Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21 As she sat working on her homework alone, Star didn't feel very loved. It was a holiday weekend, and all her friends had plans. Megan's parents were taking her to a waterpark. Emma was practicing tennis all weekend with her dad. Mila and her siblings were having fun playing on their new trampoline. Star's mom was working in her home office. She didn't have a dad around or any siblings to spend time with. All she had was homework she had saved for the weekend, just to give herself something to do. Star frowned at the paper in front her. Why had her teacher assigned her the word love to write about? She didn't know anything about love. She picked up her phone and called Mila. She had to convince her friend to take a break from the trampoline so they could talk. "How am I supposed to write about love?" she asked. "No one loves me." Mila snorted. "No one? What about me? And Emma and Megan?" "That's…different." Star hadn't thought of her friends as she was considering the topic. "What about your mom?" Mila asked. "She loves you." Star glanced toward her mom's office. "She doesn't spend time with me." "Because she's busy," Mila said. "She's busy because she loves you and needs to work to take care of you." She sighed. "What about God, Star? Aren't you forgetting that He loves you?" Star twisted her hair around her finger. Maybe she had forgotten God. "Sometimes it doesn't feel like it." "Maybe not," Mila said. "But He really does, Star. Like we learned at church, His love is bigger than any human love. Jesus died on the cross so you could live with Him forever. What love is bigger than that?" Star nodded slowly. "You're right." "You don't need to go on a trip or get amazing gifts in order to be loved," Mila said. "But, Star? I really am loving the new trampoline and I would like to get back to it. Since your mom is working, want me to ask my mom to give you a ride over so you can try it out?" Star's eyes widened. "Really?" "Really," Mila said. "Because I love you." She laughed. "Don't forget how much God loves you too, Star." –Emily Acker How About You? Have you had times when you felt like you were not loved at all by anyone? God's love is greater than the love of any human--He loves you so much that He sent His Son to save you so you could spend eternity with Him, and He promises to always love you and take care of you. If you think about all the people He's put in your life, you'll probably realize you're loved by many others too. Today's Key Verse: As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. (NKJV) (John 15:9) Today's Key Thought: God has great love for you!

Bible Reading: Exodus 20:12-15; Ephesians 4:25-32 Alastair walked into the kitchen where his sister Stasia was doing homework. "Emerson got in trouble again," said Alastair. "I can't believe he's going to flunk math over this!" Stasia looked up in surprise. "Over what? What did he do?" "Mr. Hoover caught him looking at somebody's paper during a test," Alastair replied. "Emerson said he was just checking one or two answers. That's all. I think Mr. Hoover just hates Emerson, so he's making a big deal out of nothing." "Well, if Emerson was caught cheating, what did he expect?" Stasia asked. "It's not like he was stealing somebody's money during gym class," said Alastair, trying to make his sister understand. "Other kids in school do a lot worse stuff than what Emerson did." Alastair turned to Mom, who was loading the dishwasher. "Can you hand me a glass, Mom? I'd like some juice." "Sure," said Mom, and she handed him a dirty glass. Alastair grimaced. "Yuck! I can't drink out of this. There's still dried milk in the bottom of it." "But it's cleaner than these others that need to be washed," Mom said. Alastair didn't say anything right away. He was pretty sure this had something to do with what they were just talking about, and he was trying to figure out what it was. "After all," Mom continued, "if cheating is no big deal because it doesn't seem as bad as what somebody else did, then a little dried milk in a glass shouldn't be a big deal either, as long as it's not as dirty as the other glasses." "Oh, well, I…um…" Alastair didn't know what to say. "It can be easy for us to excuse the wrongdoing of our friends--and especially our own wrongs--because someone else did something that seems worse," Mom explained. "But it's all sin in God's eyes. After all, cheating is stealing too--it's stealing the work someone else did and claiming it as your own, which is a sin, and it hurts them just as much as if you were stealing their money." Alastair nodded. "Sorry, Mom." He looked at the glass in his hand. "I guess I'll wait to have some juice, since all the glasses are dirty." –Mike A. Dize How About You? Do you think it's okay to do some things because they don't seem as bad as other things people do? Do you overlook cheating or lying because it's not as bad as robbery or murder? God says all wrongdoing is sin. No matter what other people think about it, it's hurtful to others and disobedient to God. Don't excuse any form of wrongdoing. If you're the one at fault, confess your sin to Jesus and He will forgive you. Today's Key Verse: All wrongdoing is sin. (NIV) (1 John 5:17) Today's Key Thought: All wrongdoing is sin

