Bible Reading: Psalm 34:4-9, 17-19; Romans 8:28

Lucy didn't feel like going on the class field trip to the rock quarry. She just wanted Ginger, her lost cat, to come home and her dad to get his job back. I just want everything to be okay again, she thought as she got off the bus with the rest of the kids.

The quarry foreman handed out hard hats to everyone. "We're going to have a dynamite blast today to loosen and break the stone in the quarry," he said, motioning to the other side of a large pit. A loud horn blared. "After the horn blasts three times, cover your ears!" the foreman called out. The horn sounded two more times, and then--BOOM! A loud explosion sent dust and rocks flying. Once the all-clear horn sounded, the foreman let the kids move closer so they could see what had happened. "Don't worry, kids. They've got it all under control," he said, pointing to the workers who controlled the operation and set off the blasts.

When Lucy got home, she picked up one of Ginger's cat toys as she told her mom about the quarry trip. "Sometimes I feel like everything's being blown apart here at home too," said Lucy.

"I know, honey. When bad things happen it can feel like our whole world is being blown to pieces. Maybe that's when we should remember the workers at the quarry."

"The workers?" asked Lucy. "Why them?"

"They made sure the blasts were safe and controlled, right?" asked Mom. Lucy nodded. "They remind us that someone is in control of our lives too--God. Nothing can happen to us unless He allows it, and He promises to be with us and see us through whatever experiences we face."

"But why does He let bad things happen--like Ginger getting lost and Dad losing his job?" asked Lucy.

"Well, there's no easy answer to that, but remember the workers need the explosions in the quarry to loosen the stone, otherwise they wouldn't be able to get it out. Perhaps God allows explosions in our lives at times to loosen our hearts and get good things out--things like growing in our relationship with Jesus and showing His love to others who are going through hard times."

-Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Have you had difficult things happen to you recently? It's okay to feel sad about it, but remember that God is in complete control. Jesus understands how you feel because He suffered too, and He'll be with you through whatever hard situations you have to face. Trust Him to bring good things into your life out of difficulties and to use them to make you more like Him.

Today's Key Verse:
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. (NIV) (Psalm 34:19)

Today's Key Thought:
God is in control

Bible Reading: Luke 6:43-45; Galatians 5:22-23

"Mom!" Tucker shouted as he dashed into the house. "A dump truck just hit the curb, and now there's a huge pile of gravel blocking our street! Come out and see it."

"I can't leave this pizza sauce right now," Mom said as she sprinkled oregano into the bubbling red mixture she was stirring on the stove. "I'll come out as soon as it's finished."

"Well, I hope they get rid of the gravel before Dad tries to come home," said Tucker. "He won't get past that pile on the road!"

"He may have to go a bit out of his way, but I'm sure he'll find a way to get here," said Mom.

By the time Dad came home, the road had been cleared. Tucker was kneading dough for the pizza crust as he told his dad the story of how the dump truck spilled its load. "All that gravel fell out when the truck hit the curb," said Tucker. "Good thing they had a big scooper to clean up the mess."

"Good thing." Dad nodded thoughtfully. "You know, people are like that truck."

"What?" Tucker asked in surprise. "How?"

"We all run into curbs at some point--bumpy times in our lives," Dad explained. "When we do, whatever is in our hearts comes spilling out."

"That's right," said Mom. "If we trust in Jesus and depend on Him to guide the way we think and act, His love in our lives will be evident to others by the way we treat them, even when things aren't going so well. But if we ignore God and live life however we want, the pride and selfishness in our hearts comes spilling out when we face a difficult situation."

Dad nodded as he tasted the pizza sauce and sprinkled a little more oregano into it. "When we hit a curb in life, the contents of our hearts spill out for everyone to see. That's why it's important to have a relationship with Jesus and trust Him to help us love others. Then when we face a bumpy situation, others will see that He's filled our hearts with good things."

-Dalan Decker

How About You?
What happens when you hit a curb in the road of life? Do you look to Jesus for help? Or do you complain and lash out at those around you? You can often see the way people really are when they're going through hardship. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you have His goodness and love in your heart. Trust Him to help you show it through your words and actions, even when the hard times come along.

Today's Key Verse:
What people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts. (ERV) (Luke 6:45)

Today's Key Thought:
Show love in hard times

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:10-12

"Elliot, you can open the door to the house while I get the groceries from the trunk," said Mom. She pulled the keys from the ignition and held on to one as she handed them to him. "This is--"

But Elliot grabbed the ring and scrambled out of the car in a flash. He ran to the door and eagerly shoved in a key. The lock wouldn't turn. He fumbled with the jangling keys and selected another one. It wouldn't even go in. Frustrated, he tried one more, then yelled, "Mom! Which one?"

Mom gently took the key ring from him. "It's the one I was holding," she said. "I tried to tell you, but you bolted out of the car before I could finish." She held out a short silver key.

Sheepishly, Elliot slid the key in and unlocked the door. He returned the key ring with a grin. "I guess there's only one key that will work."

Mom smiled as she loaded his arms with groceries. "Yes, and that's true for more than one thing. Only one key for the house, one for the car--and even only one for heaven. And you know what? Many people--even adults--don't know what key is needed to get into heaven."

"What do you mean?" asked Elliot as he followed his mother into the bright kitchen.

