Bible Reading: Matthew 4:18-22

Ruben sighed. He wished a fish would take the bait on his hook. At last the bobber began to jiggle. "I've finally got

a bite!" Ruben jerked the pole quickly, but there was no fish, and most of the bait was gone.

"That must be the big one that got away," Grandpa said with a chuckle as he handed Ruben a fresh worm to put on the hook. "Don't give up. Try again."

A little later, Ruben pulled up his line again. "I got one this time!" He took a fish off the hook and put it in the pail of water.

"You sure did!" said Grandpa. "Let's see how many more we can catch."

After Ruben and Grandpa caught several more fish, Grandpa put the oars in place and rowed for shore. "Jesus talked to His disciples about fishing," Grandpa said as he pulled on the oars. "Some of them fished for a living, so they understood fish talk. Do you remember what Jesus said they should do?"

"He told them to fish for people." Ruben grinned. "But how do you do that, Grandpa? People don't eat worms."

Grandpa laughed. "That's true. So you need to offer them a different kind of food--spiritual food. You offer them the Bread of Life. That's what Jesus called Himself, remember? He's the only one who can satisfy our souls and give us true life."

Ruben thought about that for a moment. "People don't always bite though."

"No, they don't," said Grandpa. "Some don't want to hear about Jesus at all. Others are like fish that just nibble--they're curious at first, but lose interest after a while. But…" Grandpa's eyes sparkled like the water around the boat. "Other people are like the fish we caught. They want to know all they can and eventually decide to trust Jesus as their Savior." He pointed to the fish in the bucket. "We kept on fishing even though they weren't biting at first, right? And it paid off. We need to keep fishing for people too."

Ruben grinned as he admired the fish they had caught. "So even when it seems like they're not biting, we have to keep telling people about Jesus."

–Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Do you fish for people? Do you share your faith and tell others about Jesus and how much He loves them? It can be frustrating when people don't seem to want to listen, but don't give up. Let others know what He's doing in your life--maybe by mentioning a prayer that was answered or a Bible verse that helped you during a rough time. Most importantly, keep praying for those who don't know Jesus and showing them His love.

Today's Key Verse:
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." (NIV) (Matthew 4:19)

Today's Key Thought:
Fish for people

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-17

Thea turned a page and showed a picture of Papa Bear to her little sister, then continued to read the story aloud. "'Who's been eating my porridge?' growled Papa Bear."

Their brother Eamon spoke up. "Papa Bear could have found out who ate it if he had lifted fingerprints from his spoon. Everybody has a different set of prints. No two are alike--ever. Match the prints and you've got the criminal."

"That's great, Eamon. Now let us finish the story," said Thea.

But Eamon grabbed his magnifying glass and held it above Thea's fingers. "See those ridges? They leave a mark on everything you touch. Police investigators use special powders to dust for fingerprints. The powder sticks to the invisible ridge marks. The investigator carefully brushes away the dust between the ridges and takes a picture of it." Eamon sat back. "The print can be lifted with print-lifting tape too."

"Eamon! We don't care about fingerprints right now. We just want to read the story," said Thea.

"Well, I just thought you should know in case you get any ideas about going into my room and messing with my stuff," Eamon said with a smirk. "I know how to lift prints with the detective kit I got for my birthday, so you'll be sorry if you do!"

Thea rolled her eyes. "Like I'd want to touch anything in your messy room!"

"I think there's another kind of print we should be more concerned about," said Mom, who had come into the room. "We need to think about the prints we're leaving on other people's lives."

"Prints on people's lives? What does that mean?" asked Eamon.

"I'm talking about the impressions we make on others," Mom replied. "Like fingerprints, they identify us--not by ridges, but by what's in our hearts. Our words and actions leave behind impressions that affect others. As Christians, we want those impressions to match the love Jesus has put in our hearts."

"Because then we'll be pointing people to Him, right?" asked Thea.

"Right," said Mom. "We need to speak and act in a way that helps people know how much Jesus loves them. No two people have the same fingerprints, but when we rely on Jesus to help us love others the way He loves us, the impressions we leave behind will point to Him."

–Lucinda J. Rollings

How About You?
What kind of impressions do you leave on others? Are the things you do and say kind and uplifting--or selfish and hurtful? If you're a Christian, the impressions you leave on others should point to Jesus. He shows His love for us through qualities like kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Treat others the same way so the impressions you leave behind identify you as someone who has His love in your heart.

Today's Key Verse:
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (NIV) (John 13:35 )

Today's Key Thought:
Leave good impressions

Bible Reading: Mark 4:1-9; Romans 10:17; Philippians 4:8-9

"Sea lion caves," read Graham. He pointed to a sign next to the road along the Oregon coast. "We're there!"

Dad nodded and drove into the parking lot. Soon the family stood in the underground viewing area, close enough to see, smell, and hear the roaring creatures.

When a torpedo-shaped body with a whiskered, cat-like face slid through the water and clambered up onto the cave floor, Dad took out his phone. "That type of seal is called the Stellar sea lion," he said. "This website says the spots that look like dimples on the side of the seal's head are tiny ears. Most seals just have openings, but the Stellar sea lion is an eared seal. When it dives, those little ear flaps cover the openings, and when it surfaces, the ears open up again."

"Wow! That's cool," said Graham.

After watching the sea lions for a while, Graham and his family returned to their car and went on their way. As they drove, they talked about the seals. "Why didn't God give me ears that would close?" Graham asked, laughing at the thought of his ears opening and closing. "I'd like to be able to shut some things out that I didn't want to hear."

