Bible Reading: John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-11

Grayson settled down to listen as his Sunday school teacher began to speak. "I read an article this week about traditions in England," said Mr. Jensen. "It mentioned several castles that are available to the king to live in. Sometimes he stays in one, and sometimes in another. Whenever he's in one of his homes, his flag flies over that roof. It lets his subjects know their king is inside." Mr. Jensen paused as he looked at the class. "You know, for those of us who are Christians, the King of Kings lives within us. What are some things we could use as a flag--things that would show that we have Jesus in our lives?"

Josh raised his hand. "We could let others know we go to church," he suggested when the teacher called on him.

"Good!" Mr. Jensen smiled. "Of course, just because someone goes to church doesn't mean they're a Christian. But for those of you who are, it gives a testimony--sort of like you're flying Christ's flag for others to see. Let your friends know you go to church because you want to learn more about Jesus. Who else can suggest something to use as a flag?"

"We should obey our parents," Grayson said.

Mr. Jensen nodded. "And why should you obey them?"

"Because God tells us to," replied Grayson.

"In other words," said Mr. Jensen, "we should obey God, right? We should do what He says--and how do we know what that is?"

"It tells us in the Bible," said Emery. "That's where the Ten Commandments are found."

"Yes, and they're very important," said Mr. Jensen, holding up his Bible. "But the Bible contains many other commandments as well. In fact, our lesson today talks about a new commandment Jesus gave His disciples--including us. Perhaps it's the best flag we could show others. It's the one Jesus says will show that we belong to Him. He commands us to love others the way He loves us. Jesus loves us so much that He died on the cross so we could be saved and have His love in our hearts. When we love others, it shows them that Jesus is our King and that His Spirit lives in us."

–Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Are you flying a flag that shows others you're a Christian? Jesus tells us that the most important flag of all is love. He commands us to love others as He loves us. That's a lot of love! If you know Jesus, He's given you the ability to love others the way He does. When you treat others with love, you're flying His flag and showing others that He lives in your heart.

Today's Key Verse:
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (NIV) (John 13:34)

Today's Key Thought:
Love one another

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 2:19-22; James 1:12

Dinner was ready, and everyone was called to the table. After Dad prayed, Gianna was the first to notice that something was wrong. "These dishes are dirty!" she exclaimed. "Why are they on the table?"

Mom gasped as she looked at her plate. "My fault. I told Grandma to use the plates from the dishwasher. I must have forgotten to turn it on last night."

"Oh dear!" exclaimed Grandma, who was nearly blind. "They must have been rinsed off and I couldn't see well enough to know they were still dirty. I'm so sorry!" After a good laugh, Gianna and her sister Cosima jumped up to remove the dirty dishes and replace them with clean ones.

After reading the passage for family devotions that evening, Dad closed his Bible thoughtfully. "The verses we just read say that we are vessels to be used by God. We all saw how unpleasant it would be to eat out of dirty vessels at dinner tonight, didn't we? We want clean dishes for our food."

"That's for sure!" said Cosima.

"When God says we need to be clean vessels, do you suppose He means we should take a bath?" asked Dad.

"Well, I've heard a saying about how cleanliness is next to godliness," said Gianna.

"Is that in the Bible?" asked Cosima.

Dad chuckled. "No, it's not. We should keep our bodies clean, of course, but I don't think that's what these verses mean."

"I don't think so either," said Mom. "God says we need to have hearts made clean and pure by Jesus and live in a way that shows others His love. I think that's what He's referring to here."

Dad nodded. "The apostle Paul told Timothy to flee from evil desires and pursue virtues like faith, love, and peace alongside other believers. We need to do the same thing. As Christians, we need to remind one another to turn from sin and focus on Jesus, who has forgiven our wrongs and washed us clean. As we trust Him to fill us with His peace and love, we become vessels He can use to show others who He is."

"We needed clean dishes for dinner tonight," said Grandma. "And the world needs clean vessels to show people the love of Jesus."

–Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Are you a clean vessel that's ready to be used? The only way we can be clean and pure is to trust Jesus to forgive our sins. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Then, as He works in our hearts, He helps us turn away from sin and share His love with others in the way we live. Trust Him to make you a vessel He can use to bring others to Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. (NKJV) (2 Timothy 2:21)

Today's Key Thought:
Be a vessel God can use

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

"Mom, can I have some money to put in the collection plate?" asked Gunnar.

"Didn't you bring your own offering?" Mom asked. Gunnar shook his head. Mom frowned, but she reached into her wallet and took out some money. "Just this once," she said as she handed it to Gunnar.

That afternoon, Gunnar had a suggestion for his mother. "My birthday is next week, you know. If you can't think of anything to get me, I have some ideas."

Mom looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, actually, when Grandpa and Grandma were here last week, they left a birthday present for you. Maybe I'll just give you that." She smiled brightly at Gunnar.

"Mom! I'm serious. I'm talking about what you might get for me, not what they're giving me. Like I said, I have some ideas."

"What's wrong with my idea?" asked Mom, acting surprised. "I'm sure the package they left has something really nice in it."

Gunnar frowned. "You're just kidding, right? I mean, it won't really be from you if you give me something they bought me."

"You're absolutely right, Gunnar," said Mom. "I'm not truly giving if I give you something that doesn't belong to me--something I didn't put any thought or effort or money toward. You wouldn't be happy about that, would you?" Gunnar shook his head. "But at church this morning, you were okay with giving God a gift that wasn't really from you," Mom pointed out.

