firm in life's storms knowing He is with us and promises to work everything out for our good." Ella smiled as she watched the bird rebuild its nest in the apple tree. I'm glad I've built my life on Jesus, she thought, and that He will help me through the bad week I'm having. –Tanya Ferdinandusz How About You? What is your attitude when bad things happen in your life? Do you think everything looks hopeless? Or are you able to stand firm in life's storms because you've built your life on the Rock--Jesus? Even in disastrous circumstances, we can stand firm on His promise of eternal life and the peace and hope He offers us in every situation. Trust Him to be with you through all of life's storms. Today's Key Verse: All things work together for the good of those who love God. (CSB) (Romans 8:28) Today's Key Thought: Build your life on Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-12; 1 John 1:9 Maya and her little brother River watched ants scurry up and down the tiny tunnels in her ant farm. "Look!" said River, pointing to one of the ants. "What is that one carrying?" After a moment, he added, "And why is that one digging a new tunnel? Oh! Is that one cleaning up? Did God make ants too?" "So many questions!" teased Maya. "Yes, God made ants too." "Are these ants just like the ones outside?" asked River. "I guess so. I'd say they're cousins, at least." Maya stood up. "I have to go study, but you can keep watching my ants. Just don't touch the ant farm." A little while later, Maya heard River run outside. Minutes later, she heard the screen door slam and River scurried by on his way to his room. When she went to check on him, he was lying on the bed with his head under the pillow. It was the way River had tried to hide when he was younger. "River, I see you," said Maya. "What happened? Why are you hiding in your bed?" Slowly, River pulled his head from under the pillow. "I wanted to show your ants to their cousins outside, but I dropped the ant farm," he said. "It broke, and some of the ants ran away." Tears ran down the little boy's cheeks. "I didn't want you to see!" "Oh, River!" Maya sighed. "Well, you might have hidden it from me, but you know God sees everything you do. You can't hide from Him. Just like you could see everything the ants did in their ant farm, God always sees you and everything you do." "I'm really sorry!" cried River. "I know, and I forgive you," said Maya. "And you know what? God will forgive you too. Instead of trying to hide our wrongs from Him, the Bible says to confess them to Jesus and He will forgive us. He died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, so we don't ever have to hide." River smiled. "I'm glad Jesus always forgives us." "Me too," said Maya. "Now let's go and pick up what's left of the ant farm." –Daryl B. Knauer How About You? When you've done something wrong, do you try to hide it? That might work with people, but never with God. He knows all about you--even what you're thinking--and there is no place where you can hide from Him. So don't try to hide. Instead, tell Jesus when you've done something wrong and ask Him to forgive you. He promises that He will! Today's Key Verse: You [God] know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. (ERV) (Psalm 139:3) Today's Key Thought: God sees everything

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-4 Sebastian quickly wrapped a rubber band around the faucet spray nozzle and ran back to the table. He watched his older sister rush into the kitchen and grab her water bottle. When she turned on the faucet, a fountain of water hit her in the face and she screamed. Sebastian laughed and stamped his feet on the floor. "April Fool!" "Sebastian!" Leigh shrieked, dripping wet. "That's not funny! I'm going to be late for school!" Leigh was still fuming when Mom walked in. "Sebastian made the faucet spew water at me, and now I have to go change. I'm going to be late, and I have a quiz in my first class!" Mom glared at Sebastian, who shrugged and said, "It's April Fools' Day--we always prank each other on April Fools'." Once Leigh had changed clothes and driven off, Mom got a bottle of orange juice from the fridge and sat down. "Sebastian, I know you were just having fun, but playing a prank like that on Leigh when she's in a hurry to get to school isn't funny. She's trying to get her grades up so she can apply for college. Thinking she might miss her quiz this morning really upset her." "Sorry, Mom," said Sebastian. "I guess I didn't think about it--it seemed like fun to me." "I know," said Mom. "But if it's only fun for you, it's not a good joke." She unscrewed the top on the orange juice. "So how do I know if something is okay or not?" asked Sebastian. "One thing to do is slow down and think things through. In the Bible, God tells us to think about others instead of just ourselves. We need to trust Him to help us love others the way He loves us by considering their needs and interests. If you had stopped to think about Leigh's feelings, you might have realized pulling a prank like that would upset her." "So is it ever okay to play an April Fools' joke on someone?" asked Sebastian. "Sure," said Mom as Sebastian reached for the orange juice. "Just make sure they're having as much fun as you." Sebastian tried to pour some juice into his cup, but nothing came out--it was frozen solid! Mom beamed at him. "April Fool!" They both erupted in laughter. –Courtney Lasater How About You? Do you like to play jokes on people? Pranks can be fun, but they should be fun for everyone involved--not just those playing the joke. If the prank you want to pull seems like it could be hurtful or upsetting to the other person, stop! Trust God to help you make loving decisions by thinking about how your actions could affect others. When you play a joke, make sure it's fun for everyone. Today's Key Verse: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (NKJV) (Philippians 2:4) Today's Key Thought: Think of others first

