Bible Reading: John 15:1-5; Galatians 5:22-23

It was a sunny, warmer-than-normal February afternoon. "It's a perfect day to prune the muscadines!" Dad announced.

Cole and Ella threw on their warm clothes and met Mom and Dad outside. Dad hooked the trailer up to the tractor while Mom got the pruning tools. Then she and the kids climbed into the trailer while Dad took the wheel.

As they rode down to the vineyard, Cole asked, "Why do we prune the muscadines every year?"

"Yeah," Ella agreed. "We're cutting back the vines. Won't that mean fewer grapes?"

"Actually, the old shoots just take food away from the main vine," Mom explained. "They cause the vines to produce less fruit."

"So we prune them so they'll produce more muscadines," said Cole.

Dad pulled the tractor up to the first row. He and Mom began snipping away at the old vines while Ella and Cole collected the cuttings to make wreathes later.

After a successful day of work, everyone gathered in the living room for devotions. Ella paused her wreath-making as Cole handed Dad the Bible.

Dad flipped to a page and read John 15:2. "He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more."

"That's what we did today!" said Ella. "We pruned the muscadines so they'll bear more fruit."

Mom nodded. "But the Lord has to prune us sometimes too."

"What do you mean?" Cole asked.

"Well, sometimes there are things in our lives that the Lord has to cut away, such as sinful patterns or unhealthy attitudes. This process can be painful, but if we allow the Lord to prune us, we can be certain that it will help us grow in our relationship with Jesus, our Vine. We can't grow spiritual fruit by ourselves, which is why we need the Holy Spirit to prune us. Then our lives will overflow with spiritual fruit as we shine the love of Jesus to others."

"I want to be like a well-pruned muscadine vine," said Cole.

"Me too!" Ella exclaimed.

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Have you ever seen a plant being pruned? Maybe you've seen your parents trim bushes or workers cut dead branches off trees. This is what the Holy Spirit does to us. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, God gives us the Holy Spirit to transform our lives and give us the ability to produce spiritual fruit. As He prunes us by helping us turn away from sin, we produce fruit such as love, peace, kindness, gentleness, and other character traits that demonstrate God's love to others.

Today's Key Verse:
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. (NLT) (John 15:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Let God prune you

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:23-25

"My class is going on a field trip to see Mount Vernon, George Washington's home," Anissa told her parents. "We've been learning about him, and I need to get books from the library and write a report on his life."

"That's great," said Mom. "I'm sure learning about him before the trip will make it more enjoyable." So Anissa got to work, reading books about George Washington and writing her report.

When Anissa arrived home after the field trip, she told her parents about the good time she'd had. "It was so much fun to see the things and places I'd read about. I even knew some things the guide didn't mention."

After eating breakfast on Sunday, Dad stood up to help Anissa clear the table. "Okay, Anissa. Let's hear your memory verse before we leave for church," he said.

"Um, well, I don't know it yet," Anissa confessed. "I was too busy this week. I'll go study it right now." She hurried off before Dad could reply.

Learning the verse took longer than Anissa expected, and she had to hurry to get ready for church. When it was time to leave, her hair wasn't quite dry and she couldn't find her Bible. After hunting a few minutes, she finally shrugged and ran out to the car without it.

After church, Anissa sighed as she got into the car. "I haven't been getting much out of church lately," she said.

"Anissa," said Mom, "why did you do a lot of reading and write a report about Mount Vernon before going on your trip there?"

"My teacher said I had to. But I'm glad, because learning about it ahead of time made it more special!"

"Why don't you do the same for church?" suggested Mom. "Prepare for it by setting aside some time the night or morning before to read your Bible, learn your verse for Sunday school, and ask God to prepare your heart to worship Him and listen to what He has to say to you."

"Good idea," said Dad. "But don't forget that we go to church to worship Jesus and learn more about Him with other believers. He is present there with us, helping us grow in our relationship with Him--whether we feel it or not."

–Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Do you enjoy going to church? Have you tried preparing for it ahead of time? You can do that by giving yourself time beforehand to read your Bible and pray that God will use the church service to speak to you and others. Church is a special event where we get to be in God's presence with other believers. Prepare your heart so you'll be ready to worship and hear what He has to say to you.

Today's Key Verse:
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." (NKJV) (Psalm 122:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Prepare for church

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:7-13

Emery looked at the tall buildings surrounding her new home. A big lump formed in her throat as she thought about the stormy divorce that had taken her father away from her. She tried to tell her mother how lonely she was, but she felt like Mom didn't really listen. I know Mom's nervous about starting her new job today, thought Emery. But I wish she'd think a little more about me and how I'm feeling on my first day at a new school!

Emery felt nervous as she walked into her new school, but the principal was kind and led Emery to her classroom to introduce her to the class. When the bell rang for lunch, Sara, the girl sitting in front of Emery, turned around. "Want to eat lunch with me?" she asked. Emery breathed a huge sigh of relief as she went with her new friend to the cafeteria.

"What do your parents do?" asked Sara as she and Emery ate.

"My mom is starting a new job at the hospital today, and my dad…" Emery had hoped no one would ask about her dad. "He's a salesman," she said vaguely. "How about your parents? What do they do?"

"My mom's an engineer, and I never knew my dad."

Emery didn't answer right away. "My parents are divorced," she finally said in a small voice. She felt tears rising to her eyes and fought them back. "And Mom just thinks about her own problems and doesn't even listen when I talk about mine."

"I know what you mean," said Sara. "I was really lonely until I met my heavenly Father."

