Bible Reading: Luke 6:31-36; Romans 15:5-7

"I guess Lydia's okay, but having a new kid join your class in the middle of the year just messes everything up," Haley complained when her mother picked her up at school. "I mean, we're in the middle of our science projects, and we've already starting rehearsing our skit for parents' night. We had an equal number of people on our teams in gym class too. And now somebody new comes along and we have to make room for her."

"I'm sure adding one more person to your group can't be that bad," said Mom as she slowed the car to turn onto the ramp leading to the highway.

Haley shrugged. "Well, it's not fun." She braced herself as her mom suddenly sped up to merge onto the highway. "It's nothing personal, it's just that our groups were already all set."

Haley frowned as the cars on the highway roared by in the lane next to the ramp. "Hey!" she said when she saw the end of the ramp quickly approaching. "What's with all these drivers today? They're not moving over to let us in. Don't they know they're supposed to let us merge into the lane with them?"

"They should know," Mom said as she finally darted into the next lane in front of a pickup truck. "I guess they're busy doing their own thing and don't want to bother with anyone new in their lane. They liked it the way it was before other cars started merging onto the highway from the ramp." She glanced at Haley. "I'm sure it's nothing personal."

Haley blushed and didn't say anything.

"It doesn't feel very good when no one wants to make room for you, does it?" said Mom. "I'm sure Lydia knows how that feels. Imagine how hard it must be for her to start a new school in the middle of the year when everyone already has their own groups and routines." Mom looked over at Haley. "It's not always easy to change things when someone new comes along, but Jesus will help you do it. He always welcomes those who come to Him, and He'll help you show the same kind of love to Lydia."

Haley didn't answer immediately. "Maybe I should be the first one to slow down and let Lydia in," she said at last.

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Is there a new person in your school or neighborhood? Has anyone else slowed down to let them in? Maybe God wants you to be the one to make room for a newcomer or a lonely person. How can you include them and make them feel welcome? Think about how you would want to be treated if you were new or lonely, and then go do the same for them. Welcome others the way Jesus welcomed you into His family.

Today's Key Verse:
Welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. (CSB) (Romans 15:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Help new people feel welcome

Bible Reading: John 3:18; 1 John 5:11-13

Daniel listened politely as his elderly neighbor chatted with him and his mom in the front yard. "You and my grandson Benjamin would get along so well together," Mrs. Crane was saying. "He really enjoys skateboarding. And did I tell you that he plays basketball?"

Daniel nodded. "And that he's in my grade in school, and that he has a baseball card collection."

Mrs. Crane smiled and nodded. "I really hope the two of you get a chance to meet sometime."

After Mrs. Crane left, Daniel turned to his mom. "Mrs. Crane is always telling me about her grandson. I must know just about everything there is to know about him. He sounds like a nice guy, but I'm getting pretty tired of hearing about him. I wish she'd either introduce us or forget the whole thing."

The next Saturday, it happened. The doorbell rang, and there was Mrs. Crane and a boy about Daniel's age. "Hi, Daniel," said Mrs. Crane. "This is Benjamin, my grandson." She smiled at Benjamin. "And this is Daniel."

Benjamin was visiting his grandmother for a week, so the boys played together often and had a great time.

"I'm glad Mrs. Crane finally introduced Benjamin and me," Daniel told his parents one day. "I knew all about him for a long time, but now I actually know him."

Mom nodded. "You can 'know about,' or you can 'know.' The elimination of one small word makes a lot of difference, doesn't it?"

"It's like that when it comes to Jesus too," Dad said. "Some people know about Him, but they don't know Him personally."

"I often think of that at this time of year," said Mom. "Many people have heard the Christmas story over and over. But knowing about Jesus isn't enough. It's as useless as knowing about Benjamin without being able to meet him."

"Yeah," said Daniel. "I was really tired of hearing Mrs. Crane talk about him! Knowing somebody personally is so much better than just hearing about them. I'm glad I know Benjamin now, and I'm especially glad I know Jesus."

–Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Do you get bored hearing the same stories about Jesus coming to earth as a baby and dying on the cross for sinners again and again? Maybe that's because you only know about Jesus, but you don't know Him personally. He loves you and wants you to know Him as your Savior and friend. Trust Him as your Savior and start getting to know Him 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:
You may know that you have eternal life. (NKJV) (1 John 5:13)

Today's Key Thought:
You can know Jesus personally

Bible Reading: Psalm 16; John 15:8-17

Grace twirled her hair nervously as she walked up to Ms. Evie. Evie looked the same as she did months ago--only now she was in a wheelchair.

Evie looked up with a bright smile when she saw Grace. "How is it that you've grown even taller in just a few months?" Evie's green eyes sparkled and she squeezed Grace's hand.

"Hi, Ms. Evie. I'm sorry about your car accident. My parents said you won't walk again."

Evie nodded. "Unless God performs a miracle, I don't think I will."

"But--doesn't that make you angry?" asked Grace. "You're in the middle of going to college and you had so many plans interrupted. But it's weird, you don't seem angry. You look--happy!" Grace clapped her hand over her mouth. "I shouldn't have said all that."

Ms. Evie's laughter sounded like tinkling bells. "It's okay, Grace! It's refreshing to hear some honesty. Let me tell you a secret." Evie leaned forward. "I'm not happy."

"What?" Grace's eyes widened.

"I'll explain. I'm not happy about my situation, but I do have joy."

"What's the difference? I thought they were kind of the same thing," Grace mused.

"Good question! Happiness depends on our circumstances, which can change from day to hour to minute. But true joy comes from knowing Jesus. Jesus joy is my secret weapon."

Grace sighed. "It's not always easy to be joyful."