Bible Reading: Matthew 14:22-23; Mark 1:35-39 Micah ran into the house and threw his backpack on the kitchen table. "Mom! Do we have any frozen pizza?" He cocked his head. The house was silent. He looked down and noticed Mom's phone on the counter. That's weird, he thought. She usually carries it with her. Micah walked back to his parents' bedroom and knocked. Mom opened the door. "Oh, hi, honey. I didn't hear you come in." "You left your phone in the kitchen, Mom." "I know, Micah," said Mom. "I was praying, and I didn't want to be disturbed." "Praying? In the middle of the day?" Mom smiled. "I always have prayer time while your sister naps. I'm usually finished before the bus drops you off. I guess I had a lot to tell God today!" "But we pray together--at the dinner table, and at church. Isn't that enough?" "Praying together is very important, but the Bible says to pray without ceasing--that means continually connecting with Him and seeking His wisdom in our lives. So it's good to spend time with Him on our own too. I find it helpful to have a place of solitude to do that. Even Jesus needed a quiet space sometimes--he often went onto a mountain to pray." Micah considered this. "Maybe I should find a place of solitude too!" First Micah tried the living room. He sat on the couch, closed his eyes, and-- "Hey, Micah!" His little sister Sophie plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV. "Time for my cartoons!" Next Micah tried his bedroom. He shoved the toys off the bed, closed his eyes, and-- A big wet tongue gave his cheek a slobbery kiss. "Not now, Puddles!" Micah laughed and scratched the old hound dog behind the ears. "I'm looking for solitude--but this house is too crowded!" A swirl of rustling leaves outside the window caught his eye. "I've got it!" he said and ran out of the house. He climbed the strong branches of the oak tree and closed his eyes, feeling the spring breeze brush his face. Jesus climbed a mountain to find solitude, thought Micah. I only have to climb a tree! –Jennifer Dillard How About You? Do you take a break from your everyday activities to spend time with God? If you find it hard to connect with God with everything going on around you, try to find a quiet place to pray. Jesus even had to take a break from those around Him to spend time with God. Take a moment away from the world's noise and busyness and connect with God. Today's Key Verse: Pray without ceasing. (NKJV) (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Today's Key Thought: Spend time with God

Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:11-13 Isaiah sat at the table ready to eat breakfast. While his mom poured a bowl of cereal, he noticed something about her that felt as familiar as her ears; he noticed the silver chain around her neck with a small dice charm at the end. "Mom, why do you always wear that necklace?" Isaiah asked. Mom slid the bowl of cereal and a spoon across the table. "Good question," she said as she poured her own bowl of cereal. "Do you remember my grandpa, your Great-Grandpa Anderson?" "Kind of," Isaiah said. "Didn't he die when I was really little?" "Yes," Mom said. "When you were three. I wear this to remember him." "Doesn't it just make you sad?" Isaiah asked as he picked up his spoon. "I do feel sad," Mom answered. "And that's okay. I miss him so much. When I see this dice charm, I remember the way he loved me no matter what. I remember how he took broken things and restored them, like that classic car that's still in your great-grandma's garage. When he bought the car, it was basically a pile of rust. But when he finished his work, the car gleamed and looked new, and he hung fuzzy dice from the rearview mirror. These are things I want to remember, things that remind me not only of my grandpa, but also of Jesus and how He loves us and restores us." "I'm going to think of that story now when I look at your necklace too," Isaiah said. As he munched another spoonful of cereal, Mom said, "A lot of the Bible is about remembering--remembering who God is and what He has done, remembering His love and promises. While we're sad about sin and pain, diseases and death, reading the Bible helps us remember the past and have hope for the future." "I feel sad when I think about Joel's little brother having leukemia," Isaiah said. "Is there a Bible story that can give me and Joel some hope?" "Jesus healed many people when He was on earth, and those healings point to His promise