"But you used to always give me money for church!" said Gunnar.

"When you were too young to have your own money, I gave you some so you'd get in the habit of giving to God. Now that you have an allowance, you should give some of your own money. Then you'll be giving a real offering instead of simply dropping money into the collection plate, right?"

Gunnar sighed. "Yeah, I guess so."

"The Bible tells us to give to God with a cheerful heart out of love and gratitude for all He's done for us," said Mom. "When we give gifts to God that cost us something, it reminds us of His gift to us that cost Him everything--His Son, Jesus."

Gunnar thought about it and nodded. "Next time, I'll bring my own offering."

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Do you put money in the offering plate at church? When we give back to God to thank Him for everything He's done for us and acknowledge that all we have comes from Him, we're giving with a cheerful heart. Perhaps you don't have any money of your own yet, but when you do, offer some of it back to Him out of gratitude for all He's given you.

Today's Key Verse:
Let each one give…not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (NKJV) (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Give to God

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-5

"Tre, what are you doing out here?" Granddad asked. Tre sat cross-legged on the balcony of his grandparents' apartment. Honking car horns and screeching city buses filled the night air.

Tre scrunched his knees to his chest. "Trying not to think about school," he said, looking down.

"Aw, Tre, I know it's been hard." Granddad put his hands on Tre's shoulders and sat down with him. "Hey, look at that!" Granddad pointed. "Tre, what do you see?"

"Mr. Frank's Fried Chicken sign?" The neon sign across the street gave a red tint to Tre's face.

Granddad chuckled. "Well, yes, that's good too. Real good. But look up even higher." Granddad pointed up into the dark sky.

Tre stretched his neck up and gave a half smile when he saw the moon, then looked back down.

"You see it, Tre?"

"Yeah." Tre twirled his untied shoelace around his finger. Earlier that day, some kids at school had made fun of him for the shoes he wore. Between struggling with math and now kids making fun of him, he didn't even want to think about school. But at the same time, school was all he could think about. He was worried about what would happen the next day and every day after that.

Tre looked up again. The moon was so big and so radiant that not even the city lights or Mr. Frank's Fried Chicken sign could drown out its glow. The moonlight brightened his face.

"Tre, who made that moon?"

"God." Tre smiled.

"That's right, and that moon is always there, even if there are clouds or blinding fried chicken signs making it harder for us to see it." Granddad looked up at the moon. "Just like that moon, God is always there too. Even if it's hard to see Him through the stuff you face at school sometimes, Jesus is still there with you, like a light that never goes out. He saved you from the darkness of sin, and He promises to be with you through all the tough stuff."

Tre smiled, still looking up at the moon. "So, God's like a light?" Granddad nodded. "A light as bright as Mr. Frank's Fried Chicken sign?" asked Tre.

Granddad winked. "Even brighter."

–Amanda Gott

How About You?
What is a tough situation you've faced at school or home? Maybe math or reading or doing homework is hard sometimes. Maybe classmates or siblings have said something hurtful. Whatever your circumstances, God is with you, like a light that never goes out. Jesus promises to always be with those who trust in Him through all life's troubles. Even if it's hard to see Him, He is there--just like the bright moon in the sky.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV) (Psalm 27:1 )

Today's Key Thought:
God is always there with you

Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:28-31

Julie loved watching the birds with her grannie. There were so many colorful species to see, and her grannie knew the names of them all.

"It would be fun to fly," Julie said as she watched a bright red cardinal take off from the bird feeder. "Can you imagine soaring into the sky like a bird?"

Grannie smiled. "It would be fun just to see what it's like, wouldn't it?"

"I wonder why God made birds fly and we just have to be boring and walk."

Grannie chuckled. "He must have His reasons."

Julie watched another bird take off and fly through the sky, and she put her arms out like wings.

"You know, the Bible does mention something about us flying," Grannie said.

Julie glanced at her. "It does?"

"In Isaiah, it says that those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings as if they were eagles," Grannie said.

Julie's eyes widened. "Does it really?"

"Yes." Grannie smiled. "But I don't think it's meant to be taken literally--it's not saying we'll physically fly. I think it means that when we put our trust in God, it will feel like we're flying because of the strength, hope, and joy He gives us."

Julie turned toward the window again as a beautiful orange oriole landed on the feeder. She would love to fly like a bird, but she was glad God had made her a human.

A few days later, Julie and Grannie took a walk to look for birds. They saw many beautiful species fly about before her grannie pointed excitedly toward the sky.

"Look, an eagle!" Grannie said.

Julie's eyes widened as she watched the huge bird soar gracefully through the sky. "Wow. That's what God can help us be like?"

Grannie nodded. "Because we trust in Jesus, we can soar like that strong eagle. Jesus gives us strength to face life's difficulties, and one day, when He returns, He will give us new bodies that will never grow tired or weary."

"Wow," Julie said again. It was fun to see how much larger and more majestic the eagle looked than the other birds, and it was amazing to know that God could make her soar just like it.

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Have you ever seen an eagle fly? The Bible says those who trust in the Lord are like powerful eagles that can fly through the air without growing weary. Whenever we feel tired or weak, we can look to Jesus for strength and remember the hope of eternal life we have in Him. Trust Him to give you strength, hope, and joy so that you can soar like an eagle.

Today's Key Verse:
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV) (Isaiah 40:31)

Today's Key Thought:
God makes you soar