Bible Reading: Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 4:7-13

"Mom, look at this old mirror!" Leah called to her mother, who was going through boxes on the other side of the attic. As she looked in the mirror, Leah giggled at her short, squat reflection. "This mirror makes me look so funny."

Mom came up behind her and looked. "That mirror is very old. It belonged to your great-great-grandmother."

"Can we take it down to show everybody?" asked Leah.

"Sure," said Mom. "I'm sure they'd like to see it too."

That evening, Leah's family laughed together at their reflections in the antique mirror. "It's fun to see myself in this old mirror, but it makes me look all squashed," said Leah. "I'm sure glad we have better ones we use now."

"Yeah," said Noah. "It'd be hard to get ready in the morning using this!"

"Yes, modern mirrors show us much more accurate images of ourselves than this old one," said Mom. "That's the kind of mirror we want to be."

"What do you mean?" asked Noah. "People aren't mirrors."

"In a way, we are," said Mom. "Our words and actions are a reflection of our inner thoughts and beliefs. Since we believe in Jesus and have His love in us, we need to reflect Him in everything we do."

"Yes, and it should be an accurate image of Him," said Dad. "People should see Jesus in us the way He really is--not a squashed reflection."

"A squashed reflection?" asked Noah. "What would that be?"

"Well, people sometimes get the impression that Christians think they're better than other people," said Dad. "Or they may see Christians be unkind or gossip about others. That's not a true picture of Jesus."

"That's right," said Mom. "The Holy Spirit produces the characteristics of Jesus in us, and we need to reflect them in our lives. Do you remember what they are?"

"I know!" said Leah. "Things like love, kindness, joy, patience, and self-control."

"They're called the fruit of the Spirit," added Noah.

Mom nodded. "Those are things people should see in our lives. When we trust God to help us show those characteristics to others, we'll be reflecting Jesus as He truly is."

-Jean A. Burns

How About You?
Do others see Jesus in you? Do you reflect His love when you're talking with your classmates at school or your family at home? Or is your reflection of Him marred by mean things you say and do? Trust God to help you show the characteristics of Jesus so your life can be a true reflection of His love. Let others see Him in the way you live.

Today's Key Verse:
Let us love one another, for love is of God. (NKJV) (1 John 4:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Reflect Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 149:2-5; Zephaniah 3:14-17

"Do we have to go to the grocery store, Mom?" Shiloh asked as her family pulled out of the church parking lot. Shiloh, her brothers and sisters, and her mother had just finished attending their weekly homeschool group. Now Mom informed them that a trip to the store was in order.

"I think you can ask that in a stronger voice," Mom answered. Shiloh knew that meant she'd been whining. Mom was reminding her to think about her tone.

"I've had a sad day, Mom. Can't we go to the store later?"

"Sorry, honey. We have the car today while Dad works from home. It just can't wait," Mom replied.

As the family grabbed reusable bags and headed into the store, Shiloh shuffled behind. Mom sent the other kids to grab bananas, bread, and milk and then put her arm around Shiloh. "What was sad today?" Mom asked.

"Remember the art contest, Mom? I worked hard but didn't even get an honorable mention. Aria won second place, and she told me she barely tried. Then I didn't win anything during the spelling bee either. Stormy thinks she's no good at spelling, but she got third place. I thought I was a great speller."

Mom was about to say something, but she stopped and pointed to a boy walking past them. "Shiloh! Look at that T-shirt!" On his shirt was a Bible verse about how those who find God find favor from the Lord. Underneath were the words, I'm one of God's favorites.

"Shiloh, do you know what it means to be one of God's favorites?"

"Well, I know God loves me and sent Jesus to die for my sins," Shiloh replied. "And since I trust in Jesus, I know I'm forgiven, and now I have a relationship with Him."

"Right! When we trust in Jesus, we become God's children. That means His favor is on us. He delights in us!" Mom said.

"So, all God's children are His favorites." Shiloh smiled. "Just like all your children are your favorites."

Mom laughed. "Yep. You're one of God's favorites--not because you work diligently on your art, and not because you're a gifted speller. But just because you're His."

-Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
Do you ever wonder whether you're special to God? You are very special to Him. The Bible says He delights in His children. When we struggle to feel good about ourselves, we can remember God's favor is on us--not because of anything we've done, but because of what Jesus did for us. Be encouraged knowing that God takes pleasure in you because you belong to Him.

Today's Key Verse:
For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord. (NKJV) (Proverbs 8:35)

Today's Key Thought:
God delights in His children

Bible Reading: Psalm 18:28-33; Matthew 5:14-16

"Mom, did you know that you can carry a light into a dark room and light it up, but you can't carry darkness anywhere at all?" Brody said. He and his sister Rey had begun a unit study on light and shadow.

Rey said, "That's silly! You can trap darkness under a bowl and haul it around." She giggled. "I have a book of hand shadows. Can we try some?"

Mom took a flashlight into the den, and the children followed the instructions in Rey's book. They shined the flashlight on their hands to make dog, butterfly, and goose shadows on the wall.

Mom handed them a few items. "Can you make shadows of these?"

Rey held up a miniature flag, an action figure, and a candlestick. Brody aimed the flashlight at them. Each one cast a distinct shadow on the wall.

Mom pulled out a box of long matches and lit one. "Shine the light on this. What do you see?"

The children had puzzled expressions. Rey said, "Not much."

"Watch the flame carefully." Mom held the match up so Brody could shine the flashlight on it.