to end pain, sickness, and death forever when He comes again." Mom reached for her Bible. "I'll look up some stories and verses we can read together when you get home from school." –Rachel Lubow How About You? What is your favorite Bible story? How does it show you who God is? How does it give you hope? We all feel sad, confused, afraid, and lonely sometimes. One of the ways God gives us hope is by reminding us that He keeps every promise He makes, which is one of the things we learn about Him in many stories written in the Bible. Read it to remember what God has done and that He is faithful. Today's Key Verse: Remember the wondrous works He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced. (CSB) (1 Chronicles 16:12) Today's Key Thought: Remembering God's work gives us hope

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:8-14 Iris pointed to an oak tree along the bike path where she was riding with her dad and her brother, Ethan. "Half the leaves on that tree are green, and half are brown!" she said. Ethan laughed. "I guess it can't decide whether it's spring or fall." Dad stopped his bike under the tree. "Those brown leaves are left over from last year," he said. "This kind of oak is very unwilling to let its leaves drop in the fall. Even the strong winds and heavy snowfall of winter are often unable to tear them from the branches." "Well, the tree would look nicer if it would just let those ugly, useless old leaves drop," said Iris. "Maybe the tree is a lot like us," said Dad. "Sometimes we cling to ugly things too--like sinful thoughts and actions." "Like calling people bad names," said Ethan. "You do that, Iris." Iris sighed "I know," she said, "but at least I don't go around pointing out other people's faults and ignoring my own." She frowned at her brother. "Okay, I admit it," said Ethan. "I don't know why I always notice the mistakes others make more than the good stuff they do." As they got back on their bikes, Iris asked, "What makes those brown leaves finally fall? I know they don't stay on the tree all summer." "When new leaves grow and cover the tree, they push the old ones off," replied Dad. "The old ones must give way to the new--and you know what? Our lives as Christians are like that too. The Bible says our old habits and desires are sinful, like dead leaves. But when we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit changes us into new creations and puts His love and desires in our hearts, like fresh leaves in the spring." "So we want the new leaves in our lives to push off the dead ones?" asked Iris. Dad nodded. "The tree grows new leaves by giving more energy and nutrients to the new growth," he explained. "And Jesus gives us the power to let go of our old ways and live in a way that shows others the new life we have in Him." –Trudy Vander Veen How About You? Are there sins or bad habits in your life that you can't seem to get rid of? We all have "dead leaves" like that, but Jesus offers forgiveness and hope. He's given us the Holy Spirit so we have the power to replace those dead things with words and actions that bring life. Trust Him to help you let go of old habits and live the new life of love He's given you. Today's Key Verse: But on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. (NLT) (Ephesians 4:24) Today's Key Thought: Live your new life in Jesus

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:31; 2:1-3; Hebrews 12:2-3 Ari smudged a grey blotch in the sky painted on his canvas. "Can't get this right," he said to himself. Mom looked in at his bedroom door. "Did you finish your math?" Ari nodded. "Looks like you finished your painting for the art fair," Mom said. Ari shook his head, and Mom left. Four-year-old Becca ran into the room holding a teapot. "Time for tea!" she yelled over and over while running in circles around Ari's easel. "Becca! You're a nuisance! Go away!" he growled. Becca fell silent. She stood still and stared at Ari, then quietly left the room with the teapot hanging down by her side. Ari's shoulders drooped. He set down his brush and went to Becca's room. "I'm sorry, Becca. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You're not a nuisance. I'd like some tea." Becca skipped over to a little table set for tea. "Oh, goody! That's your green cup." After two cups of pretend tea and cake, Ari felt pretend full. "Your tea is good, Becca, but I have to work on my painting now. Okay?" Becca nodded. Later Mom came in to look at Ari's painting while he fussed with lines on a tree trunk. "I can't get this right," he said. "I'll never finish. It's a good thing God isn't like me, or the earth never would've gotten created. Just think, Mom, He didn't have to correct anything. He didn't make any mistakes." "And He knew when He was done," Mom added. "I don't think I'll ever be done with this painting." Ari sighed. "Or with doing things