Bible Reading: Matthew 18:11-13; John 10:11-14

Amir closed his eyes and sighed in frustration. For the first time, Wyatt had accepted an invitation to go to church. The teacher had explained that people are lost in sin, and Jesus came to find them and save them. But Wyatt didn't understand. "I don't get it," he said as he and Amir walked home. "It doesn't make sense! A perfect God wouldn't search for people, because He wouldn't need them for anything--especially not people who keep messing up all the time." Amir didn't know how to explain it any better than their teacher had.

"I've had enough God talk," Wyatt said as they rounded the corner. "Wanna stop at my house for a while?" Amir nodded.

When the boys arrived at Wyatt's house, his little sister Rosalie ran up to them. "Wyatt!" she called. "Ranger's missing!"

"What?" Wyatt suddenly looked like he was about to panic. He loved his family's dog.

"I looked all around the neighborhood for him, but I can't find him," said Rosalie. "Can you go look for him, Wyatt?"

"I'll help," said Amir, and the boys took off in different directions, calling the dog's name and whistling for him.

Amir circled the block, and when he got back to Wyatt's house, he found Wyatt throwing sticks for the dog. "Ranger heard me call and came to me," Wyatt said with a grin. "I think he wanted to be found!"

That gave Amir an idea. "Why did you have to go look for Ranger?" he asked.

"Because he was lost," said Wyatt, looking puzzled. "Besides, I didn't have to look for him--I wanted to! He's my dog--he belongs with me."

Amir grinned. "Right, and you know what? Jesus didn't have to look for us either. He wanted to because He made us and we belong with Him. Jesus loves you, Wyatt, even more than you love Ranger. He wants to find you, and He can--but you have to want to be found." Wyatt looked a bit startled. "Come over sometime and we can talk about it some more," said Amir. "Okay?"

Wyatt watched Ranger chew the end of a stick. "Maybe," he said thoughtfully. "I'll think about it."

– Paulette Cross

How About You?
Have you ever lost something really important to you and wanted to find it? That's how God feels about people--about you. If you haven't trusted Jesus as your Savior, you are lost in sin. The good news is that Jesus is looking for you. Trust Him to find you and bring you home. (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:
The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (NIV) (Luke 19:10 )

Today's Key Thought:
God wants to find you

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; Philippians 4:11-13

Isla smiled as she looked at her baby brother still asleep in his crib. Emmett is really cute, but I'm so glad I'm not a baby. All he does is eat and sleep. How boring!

At the breakfast table, Isla watched Mom butter toast and pour coffee. Mom's life looks boring too, Isla thought. She's always cooking, cleaning, and giving me my schoolwork. Doesn't she ever wish she could be a kid again?

Dad glanced at the clock. "I'd better go. Traffic is always heavy on Monday."

Isla thought about her father's life. Every morning Dad drives to the office and spends the day doing whatever he does there. The next day, he does it all over again. If that's what my life will be like someday, I'm not sure I ever want to grow up!

After Dad left, Mom said, "It's time for your lessons, Isla, so let's go over our verse for today and then we'll start on fractions." She opened her Bible. "Our verse is First Corinthians 13:11. It says, 'When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.' What do you think that verse means?"

Isla thought for a moment. "I guess it means that kids and grownups don't do the same things or even think the same way."

"That's true," said Mom. "When we're young, we're focused on learning new things and having fun. As we age, there are more responsibilities and different kinds of fun."

"Yeah--you and Dad think gardening is fun, but I don't!" Isla made a face, and Mom laughed.

"The point is that even though our lives change as we get older and we face new challenges, we can be content at any age because of the hope we have in Jesus. The struggles we face in life are temporary, because one day Jesus will make everything new and we'll spend eternity with Him--and that will be more amazing than anything we can comprehend now. The important thing is to enjoy what God has put in our lives now and trust Him when things change later on."

Isla nodded and grinned, realizing her parents didn't think their lives were so boring after all. She reached for another book. "Ready to teach me fractions, Mom? I'm ready to learn."

– Phyllis I. Klomparens

How About You?
Are you afraid to grow up because you don't think life will be fun anymore? Or maybe you can't wait to grow up so you can do things you can't do now. Each stage of life has its own perks and challenges, but you can be content no matter how old you are. Trust Jesus to help you learn and grow throughout the stages of your life, and enjoy the blessings He has for you in each one.

Today's Key Verse:
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (NKJV) (Philippians 4:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Be content at any age

Bible Reading: Luke 21:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Lacey zipped her backpack and skipped toward the library's exit. She had always loved books, and today's field trip with her class meant she could finally get her own library card.

As Lacey waited to check out a few novels, an older woman spoke with the librarian about rechecking a book. She didn't have enough money with her to pay her overdue fines, so the librarian explained that she'd have to return the book. Lacey wanted to help. She dug in her school bag for coins.

"Here you go," Lacey said, handing over twenty cents, all the money she had in her backpack.

"Thank you, dear." The woman smiled at Lacey. "But I'm afraid that's not enough to cover my fine."

The librarian looked at Lacey for a moment, then held out her hand for the coins. "It's all right," she said. "If you just pay part of your fine, you can check something out."

The woman beamed. "Now I can finish my book!"

Excited about this chance to help, Lacey shared the story with her friends as they walked back to school.

"It's just twenty cents, Lacey. No big deal," Eden replied, walking away.

Lacey's joy faded. I guess it wasn't anything special after all, she told herself.

"Lacey, are you okay?" Mr. Sawyer asked as they returned to class.