"Nothing!" both children said almost at the same time.

"Weird," said Brody. "The matchstick has a shadow, but not the flame."

"Hey, that's like my Bible club verse from last week!" Rey said. "It was John 1:5. 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.'"

Mom blew out the match before it burned her fingers. "Good job. And Brody, I think you also learned one about light this week here at home."

"Yeah, let's see if I can remember." Brody squeezed his eyes shut. "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."

"Wow," said Rey. "Light doesn't even have a shadow."

Mom nodded. "That's right. And Jesus calls believers the light of the world. Our world is a dark place full of sin, sadness, and death, but because we know Jesus, we can spread the light of His love to others and point them to the hope we have in Him. Think about how wherever you go, you carry His light with you, and no darkness can overcome it."

"Let's show our friends how light has no shadow when they come over after school," Brody said. "They'll be amazed!"

-Robin Steinweg

How About You?
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the bad news you hear? Take courage! No matter how dark, bad, or sad things seem in our world--or even in our lives--remember that if you're a follower of Jesus, He is in you. Wherever you go, you carry His light. And darkness can't overcome light, but light always overcomes darkness. Jesus has saved you and given you eternal life, and you can share that hope with others.

Today's Key Verse:
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. (NIV) (1 John 1:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Share God's light with others

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:23-31

"You know how I've always wanted to be a doctor?" asked Ethan as he helped himself to a drumstick at his grandparents' house. "Well, we had a special visitor at church last week--a surgeon from a mission hospital in Africa. They need lots more doctors there, so maybe I'll go to Africa someday." Ethan beamed. "I told God I'd go wherever He wants me to."

Grandma smiled. "That's great, Ethan."

"Yeah, but…" Ethan paused. "I don't know if I can do it. It costs a lot to go to school to learn how to be a doctor, and it's hard work. I might not be smart enough."

"Well, I'm not saying it will be easy, but if that's what God wants you to do, He'll help you work it out," Grandpa assured him. But Ethan still looked doubtful.

After dinner, Ethan and Grandpa went out to the garden to pick raspberries to eat with ice cream. "Look at all the berries!" exclaimed Ethan. "We should have brought a bigger container. I'll go get one." He ran to the house and tried to take the four steps to the porch in one big leap, but ended up sprawled across the stairs.

When Ethan returned, Grandpa grinned at him. "You couldn't take all four steps at once, could you? Well, reaching the goal of being a missionary doctor is like reaching the top of those steps. You can't get there all at once--you need to take one step at a time."

Ethan looked back at the steps. "The steps to the porch are easy to see, but I'm not sure what steps God wants me to take."

"I think you took your first step when you told God you'd serve Him wherever He wants you," said Grandpa. "The next step will probably be to study hard. And maybe the third will be learning to save money. Trust God to show you each step and help you reach it. Most importantly, remember that He's working in your life so others can see His love in you. No matter what you end up doing, He'll help you point others to Jesus."

Ethan nodded. "Okay. I guess I'd better go home and start on my second step. I've got a test I need to study for." He grinned. "After we have ice cream, of course!"

-Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Do you feel like God wants you to serve Him in a way that seems hard? Whether it's something you think He wants you to do now or in the future, know that He will help you every step of the way. Trust Him to show you each step and how to get there, and remember that He may lead you somewhere different than you expect. No matter where you end up or what He calls you to do, He will help you share His love with others.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (NLT) (Psalm 37:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust God to lead you step by step

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation 21:2, 23-27

Judah played outside near his dad, who was working on his car and listening to a sermon on his phone. Judah heard clips of the message--something about a very important book God keeps. The pastor called it the Book of Life. He said only people whose names were written in that book would be allowed into heaven. Wow! I better be good, thought Judah, or else my name might not get in.

When Judah started to tease his little sister later that day, he remembered the Book of Life, and so he gave her a ride on his scooter instead. He also took out the garbage without being asked, and he didn't complain when his mom said he couldn't have a cookie so close to suppertime.

Judah made a list of all the good things he had done that day and proudly showed it to his dad. "Will God write my name in His book now?" Judah asked.

"Well, let's think about that," said Dad. "Do you think your teacher at church should write down your name as a winner in the Bible memory contest because you did all these good things? Would that be fair?"

Judah looked puzzled and shook his head. "I didn't learn enough verses yet."

"That's right," said Dad. "You have to meet the requirement to be a winner in the contest, and it isn't that you need to be good. And you have to meet God's requirement to get your name in His book."

"What's that?" asked Judah.

"God's requirement is that you trust Jesus to be your Savior," said Dad. "Heaven is a perfect place--no sin can enter there. But we're all sinners, and sin must be punished. Jesus took the punishment for our sin so those who trust Him can have their sins forgiven and enter heaven. Would you like to trust Him to take your sin away and write your name in His book?"

Judah nodded, and Dad prayed with him. In his mind, Judah could see Jesus writing in a big book in heaven: Judah Ellery. His name was listed in the book--not because of what he had done, but because of what Jesus had done for him.

-Matilda H. Nordtvedt

How About You?
Is your name written in the Book of Life? It's the only way you can get into heaven, and you can't make it happen by being good. It only happens when you trust Jesus as your Savior. Then your sins are all forgiven and your name is written in God's book in heaven. Trust in Jesus today, and He will give you eternal life! (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (NKJV) (Luke 10:20)

Today's Key Thought:
Be sure your name is written in heaven