wrong. I yelled at Becca again this morning. I said I was sorry, but I wish I'd be kind to her to begin with." "Ari, you do wrong things because we're all still dealing with sin in this world. But you're like an art project of God's. Because He's your Savior and Lord, He'll finish His project in you the same way He finished making the world. The Bible says God started a good work in you and will complete it perfectly on the day Jesus returns." Ari smiled and began to clean his brushes. "I can't make my art perfect, but I'm glad I have a perfect Creator who's working on me." –Laura Roesler How About You? Do you ever feel bad about something you said or did? Do you get frustrated because you keep doing wrong things? Even as a Christian, you'll still struggle with sin in this world, but Jesus promises to forgive you when you admit your sin. God is at work in you, helping you be more loving to others and obedient to Him. You are His work of art, and you can trust Him to finish what He started. Today's Key Verse: He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV) (Philippians 1:6) Today's Key Thought: God finishes what He starts

Bible Reading: Mark 4:35-41 BOOM! Seven-year-old Carter sat up in bed. Rain spattered against the window, and lightning streaks made his room as bright as day. He could see his favorite teddy bear propped in a corner. BOOM! Another loud crash of thunder. Carter burrowed under his covers, a pillow pressed over his ears. From under the blankets, Carter peeked toward the wall where the rosy glow of a nightlight usually shone, but between flashes of lightning, only blackness filled the room. Cautiously, he poked the button of a little table lamp near his bed, but instead of warm, friendly light, there was nothing. Trembling, he buried himself even deeper in his bed. Rain poured down harder outside, sounding as if someone were hurling tennis balls against the house. Wide awake now, Carter wondered if he dared make a run for his parents' room. Just then he felt a soft touch through his blanket. "Mom?" he asked in a muffled voice. "I'm here, honey." Carter looked out from his blanket tent and, as another flash of lightning illuminated the room, saw his mother in her fuzzy green robe standing next to him. Another BOOM shook the house. "Noisy, isn't it?" said Mom. As she sat down on the edge of Carter's bed, the power came back on. With Mom there, and with the familiar light filling the room, Carter no longer felt afraid. "Did you remember that Jesus is right here with you, Carter?" asked Mom. "He was watching over you even before I came in. He controls the wind and rain, you know. We don't have to be afraid because He's with us." Carter began to feel sleepy as he listened to his mother's comforting voice. Her hands closed around his, and he heard her saying, "Thank You, Jesus, for loving Carter and especially for being here with him during the storm." Outside, the storm rumbled farther away while rain dripped quietly from the roof. Through almost-closed eyes, Carter saw his mom turn the light off and tiptoe from his room. "Thank You, Jesus," whispered Carter. "I'm so glad You're always here." He yawned, snuggled under his covers, and soon fell asleep. –Phyllis I. Klomparens How About You? Are you afraid of thunderstorms? Or maybe there's something else that scares you, like meeting new people or being alone in the dark. When you're in a situation that makes you feel scared, remember that Jesus is with you and trust Him to comfort you and help you not be afraid. He loves you so much that He gave His life to save you, and He is always watching over you. Trust Him to take care of you. Today's Key Verse: [Jesus] said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (NIV) (Mark 4:40) Today's Key Thought: Jesus is always with you

Bible Reading: Matthew 15:7-9; Titus 1:15-16 "Look," said Adrian, pointing to an insect he and his sister Eva had caught out in the garden. "Maybe it's praying!" Sure enough, the bug's forelegs were folded together as if in prayer. "Let's see if we can find out what it is." The kids searched online and found a picture of the bug they had caught. "It's a praying mantis," said Adrian. "Does it really pray?" asked Eva. Adrian laughed. "Of course not! Bugs don't pray. I wonder what we should feed it?" He scrolled down the page. "This says they eat other insects and like to eat their prey alive." "Gross!" said Eva, wrinkling up her nose. "It says here that if you put a small piece of meat on a string and move it in front of a praying mantis, he may think it's alive and eat it," said Adrian. "Let's try it!" Adrian put a tiny piece of hamburger on the end of a string, and sure enough, the mantis lunged for it. "So, did your new pet like the food you gave him?" asked Mom. Adrian nodded. "The website we found said praying mantises are vicious little creatures. It said the female