"Your what?" asked Emery.

Sara smiled. "My heavenly Father--God. He always listens. I can talk to Him about anything, and He helps me not feel so lonely."

"Must be nice," said Emery wistfully.

Sara leaned forward in her chair. "Why don't you come to church with me and learn about Him? He can be your heavenly Father too!"

"You mean He'll listen to me too?" asked Emery. "And help me not feel lonely?"

"Definitely," said Sara. "He loves us and sent us His Son, Jesus, because He wants us to be His children." She got up. "Ready to go outside?"

"Yes," Emery said, "but tell me more about your heavenly Father!"

–Matilda H. Nordtvedt

How About You?
Do you know God as your heavenly Father? Even if you have a dad in your life, you need a relationship with God. You can know Him because of what Jesus did for you when He died on the cross for your sins and rose again. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) He loves you and is always ready to listen to what you have to say. Why not go to Him right now?

Today's Key Verse:
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. (NKJV) (Psalm 34:15)

Today's Key Thought:
God always listens

Bible Reading: Mark 14:3-9

"Our youth group is helping out at a preschool program at church next week," Charlotte told her mother as she helped weed the flower beds. "Bria has a great voice, so she's going to teach the kids songs, and Eduardo's a lot of fun, so he's in charge of games." Charlotte sighed. "I'm just helping with check-in."

"Well, that's an important part of the program too," Mom said. "They need to make sure all the kids are accounted for and direct them where to go."

Charlotte shrugged. "I really want to help out and serve the Lord--I just wish I had more to offer."

"Charlotte, that's not--" Mom was interrupted by a squeal from little Billy, who was hurrying across the lawn toward them.

"I make present for Mommy!" he called. Clutched in his soil-stained little hands was a small pot half-filled with dirt. Billy had stuck a dandelion into the dirt. Charlotte grinned as Billy ran toward them with a huge smile on his face.

Mom turned to Charlotte. "It's a dumb present, isn't it?" she asked quietly. "That old pot he used is cracked and dirty. And that's just a weed! He should have brought me roses from the florist."

Charlotte looked horrified. "Mom! How would he get them? He's only three! You're not going to tell him that, are you?"

When Billy reached them, Mom bent down and took the flower pot he offered. "Thank you, Billy Boy! I'll put this right in the middle of our dining room table." She gave him a hug and then turned back to Charlotte as Billy ran off. "Actually, I love Billy's gift, even if it's not perfect. I know he brought it to me because he loves me. And when we offer gifts to God, with real love in our hearts, don't you think He's pleased and accepts them too--no matter how big or small they seem?"

"You're talking about me helping with check-in next week, aren't you?" asked Charlotte.

Mom nodded. "I'm glad Billy brought me the gift he was able to give me. That's what God wants us to do too. He wants us to do what we can to serve Him out of love and gratitude for all He's done for us."

–Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
Do you give gifts of your time, money, or talents to God? Don't compare what you can do with what others do or spend time wishing you had talents God gave to someone else. He wants you to serve Him with the abilities He gave you. If your heart is filled with love for God and gratitude for everything Jesus has done for you, He accepts your gifts with great joy.

Today's Key Verse:
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (NIV) (Romans 12:6 )

Today's Key Thought:
God loves your gifts to Him

Bible Reading: Matthew 10:29-31; 25:31-40

The cold winter wind bit at Maryam's nose and ears as she and her mother were shopping downtown. "Can we stop at the pet store and get some birdseed?" asked Maryam. Mom agreed, and they headed for the store.

As they passed an alley, they saw a man sleeping there, huddled against a wall. He was shivering in a shabby coat, his hands bare and his toes poking out from his shoes. Maryam grabbed her mother by the hand and quickly pulled her past the alley. "What's wrong?" asked Mom.

"That man made me nervous," said Maryam. "Why is he dressed like that? And why is he sleeping on the street on such a cold day?"

"He must be homeless," said Mom.

"We talked about homeless people at school," Maryam said as they went into the pet store. "But I didn't think there were any in small towns like ours."

After buying a bag of birdseed, Maryam and her mother started back to the car. As they passed the alley, they saw that the man was gone. Mom looked sad. "I hope he's okay."

When they got home, Maryam filled the family's backyard feeder with birdseed. Then she went inside and rubbed the cold from her tingling fingers. She joined her mother at the window, and they watched birds swoop down to the feeder. "I'm glad we can put out seeds for them," Maryam said. "It's so cold, and it's hard for them to find food. They might die without us." Maryam smiled as she watched the birds flutter around the feeder and peck at the seeds. "You know what? Some verses I read in my Bible this morning said God knows about every sparrow that falls. He cares about birds."

"Yes," said Mom. "And He cares about people much more than birds. People are so valuable to Him that Jesus became one of us so we could be saved from sin and live with Him forever."

Maryam stared out at the snowy backyard, thinking of the man they'd seen. "We found a way to help the birds through the cold winter. Maybe we could find a way to help homeless people too."

"I'm sure we can," Mom said. "Let's come up with some ideas."

–Daryl B. Knauer

How About You?
Do you know of someone who's in need? In today's Key Verse, Jesus tells Christians that doing something for someone in need is the same as doing it for Him. Think about what you could do. Perhaps you could donate food, money, or even your time to your church or another organization that helps people. Ask God to show you how you can share His love by helping those in need.

Today's Key Verse:
Truly I [Jesus] tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (NIV) (Matthew 25:40)

Today's Key Thought:
Help those in need