Evie shook her head. "It's not. For the first few weeks, I was mad at God, asking Him why this happened. I still feel sad about what I've lost, but I've been thinking about what Hebrews 12:2 says about fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross so we could have the joy of knowing Him. Jesus loved us enough to make the ultimate sacrifice. The joy set before Him was knowing that we would belong to Him forever when we trust Him to save us. Knowing He's always with me and that He promises to give me a new, perfect body one day fills me with joy."

"I guess I'd never thought of it like that," said Grace. "I have noticed that spending time with Jesus lifts me up when I'm feeling sad. When I read my Bible and sing praise songs, it just makes me feel more--"

"Joyful?" Evie interjected.

"Yeah!"

"Sounds like you've got Jesus joy too, girl!"

–Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Have you ever thought about the difference between joy and happiness? Is there a person in your life who you could see had the joy of Jesus in them despite tough circumstances they were going through? Do you have the joy of Jesus in you to give you strength when hard times come? God promises that when we belong to Him, His joy will be in us and our joy will be full (John 15:11). Spend time in His presence and soak up the joy He offers you!

Today's Key Verse:
For the joy set before [Jesus] he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV) (Hebrews 12:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus gives you genuine joy

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:17-22

Aries threw her mom's cell phone on the counter and ran to her room as fast she could. She slammed the door and belly flopped onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

Soon there was a knock on the door. "Aries, can I come in?" Mom asked.

"I guess so," Aries was able to get out between sobs.

Mom sat down on the bed. "I'm guessing your dad called to say he's not coming to get you this weekend like he promised," she said as she rubbed Aries' back.

Aries nodded. "He said something about having to work early on Monday. That's the third week in a row. What's wrong with me, Mom? Why doesn't he want to spend time with me?" Aries asked as more tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Honey, it's not you. I'm not sure what's going on with your dad, but I know it's not your fault," Mom reassured her.

"It's just so hard. I was really looking forward to this weekend," Aries said as she turned toward her mother and began sobbing on her shoulder.

Mom let her cry for a while before breaking the silence. "Aries, I want you to look at my cell phone." Aries sat up and looked at the phone in her mom's hand. "After you got done talking to your dad, you slammed my phone down pretty hard on the counter, but is it broken?" Mom turned the phone over, and Aries shook her head. "Why not?" Mom asked.

"Because the case protected it," Aries said.

"That's right. People are going to disappoint you in life--I may even let you down sometimes--and it's normal to feel hurt because of it. But remember that since you're a Christian, you will always have the love of God protecting you. Jesus gave His life to save you, and He will never fail you. He is with you when you're hurting and wants to comfort you and help you." Mom kissed the top of Aries' head. "I love you, kid. I'm going to go start dinner. Why don't you come join me when you're ready?"

After her mom left, Aries took a deep breath and dried her eyes. "Dear Lord, thank You for loving me. Please help me get through this," she prayed as she headed toward the kitchen to join her mom.

–Melissa Yeagle

How About You?
Are you going through a rough time right now? Do you feel hurt because someone has let you down? Even those closest to you will fail you sometimes, but God never will. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you so you could be His child, and He promises to always be with you. When you feel hurt or are facing a hard time in life, remember that you are not alone. God loves you and will help you through it, and He'll put people in your life who can remind you of His love too.

Today's Key Verse:
God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." (NLT) (Hebrews 13:5 )

Today's Key Thought:
God's love never fails

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:89-90, 103-106; Matthew 5:6

"How much do horses eat?" asked Jared as he and his Uncle Bill walked through the horse barn.

"A lot!" Uncle Bill replied. "It's a good thing we can put them out to pasture every day." He grinned. "Did I ever tell you about the no-feed horse?"

"No. What's a no-feed horse?" asked Jared.

"Well, I heard about a fella who figured out how to raise a horse that didn't need to eat," Uncle Bill explained. "Just imagine the money he would save!"

Jared gave his uncle a confused look. "A horse that doesn't eat? How is that possible?"

"This guy started out by reducing the horse's feed by an ounce a day," said Uncle Bill. "Then he reduced it by two ounces, and then three ounces, and so on. He did that until the horse was getting by on almost no food at all."

"Wow!" said Jared. "Then what happened?"

"Well, that's the sad part," said Uncle Bill. "One day the horse up and died."

For a moment, Jared stared at his uncle, open-mouthed. Then he saw his uncle grin, and he realized Uncle Bill was just teasing. "Uncle Bill! You're kidding me!"

Uncle Bill laughed heartily. "Yep, I reckon I am. But I really have known some fellas who were almost as foolish as that rancher. They always tried to get by with feeding their livestock as little as possible. Then they'd wonder why their cattle didn't grow like they should." Uncle Bill tugged on his hat thoughtfully. "I've known some Christians like that too," he added. "I was even like that myself for a time. I started off reading my Bible and praying and going to church regularly. Then I tapered off--I was just so busy with things on the farm, see. It took me a while to realize that my soul wasn't being fed and my spiritual life was suffering. I needed that time with Jesus and His people so He could fill me with His peace and remind me of His presence."

"Wow," said Jared. "I never considered going to church or reading my Bible to be just as important as eating food!"

Uncle Bill smiled at him. "Don't ever forget that your soul needs to be fed just like your stomach does."

–Sherry L. Kuyt

How About You?
Do you remember to eat every day? Of course you do! But what about feeding your soul? It needs Jesus just like your stomach needs food, and if you don't feed it, your spiritual life will suffer. Spend time in fellowship with other believers listening to what God says in His Word, and pray and read the Bible on your own too. Let Jesus feed your soul by reminding you of His truth, love, and promises.

Today's Key Verse:
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (NKJV) (Luke 4:4)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't neglect your spiritual life