will even eat her husband if she gets hungry enough." "You little hypocrite," said Mom, looking at the bug. "You look so faithful and devoted with your forelegs folded like that, but you're a pretender--you don't mean it at all." Eva giggled. "That would be a good name for him." So Pretender he became. Whenever Adrian looked at Pretender, he felt a bit funny inside. At dinnertime he folded his hands and said "Amen" after his parents, but he never cared to listen to what was being said. I'm just like that bug, he thought. I'm not really praying--I'm just pretending. Adrian knew Jesus loved him, and he pretended he loved Jesus too. But he had never asked Jesus to be his Savior. As Adrian snuggled down into his blankets one night, God seemed to be whispering to him, Haven't you been a pretender long enough? Suddenly, Adrian tossed off the blankets and got up. I'm going to talk to Mom and Dad! he thought. I want to quit pretending and become a real Christian. –Matilda H. Nordtvedt How About You? Are you just going through the motions so others think you're a Christian? Are you more focused on fitting in or pleasing your parents than on God and what He thinks? God loves you so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for your sins so you could have eternal life with Him. He wants a real relationship with you, not a pretend one. Become a real Christian by trusting 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: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (NIV) (Matthew 15:8) Today's Key Thought: Don't be a pretend Christian

Bible Reading: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 45:7; 1 Corinthians 10:10-12 "Hey, Amy! Don't forget to get the wastebasket from my room," said Greyson as he opened the door to go out. Amy scowled at him. "I hate taking out the trash." She turned to her mother. "Greyson always gets the easy stuff to do while I have to tramp around the house collecting smelly old garbage!" "You chose that job for this month," Mom reminded her. "You said you were tired of dusting and folding laundry and that Greyson always got the easy jobs--like emptying the trash." Amy muttered to herself as she left to start collecting wastebaskets. A little later, the back door squeaked loudly as Greyson pushed it open and came back in. "That squeaky door is driving me crazy!" Amy said crossly. "Quit going in and out, Greyson." Her brother grinned and turned back toward the door. "I think I left something outside. I'll be back in a minute." He swung the door back and forth. "Mom, make him stop!" Amy whined, covering her ears. "Enough, Greyson," said Mom. "Quit teasing." Just then Dad opened the squeaky door. "I guess it's about time for me to oil these hinges," he said. "They're complaining pretty loudly." He let the door squeak shut behind him as he walked in. "Remember the Bible verses we read for devotions last night--the ones about the Israelites after they left Egypt? They complained a lot--just like this screen door. It needs oil, and I think they needed to apply oil to their lives by remembering God was with them and promised to take care of them. Perhaps that would be what the Bible calls the oil of joy." "Yeah. Some people around here need some of that oil too," said Greyson, giving his sister a grin. Amy sighed. "I guess I have been pretty squeaky lately." "Well, you can apply oil to that squeak by remembering the joy you have in Jesus," said Dad. "He saved us from sin so we could be filled with the joy of knowing Him for all eternity. We can experience that joy by remembering He loves us and is always with us--even when things don't go our way." Amy straightened up. "Okay…sorry for complaining. Now, who has trash they'd like me to get rid of?" –Maria I. Sellers How About You? Do you complain a lot? Are you constantly telling those around you about every little thing that isn't exactly the way you'd like it? If so, you need to apply some oil of joy to your life. Remember how much Jesus loves you and all that He has done for you. Instead of complaining, praise Him and trust Him to help you learn to be content with what He's given you. Today's Key Verse: Do everything without complaining or arguing. (ERV) (Philippians 2:14 ) Today's Key Thought: Don't complain