"Well, I did feel happy, but now…not so much." Lacey explained to Mr. Sawyer how she'd wanted to help the elderly woman at the library. Then she added that Eden had reminded her such a small amount of money hadn't been so important.

"Lacey, you've trusted Jesus to forgive your sins, haven't you?" Mr. Sawyer asked. Lacey nodded. "Well, when you trusted in Him, He gave you the Holy Spirit, who is working in your life to make you more like Jesus. He has given you a desire to serve others. That's what you did today, and you did it with joy. You gave all the money you had with you to help this lady. You really blessed her."

Lacey smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Sawyer." She walked to her desk. "I'm going to put more coins in my backpack tonight so I can help somebody else next time I visit the library."

– Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
Do you ever wonder if you can make a difference? When we begin a relationship with Jesus by trusting in Him for the forgiveness of our sins, we join Him in the work He does on earth. Whether you have a little or a lot, you can show God's love to others and bring Him glory. It isn't how much you have that makes a difference--it's the love and faith you display in your life as the Holy Spirit works in your heart. That's what matters to God.

Today's Key Verse:
"I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them." (NLT) (Luke 21:3 )

Today's Key Thought:
Even a little makes a difference

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:8-15

"Look at my new sweater!" said Brianne, holding it up for her dad to see. "You should see all the stuff Mom and I got on sale today."

Mom sighed. "Yes, but it was such a hassle getting through the crowds at the mall and pawing through the racks of clothes that I wondered at times if it was really worth it. But we did get some really good deals."

"Yeah!" said Brianne. "It makes you wonder how the stores can afford to sell things at those prices."

"They know what they're doing," Dad assured her. "They're clearing out things that are no longer profitable and making room to restock their shelves with new things people want--things that will make them more money. Right now, they're selling off winter stuff to make room for spring merchandise." He paused for a moment. "I think we could take a lesson from them."

"Like what?" asked Brianne curiously.

"There are things in our lives that we need to clear out from time to time," Dad explained as he reached for his Bible. "Let's read about them for our devotions tonight." He opened his Bible and read a passage from the book of Colossians.

"Hearing those verses makes me regret getting angry and impatient with some people in the store today," Mom confessed. "I need to get rid of anger and selfishness from the shelves of my life and make room for patience and humility."

"How much do you suppose we can sell our bad qualities for?" asked Brianne with a mischievous grin.

Dad laughed. "Forget having a sale and just trash them. Those unprofitable traits don't fit who we are now because Jesus has saved us from sin. Instead of wasting space on them, we can restock our shelves with good things like compassion, kindness, and patience--qualities that fit the new life Jesus gave us when we trusted in Him."

"And how much of a profit can we get with our new qualities?" asked Brianne.

"That's the best part," said Dad. "We can give them away for free, and they'll still be profitable. When we are kind, gentle, and forgiving with others, we show them God's love and help them see who Jesus is, and He can use those good qualities in our lives to draw more people to Him."

– Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
What traits are found on the shelves of your life? Do others see qualities that reflect Jesus and fit the new person He's made you to be? Or do you still have outdated habits from your old life taking up space--things like lying, a hot temper, or a desire to get even with someone? Trust God to help you replace old, sinful attitudes with loving qualities that fit your new life with Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV) (Colossians 3:12 )

Today's Key Thought:
Put on traits that reflect Jesus

Bible Reading: John 3:16; 10:27-30; Romans 6:23

"I had fun today," said Marcos when his mom came to say goodnight. He had spent the afternoon at a birthday party for his friend Liam. "Liam really likes the game I gave him," Marcos said with a grin. "Some of us played it with him for a while at the party."

"I'm glad he liked it," said Mom.

"I really like it too," said Marcos. "It's a fun game!" He yawned loudly, and Mom laughed.

"I think it's time to pray so you can go to sleep," she said.

After they prayed together, Mom tucked Marcos into bed. He looked up at her with a puzzled expression. "Mom, how do you know for sure if you're really saved?" he asked as he pulled the covers up to his neck.

"Do you understand that Jesus died for your sins and that you can't save yourself?" asked Mom.

Marcos nodded. "Sure--I know all about that, and I trusted Jesus as my Savior last spring. But sometimes I still do things that are wrong, and that makes me wonder about it."

"Well, all Christians sin sometimes, Marcos, but that doesn't change the fact that we're saved. Think about that game you took to Liam's party today. You really like it, so did you bring it home again when the party was over?"

Marcos shook his head. "No, it's Liam's. I gave it to him."

"What if he's mean to you tomorrow?" asked Mom. "Then will you take the game back?"

"Of course not!" said Marcos. "It belongs to Liam now, not to me."

"That's right," Mom said. "You gave it to him as a gift, so it's his. And when you trusted Jesus to forgive your sins and save you, God gave you a gift--the gift of eternal life. You didn't earn it, just like Liam didn't earn the game you gave him. And just like you gave it to him to keep, God gave you eternal life to keep. He won't take back His gift either."

"Whew!" Marcos sighed with relief. "I'm glad I don't have to worry about that anymore." He yawned again. "'Night, Mom," he said, snuggling down in his bed.

– Dean A. Fowler

How About You?
Do you ever doubt that you belong to Jesus, even if you've trusted Him to forgive your sins and save you? If you trust in Him as your Savior, you are a Christian. God's gift of eternal life is yours, and He won't ever take it back. Once you belong to Jesus, you will always belong to Him. If you haven't yet trusted in Him, do it today. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Then you can have peace knowing that He has given you eternal life with Him.

Today's Key Verse:
[Jesus said,] "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." (NKJV) (John 10:28)

Today's Key Thought:
God's gift is forever