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 Or do you still have outdated habits from your old life taking up space--things like lying, a hot temper, or a desire to get even with someone?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

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Lily worried about everything. One day at recess, she was so worried that she sat on a swing, tears trickling down her cheeks.

Her friend Anna sat beside her. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm worried."

"About what?"

Lily wiped away her tears. "Everything. I'm worried about our spelling quiz and about my dentist appointment tomorrow…and I'm worried I'll never stop worrying!"

After a pause, Anna said, "Do you want to go to church with me tonight?"

"Tonight?" Lily frowned. She'd never been to church. "I thought church was on Sundays."

"We have kids' church on Wednesdays. Ask your parents. It would be fun!"

Lily wasn't sure how church would help with her worrying. So far, Anna's invitation had only made her more worried. But Anna was a good friend, so Lily figured she might as well ask.

Her parents said yes, so Lily went to church with Anna. When Lily noticed that the other kids already knew each other, worry filled her again. But soon, fun replaced the worry. They sang songs and played games.

Then the children's pastor--Pastor Casey--talked to them about a man named Jesus. And about worry. "When Jesus taught about worry, he talked about the birds. Do the birds worry about what they eat or what they're going to wear?"

"No," said all the kids except Lily. She was too busy thinking.

"But God created them, and He takes care of them. Do you think you matter more than the birds?"

"Yes!"

"So, do we need to worry about what is going to happen? Or can we trust God to care for us?"

"We can trust God." Lily was surprised to hear her own voice.

"Jesus wants us to come to Him," Pastor Casey said. "He promises to give us rest."

Lily wondered what it would be like to experience rest. She wanted to learn more about Jesus. After Pastor Casey finished speaking, Lily knew what to do.

"I want to talk to Pastor Casey," she told Anna. "Will you come with me?"

Anna beamed. "Of course."

– Becca Wierwille

How About You?
Have you ever felt like your mind was stuffed full with worries? Each day gives us plenty to worry about, but Jesus teaches us that worry won't change a thing--instead, we can trust God to care for us. We can hand our worries to Jesus, who loves us so much He died for us, and He promises to give us rest. What worries can you turn over to Jesus today? Let Him carry your worries for you, and if you still feel burdened by worry, tell an adult so they can help.

Today's Key Verse:
Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (NLT) ( Matthew 11:28 )

Today's Key Thought:
Trade worry for rest

Bible Reading: James 1:2-4; 5:7-8

Ian sighed and moved his wheelchair closer to the table. "Blaine, hang on. We have to put the edges of the puzzle together first, or else it will be harder to find where the other pieces go. Can you find some flat edges?"

"But I want to put the doggy together!" Blaine whined.

"You can, but first we have to find the edges." Ian started turning pieces over.

"But I want to put the dog together!" Blaine slouched in his chair.

"I bet I can find more edges than you," Ian said, slyly reaching for a piece.

"No! I can find more!" Suddenly grinning, Blaine began searching through the pile of pieces.

"Can I help?" Renee, the fifth of their six sisters, stopped by the table.

"No, you need to get your math problems corrected," Mom said, tapping the counter. "Come here."

Ten minutes later, the puzzle was finished and forgotten, and Blaine and Renee were outside, building a snowman with their sisters Maureen and Cecilia while Ian watched them from the patio door.

"Thank you for being patient with Blaine and keeping him occupied so I could finish correcting your sister's schoolwork." Mom noticed Ian's face. "What's the matter?"

Ian backed his wheelchair away from the door. "I just wish I could be out there with them." He looked down at the casts on his legs. "Why do my legs have to take so long to heal?"

"They have to form osteoclasts and osteoblasts and rebuild what's been broken." Mom smiled at Ian's grimace. "That's what you get when your mother was a nurse. I know it's hard, but I also know you can persevere."

"It's the persevering I'm not good at. I just get restless and irritable."

"Like Blaine. You'd rather be putting together the dog than finding the edges." Mom tapped the puzzle. "But skipping the edges would leave the puzzle unfinished. I know it's hard to be patient, but God will give you grace to get through it. Remember that He's working on a bigger picture than what we see, but we know what it will look like when it's finished--it will be perfect, and we'll never have to deal with pain or sickness ever again. Until then, Jesus will be with us through every trial and will help us be patient as He puts all the pieces of the puzzle together."

– Ellie Shirk

How About You?
Do you find it hard to be patient when you're going through something hard? Whatever it is, Jesus can help you persevere. We all go through struggles in our lives, but Jesus promises to be with us through them and to one day end our troubles forever when He returns to make everything new. Trust Him to help you be patient while He finishes the perfect picture He's putting together.

Today's Key Verse:
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJV) (James 1:4)

Today's Key Thought:
God gives grace to be patient

Bible Reading: Proverbs 23:22-26; Isaiah 46:3-4; 1 Peter 5:5

"Where are you guys going?" asked Brooks when he saw his twin neighbors, Anthony and Luca, coming down the sidewalk.

Luca grinned. "Come on. You'll see."

Curious, Brooks walked along with them. He was surprised when they stopped in front of the home of their elderly neighbor, Mrs. Wilson. Luca pointed at some bushes on the side of the house. "Those will make a good hiding place."

Anthony nodded and looked at Brooks. "We thought Mrs. Wilson might enjoy a few friendly rounds of Ding Dong Ditch. You know, when you ring someone's doorbell and then run and hide."

"I know what Ding Dong Ditch is," said Brooks. "And Mrs. Wilson would definitely not enjoy it."

"Aw, come on, it's just a game. And even if she sees us, she doesn't know who we are," said Anthony. "Don't be such a wimp!"

Anthony and Luca tiptoed up the porch steps. With Anthony close behind, Luca punched the bell. Then they ran for the bushes. Brooks quickly looked around and, seeing a newspaper lying on the sidewalk, picked it up and ran up the steps to the front door.

A moment later, the door swung open, and there stood Mrs. Wilson, squinting out of the dark hallway. "Yes?" she said in her quivering voice.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Wilson," said Brooks, holding out the paper. "You didn't pick up your newspaper this morning, so I thought I'd bring it to you."

"Oh, thank you!" said Mrs. Wilson. "Aren't you kind! You're Brooks, aren't you?" Brooks nodded, and Mrs. Wilson smiled. "Yes, I've seen you at church. You know, I sometimes get frustrated when this old body of mine makes it hard for me to do even simple things, but when I was having my quiet time with Jesus this morning, He reminded me that He still loves me and will always take care of me. And then He sent you to bring me my newspaper!"

Mrs. Wilson turned and saw the twins peeking out from behind the bushes. "Oh, and there's Anthony and Luca Soldano. I know your parents!" The twins' eyebrows shot up in alarm. "The next time I see them I'll tell them how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness," Mrs. Wilson said. "Kids aren't always so nice around here, you know."

"Yes, ma'am," said Brooks, glancing over at Anthony and Luca. "We know."

– Sam L. Sullivan

How About You?
Do you treat elderly people with respect? Old age comes with many hardships, but Jesus promises to love and care for us no matter how old we are. He wants you to be kind to elderly people. What can you do for elderly people you know? Maybe you can help them with chores or ask them to tell you about their lives. See how you can show them God's love and remind them that He cares for them.

Today's Key Verse:
I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (NLT) (Isaiah 46:4 )

Today's Key Thought:
Respect elderly people