Bible Reading: John 14:25-27 Ian and Matilda's new golden retriever puppy gnawed on an old shoe. "Ringo sure played hard today," Ian said. "He never rests!" "Kids!" Mom called. "It's time to put Ringo to bed." Ian and Matilda had promised they would take care of their new puppy. This was Ringo's first night with the family, and the kids were eager to keep their promise. "Come on, Ringo," said Matilda. She lifted the puppy and carried him to the soft doggie bed at the end of the hall. "Sleep tight," said Ian, patting Ringo's head. The puppy looked at the kids for a moment, then hopped out of the bed. "Maybe he needs a blanket," said Matilda. Ian found an old quilt, and Matilda tucked it around Ringo. The puppy looked at them with sad eyes. "He's still not happy," said Ian. "I heard a ticking clock helps new puppies sleep," said Matilda. "It sounds like the mama dog's heartbeat." She got an alarm clock and buried it in the quilt. Ringo lay in the bed, and his eyes began to close. The kids began tiptoeing down the hall when suddenly the puppy jumped out of bed and scampered after them. "He's lonely out here," said Ian. Matilda nodded. "I think we can fix that." They picked up Ringo's doggie bed and took it down the hall to their room. Ten minutes later, Ringo was sound asleep in his bed, his face nestled in the thick quilt, his ear pressed against the softly ticking clock. Ian looked down from the top bunk. "Ringo's finally resting. He looks so peaceful." Matilda smiled. "It's kind of like the peace we get from Jesus." "What do you mean?" asked Ian. "Well, Ringo wasn't able to rest until we moved him in here--he wasn't at peace until he felt our presence. And when we feel Jesus's presence, it gives us peace so we can rest too. And just like the blanket and clock helped Ringo feel loved and not alone, things like prayer, reading the Bible, and worshiping with other Christians help us feel at peace by reminding us that Jesus loves us and is with us." Ian watched Ringo breathe deeply. "Let's say our prayers before we go to sleep. I want to feel that peace tonight!" –Jennifer Dillard How About You? What helps you feel the peace of God? Singing songs? Reading the Bible? Praying? When you feel anxious or worried, remember Jesus wants you to rest in Him. If you know Him as your Savior, He has given you the Holy Spirit to bring you peace. Find ways to remind yourself that Jesus loves you and is with you, and His comfort and rest will follow. Today's Key Verse: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. (NKJV) (John 14:27) Today's Key Thought: Seek peace and comfort in Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 23:4; Romans 5:1-5 "It looks like Dad's getting ready to mow the lawn," said Evelyn as she and her mother worked in the flower garden. Mom nodded as she looked out across the lawn in front of their house. "It will be the first mowing of the year, and it's time--just look at all those dandelions!" The yellow flowers had popped up everywhere. Evelyn thought they were pretty, but her parents appreciated their beauty more in the woods behind the house than on the front lawn. Soon the mower roared to life. Evelyn and Mom watched as the dandelions began to disappear. When Dad was finished, the whole lawn looked green. "That looks much better," said Mom. "For a lawn, I guess it does look better without the dandelions," said Evelyn. "But I still think they're pretty." Mom smiled. "Well, just give them a little time, and they'll be back again. Dandelions have long, tough roots, and when they're nourished by sun and rain, the plant simply grows back after the top is cut off." "I know," said Evelyn. "I remember pulling all kinds of weeds in the garden last year. Dad said we had to be sure to get the roots so the weeds wouldn't grow back. I remember wishing they didn't have such long roots!" "You know," said Mom, looking at Evelyn, "as I watched Dad mow today, it occurred to me that we as Christians can sometimes feel cut down by things that happen in our lives--things that cause disappointment and sadness." Evelyn sighed. "You mean like how I feel about Mia moving away?" "I know it's hard not to be able to see your best friend every day," Mom said. "But if our roots are deeply planted in Jesus and the truth of His love for us, we'll receive nourishment and care from God. We can trust Him to be with us through our troubles and help us come out of them even stronger than we were before." "So sometimes long, deep roots are a good thing." Evelyn grinned. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm kinda glad the dandelions have them too!" –Dorothy R. King How About You? Do you ever feel cut down by the difficulties in your life? Being a Christian doesn't mean you won't ever have any problems, but it does mean you won't have to face them alone. Root yourself in Jesus. He is always with you, and you can experience His peace when you rest in His presence and love. Praying, reading the Bible, and worshiping Him are a few ways to seek His care when life is difficult. Trust Him to give you strength and help you grow. Today's Key Verse: Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. (NLV) (Colossians 2:7) Today's Key Thought: Be rooted in Jesus