Mom set the groceries on the table and began putting them away as she explained. "God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins so we could be saved and have eternal life. But instead of receiving that key to salvation, people often try their own imitations." She turned to Elliot and dangled the key ring in front of him. "Remember how you felt when you tried to use the wrong keys?"

"Yeah--locked out!" said Elliot.

"If the key we use to get to heaven isn't the right one, we'll be locked out of there too," said Mom. "We may go to church and try to be good and do what looks to us like the right thing, but doing those things won't open the door to salvation and eternal life. Jesus is the only key--the only way--to heaven. No other key will work."

-Jean A. Burns

How About You?
What key are you hoping will get you into heaven? Do you think going to church or being good will open heaven's door for you? Those are good things to do, but they won't save you. You can only get into heaven through Jesus. Trust Him as your Savior today and know for sure you have the right key. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
I [Jesus] am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV) (John 14:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is the key to heaven

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:29; James 3:5-10

"Look what Otis did!" Maria showed her father her soggy, torn slipper. "I scolded him and put him outside."

"I'm sorry, honey," Dad said as he took the mangled slipper. "I can see that little puppy needs a lot more training."

Mom spoke from the doorway. "Maria, Iris is on the phone for you." She held out her phone.

A few minutes later, Maria's voice boomed from the kitchen. "You always want me to do all the work, Iris. You're so lazy! I'm never doing a school project with you again."

"What was that about?" asked Mom when Maria returned her phone. "I thought Iris was your best friend."

"She…she just caught me at a bad time," mumbled Maria.

"Did your sister catch you at a bad time too?" asked Mom. "I heard you yell at her this morning."

Maria blushed. "She always bothers me when I'm tired. But I told her I was sorry." Maria brightened. "I'll call Iris back and apologize to her."

Just then Otis whined at the door. "I think Otis wants to come in and apologize too," said Dad, handing the chewed-up slipper to Maria.

Maria looked at it. "Don't let him in," she grumbled crossly. "My slipper is ruined because of him."

Dad nodded. "You know, Maria, even if you forgive Otis and let him in, it won't fix your slipper. That's mangled for good."

"I know that," said Maria. "That's why I'm mad at him!"

"Well, feelings can be mangled just like your slipper," said Dad. "Once you've said something, it really can't be taken back. You can be sorry and say so, but the words have already hurt. Often there is no way to repair the damage."

"That's right," said Mom. "There are several people you need to apologize to, but even if they forgive you, you've still hurt their feelings. You need to be more careful to control your tongue and not say hurtful things in the first place."

"But I…I don't know how," said Maria.

"Think before you speak," said Dad. "When you feel angry, count to ten before you say anything. Most of all, remember that Jesus gives you the ability to love others the way He does. Trust Him to help you speak in love, not anger."

-Harriett A. Durrell

How About You?
Do you say things you don't mean? It's so easy to do. The Bible has a lot to say about how much trouble your tongue can cause. It also gives the cure--let the love of Christ in your heart control what you say. If you've had trouble controlling your tongue, apologize to those you've hurt. Then use your words to encourage others and solve problems in a loving way.

Today's Key Verse:
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (NIV) (Proverbs 12:18)

Today's Key Thought:
Use your words in a loving way

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

"Sarah, Lynn, you need to start packing," Mom said. "The hurricane has turned and is heading this way. They're evacuating the barrier islands."

Sarah quickly jumped into action and started packing, but Lynn began to cry. "I'm scared!"

"It's going to be okay, Lynn," said Mom. "We'll be gone before the storm hits. We'll follow the escape plan and head north to Grandma and Grandpa's house."

Once the car was packed and the house was boarded up, they got on the road. The traffic leaving the islands was already backed up for miles. It was going to take a while to reach the mainland, and from there it would take another four hours to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Good thing Lynn and Sarah packed a lot of toys.

When they finally arrived, the girls gave each of their grandparents a big hug and then ran into the backyard to play. It felt good to be out of the car and running around again.

The next day when Grandpa was watching the news, Sarah and Lynn saw the damage the storm was doing as it ripped through the islands. Then it showed footage of people being rescued from rooftops.

"I thought everyone had to leave the islands," Sarah said.

"They were supposed to, but some chose to stay," said Grandpa.

Lynn frowned. "Why didn't they escape when they had the chance?"

"Some probably chose not to heed the warnings. Others probably didn't have a way to leave." Grandpa turned off the TV. "Did you know there's one situation where we always have the option to escape? The Bible says that whenever we're tempted to sin, God provides a way out."

"He gives us an escape plan out of temptation?" asked Sarah.

Grandpa nodded. "We have a choice to make whenever we're tempted to do something that's wrong. Do we choose God's escape plan and use the power He gives us to say no to sin, or do we choose to give in to the temptation and then face the consequences of our bad choices?"

"Well, I sure am glad Mom and Dad got us safely off the island before the hurricane hit," Sarah said.

"Me too!" said Lynn. "And next time I'm tempted to do something wrong, I want to follow God's escape plan."

-Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Have you ever been tempted to do something that you knew was wrong? God always provides a way of escape for us when we are tempted to sin. If you know Jesus as your Savior, He has given you the power to resist temptation and say no to sin. Trust Him to show you a way out, then be willing to follow His plan.

Today's Key Verse:
God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out. (NLT) (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Today's Key Thought:
Choose to escape temptation