"I thought you could do that already," said Mom, pretending to be surprised. "You never seem to hear me when I tell you to clean your room!"

Graham smiled sheepishly. He knew she was teasing, but he suspected she wasn't totally joking either.

"That's a good point," said Dad. "God didn't give you ear flaps, Graham, but He did give you the ability to open and close your ears in another way. You can open your ears by listening to what's being said and close them by not paying attention. It's important to open your ears to what your parents, teachers, and especially God have to say."

"That's right," said Mom. "God often uses parents and teachers to help us understand what He tells us in the Bible--the truth about what Jesus did to save us and how we should live as God's children. We need to open our ears so we can hear and obey."

–Bernice S. Karnop

How About You?
Have you ever tried to open and close your ears? Though you don't have ear flaps like a sea lion, you can choose to listen to or ignore what others say. When parents and teachers are talking to you, pay attention to their words. Most important of all, open your ears to what God says in the Bible. It tells us how much He loves us and how we can have a relationship with Him--and Christian parents and teachers can help us learn more about Him too.

Today's Key Verse:
Jesus said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." (NIV) (Mark 4:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Open your ears to God's truth

Bible Reading: Matthew 19:23-26; John 13:34; Romans 5:6-8

Bandit, Amelia's little piglet, lay in a box. Her faint, wheezing breath was the only clue that she was still alive. As Amelia hung a bulb over the box to give it heat, her cousin Ruby came in. She peered at the still form as Amelia explained what had happened.

"That's horrible!" exclaimed Ruby. She watched Amelia take an eyedropper and trickle warm milk down the piglet's throat. Ruby sighed. "It's hopeless," she said, shaking her head.

"No! She could get better," said Amelia. Every couple of hours she would go to Bandit's box to feed and stroke the tiny piglet, looking for any signs of improvement. Even her parents began to doubt that Bandit would recover, but Amelia refused to give up, even getting up in the middle of the night to take care of her. Dad told her she should prepare for the worst, but Amelia kept hoping and praying that Bandit would get well.

The next morning, Ruby came over to go to church with Amelia's family. "I want to show you something," said Amelia. She led the way to Bandit's box. "Look!"

Ruby stared. There stood Bandit, wiggling and squealing for Amelia to hurry with some more food. "I don't believe it!" exclaimed Ruby. "She looked so hopeless yesterday. I was sure she was a goner!"

Later that day, Ruby and Amelia took Bandit outside to get some fresh air. "You know Ryder, my foster brother?" Ruby said as she played with Bandit on the grass. "Well, I don't think I can stand him anymore! He's always getting in trouble, and he keeps lying and stealing our things. I don't think there's anything we can do for him. He's hopeless!"

"That's what you said about Bandit," said Amelia. "But it wasn't true. Bandit got better because I loved her and took care of her. God loves and cares for us much more than that! When we were all lost and hopeless, He sent Jesus to save us." Amelia looked at her cousin. "Why don't you try to help Ryder by praying for him and showing him you care? I'll pray for him too. That's what I did with Bandit, and Ryder is way more important than a pig. Don't give up on him--things are never hopeless with God."

–Linda A. Price

How About You?
Do you know people who seem hopeless? Don't give up on them. Keep praying and helping them in any way you can. Be sure to share the good news of Jesus with them too. He came to offer hope to all of us by dying for our sins and rising from the dead. He can change anyone's heart, just like He changed yours. Help others know that He loves them and will welcome them joyfully.

Today's Key Verse:
With God all things are possible. (NKJV) (Matthew 19:26)

Today's Key Thought:
There's hope for the hopeless

Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-24

Amelia was fascinated by the ten tiny piglets squirming around their mother in the pig pen behind the barn.

A little piglet with a black spot over her eye became Amelia's favorite. "She looks like a bandit with that black eye, so that's what I'll name her," said Amelia. "She's so cute! I love the way she trots off to explore things all by herself."

One morning a few days later, Dad came into the house with something cradled in his arms. "I need soft rags and a hair dryer," he said.

Amelia's heart sank when she saw the limp form of Bandit tucked against Dad's chest. "What happened?" she asked anxiously.

"This little piggy wandered off during the night and couldn't find her way back to the warmth of her mother and the other piglets. I found her out in the yard. She's very cold and weak right now."

Amelia wiped the mud off the tiny pig while Mom gently blew warm air around her with a hair dryer. "Why did she go off by herself?" asked Amelia. "Her mother was taking good care of her. Do you think she'll be okay, Dad?"

"I don't know," said Dad, putting an arm around Amelia's shoulders. "We'll do our best to help her."

For devotions that evening, Dad read the story of the prodigal son. "The young man in this story reminds me of your piggy," said Dad. "What can you learn from their experiences?"

"Um…don't wander away from home?" suggested Amelia. "Bandit and the man in the story both wandered away from their homes where they were safe."

Dad smiled. "That's right, and Christians sometimes wander away from the love and care God has provided for us. We ignore God and His people and instead chase after worldly things."

"So how do we keep from wandering?" asked Amelia.

"By remembering how much God loves us and trusting Him to take care of us. He sent Jesus to die for us so we could be part of His family, and He wants to fill our lives with joy and peace. And when we do go our own way, He will always forgive us and welcome us home."

–Linda A. Price

How About You?
Have you wandered away from God? Don't go off on your own thinking you can live life your way. God loves you and wants the very best for you--Jesus gave His life so you could experience the joy and peace of knowing Him. If you've gone your own way, ask Him to forgive you. He will welcome you home with open arms and take good care of you.

Today's Key Verse:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (NIV) (Colossians 3:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't wander away from God