Bible Reading: John 11:32-44 Evan held back tears as he sat down on the porch step beside his best friend. "Teddy was the best cat I ever had." He sniffled. "I'm going to miss him." Peter nodded. "He was pretty awesome. I'm sorry he died." He nudged his friend's shoulder. "It's okay to cry." "I'm not crying!" Evan quickly said, his face turning red. He didn't want his friend to think he was being a baby about this. "It's okay if you are," Peter said. "Even Jesus cried." Evan's brows knit together. "What?" "Jesus cried when his friend Lazurus died," Peter said. "My uncle told me about it when my grandma passed away last summer. He said it's okay for everyone to cry when they're sad, even us guys." Evan wasn't sure he believed his friend, so he asked his dad about it later that evening. "Peter's right," Dad said. "Jesus did cry. Look, it's here in John eleven." He pointed to a page in his Bible. Evan looked over his shoulder, his eyes widening at the two words. "Jesus wept," he read. "It's okay to be sad about your cat, and it's okay to cry." Dad got up from his chair and put an arm around Evan. "There are a lot of sad things going on here on earth." Evan leaned into his dad. "I miss Teddy." "I know. I'm sorry," Dad said. "But no matter what happens here on earth, we never have to be sad forever. Do you know why?" "Because of heaven?" Evan asked. Dad smiled. "Exactly. Jesus cried because He experienced pain and sadness just like we do. But after He wept for Lazarus, He raised him from the dead! That's the hope He gives everyone who trusts in Him--hope of eternal life. Even though all kinds of sad things happen here on earth, Jesus will one day put an end to sin, sadness, and even death itself." Evan blinked back tears. "We won't have to be sad anymore?" "Nope." Dad squeezed his shoulder. "Because everything will be perfect. And I'm sure God will help you feel happy again before then too. But for now, it's okay to cry about Teddy when you miss him." –Bethany Acker How About You? When you're sad, do you let yourself cry? It's okay to cry when sad things happen--Jesus cried when He was sad too. He understands your pain because He experienced the same feelings we do. But we don't have to be sad forever, because Jesus came to give us hope. He died for us and then rose from the dead so that one day He could wipe all our tears away. Today's Key Verse: Jesus wept. (NKJV) (John 11:35) Today's Key Thought: Jesus cried too

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:9-14 When Jack came into the living room, his dad was watching the news. He heard the end of a report about a man trying to collect a large inheritance. "If that man's parents died, why can't he get the money that was left?" asked Jack after Dad turned off the TV. "He ran away from home when he was sixteen years old," Dad explained. "That was thirty years ago, and he never contacted his family again. They searched and searched for him and found out he'd moved to another state. They wanted to have a relationship with him again and made repeated efforts throughout the years to contact him--including several visits to the city where he lived. But he wouldn't even speak with them." Jack frowned. "But he's back now, so won't he get at least some of the money?" "Apparently not. His parents gave up trying to get a response from him and didn't include him in their wills." "But now, after they've both died, he finally shows up and thinks he should have the inheritance?" asked Jack. "Yes, but now it's too late," replied Dad. "He contested the will, but the courts upheld it. They said he's not entitled to any of the money." "Wow!" said Jack. "I bet he's sorry he didn't make up with his parents when he had the chance." Dad nodded. "He not only lost the inheritance--he missed out on having a relationship with his parents too. He learned a hard lesson--and, sadly, a very common one." "You mean there are lots of people who leave home and refuse to have a relationship with their parents?" asked Jack in surprise. "That happens often enough," said Dad. "But I was thinking of the inheritance God offers to everyone through Jesus Christ. Because of our sin, we're cut off from God, so He sent Jesus to restore our relationship with Him. But if we refuse His offer of reconciliation, then we miss out on having a relationship with God. When life ends, we're going to want the inheritance--eternal life--given to those who are part of God's family, but it's going to be too late. That's why it's important to accept God's offer to have a relationship with Him now, while we still can." –Heather M. Tekavec How About You? Will you be able to claim the inheritance God offers? He's offering something far better than money--a relationship with Him and life that lasts for all eternity. It's available to anyone who trusts in Jesus. Someday it will be too late to accept His offer, so don't put it off. Trust Jesus as your Savior today and become part of God's family. (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: Because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God. (NLT) (Ephesians 1:11) Today's Key Thought: God offers an inheritance--eternal life