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:1-10; Romans 1:20-23 "Is not!" Santiago's voice rang throughout the house. "Is too!" Aria shouted back at her older brother. "Don't be so narrow-minded!" said Santiago crossly. "When you're older, you'll learn more about the world and find out you're not always right." "Well, Dad's older than you, and I'm sure he agrees with me!" Aria said, crossing her arms. She turned to her father, who was just coming into the room. "Santiago's been learning about different religions, and he thinks they're as good as ours," she said. "I didn't say that!" protested Santiago. "But you should be willing to listen to other people and think about what they say instead of being so sure you're the only one who's right." "Well, I learned a verse in church that says no one gets to heaven except through Jesus," said Aria. "Isn't that right, Dad?" Both of them looked at their father expectantly. "Yes, Aria," said Dad. "The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the only way to eternal life." "But some of the religious leaders we've been learning about in school were really good people," said Santiago. "It may seem that way, but think about this," said Dad. "Has your teacher told you about Mohammed's tomb? Or Buddha's grave? You could visit the places where those men are buried, right?" Santiago shrugged. "I guess so. I could visit the tomb where Jesus was buried too." "If you visited each of those graves or tombs, what would you find there?" asked Dad. Aria smiled. "You wouldn't find anything in Jesus's tomb, just like when Mary and the disciples saw it on Easter morning. But those other graves aren't empty." Dad nodded. "Aria's right, Santiago. Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, but then He rose again so all of us can have eternal life. The men you're learning about may have been very smart teachers--in fact, many of them mimic the teaching of Jesus. But not one of them took our sins upon himself, died to take our punishment, and then came back to life to save us. Those men are still dead. If you choose to trust in anyone other than Jesus, you are choosing death, not life." –Lore Wolif How About You? Do you know the difference between Christianity and other religions? Christianity is the only one that has a risen Savior. The leaders that started every other religion are dead, but Jesus is alive! He died, but He rose again. The only way to have eternal life is to trust in Him. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) On this Easter day, praise God for a living Savior! Today's Key Verse: [Jesus said,] "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (NKJV) (John 14:6) Today's Key Thought: Only Jesus brings life

Bible Reading: Romans 10:13-15 "Yum! Those hamburgers smell really good!" exclaimed Isla as her mom turned the meat on the grill. "I'll call Dad and Evelyn. They said they'd stay close enough to hear us." The family was camping in a mountain canyon, and Isla's dad and sister had gone to collect some firewood while Isla and Mom got their meal ready. Isla faced the high cliffs opposite the campsite, took a deep breath, and loudly shouted, "Yoo-hoo!" "Yoo-hoo!" came back to her, clear as a bell. "Supper!" yelled Isla. "Supper!" was the immediate response. Isla looked a little puzzled, then she grinned as Dad and Evelyn walked into the campsite. "When I heard 'yoo-hoo' coming from the other side of the canyon, I thought you were answering me, Evelyn," she said with a giggle. "But I knew you weren't calling me to supper. It was my own echo." "So you got acquainted with the friendly echo that lives on the canyon wall," said Dad with a smile. "Echoes don't live on canyon walls," said Evelyn. "They're made by sound waves bouncing back to us so that we hear the sound again." She grinned. "Now, can I please have a hamburger? I'm starving." After supper, Evelyn joined Isla in talking with the canyon echo. Finally, Isla called, "Good night," and then she listened as the echo repeated the message. "Echoes are fun," she said. "Did you know that we should be echoes too?" Dad asked. "What do you mean?" asked Evelyn. "How can we be echoes?" "Well," said Dad, "when God speaks to people today, they don't actually hear a voice. His words are found in the Bible--it tells us who He is, how much He loves us, and what Jesus did to save us. But since not everyone reads the Bible, Christians need to be echoes of God's love and truth in the world. We can do that by telling people about Jesus and showing the same love to others that He showed us when He died to pay for our sins." "So we're like God's echoes," said Isla. "Amen!" Dad said loudly--and they all listened quietly as the answering "Amen" wafted back from the canyon wall. –Trudy VanderVeen How About You? Are others hearing about Jesus as you echo the love and truth of God's words to us in the Bible? Think about your own life--how did you learn that Jesus loves you and died to save you? Was it echoed by parents? A teacher? A friend? Most people don't know about Jesus until someone shares God's message with them. If you know Jesus, be an echo for God so others can hear the good news. Today's Key Verse: Before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for anyone to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them. (ERV) (Romans 10:14) Today's Key Thought: Be an echo of God's love