Bible Reading: James 3:1-12

Kaylee threw down her phone and fell back on her bed.

I can't believe Emma isn't inviting me to her party. I thought we were friends!

Just then Mom walked into her room. "Kaylee, please make your bed and take your laundry basket to the laundry room."

Kaylee groaned. "I don't feel like doing it right now, Mom. You're on the way to the laundry room, so why don't you take it yourself."

"Kaylee! Do not talk to me like that. We each have chores we have to do. One of yours is to make your bed and pick up your room."

"I'll do it later," Kaylee said.

Mom frowned at her. "Kaylee," she said in a warning tone.

Kaylee got up and started to smooth out her sheets. "I'm not sure why I talked back to you. I guess I felt angry because Emma just told me I wasn't invited to her party." She sighed as she fluffed her pillow. "Emma's attitude sometimes changes for no reason, and she can really hurt my feelings. One minute she's talking about all the fun we had at youth group, and the next she's telling me I'm not invited to her party. It's like her words turn instantly rude!" She looked at her mom. "But then I just did the same thing to you, didn't I? What makes us change like that?"

"Sometimes feeling disappointed or mad can make us want to hurt others," replied Mom. "We need to watch what we say when we feel upset or hurt. And if we do sin with our words, we should ask for forgiveness right away--from both God and the person we hurt." Mom put an arm around Kaylee. "Remember that Jesus loves you, me, and Emma all the same. He forgives us when we hurt others with our words, and He'll also help us speak in a loving way, even when we feel upset."

Kaylee nodded. "I'm sorry, Mom. I guess I was upset at Emma and took it out on you." She sighed. "I was really looking forward to Emma's party. Now what am I supposed to do?"

"Well," said Mom, "Jesus forgives us when we hurt others, and He also helps us forgive others when they hurt us."

-Christine Collier

How About You?
What kind of words come out of your mouth? Does it change depending on how you feel? Are you more likely to say rude or mean words when you feel disappointed or upset? When we say hurtful words in response to feeling hurt ourselves, it only makes things worse. If you've hurt someone with your words, ask them to forgive you, and ask Jesus for forgiveness too. Then trust Him to help you show His love to others through your words all the time.

Today's Key Verse:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. (NIV) (Ephesians 4:29)

Today's Key Thought:
Watch your words

Bible Reading: Luke 10:25-37

Daniel usually loved going to science club at the library. Since he was homeschooled, it was fun meeting other kids his age and getting to learn with them. But lately, Daniel had been coming home from science club feeling down and irritated.

"Daniel, what's going on?" Mom asked when she picked him up outside the library. "I've noticed that you don't seem to be yourself after club anymore. Is something bothering you?"

"Someone is bothering me, not something!" Daniel replied in frustration. "There's a new boy named Oliver at club who believes that the world and everything in it was accidently made by some big explosion, not by God. He talks about it all the time, and I hate it. I wish he wasn't there!"

"That's challenging, Dan, and I can see why you're feeling frustrated. But do you know that Oliver is your neighbor?"

"No, he's not!" Daniel responded. "He lives on the other side of town and goes to the big elementary school there."

"I'm not talking about where Oliver lives, Daniel. In the Bible, Jesus taught His followers to love all people as if they were good neighbors and to show them kindness and respect. And He used a story about a Samaritan man to do it."

"I remember that story. But I never understood what a Samaritan was or why it was important that he helped the man who got robbed."

"In Bible times, Samaritans didn't believe everything that God's people, the Israelites, believed," Mom explained. "Because of this, many of the Israelites looked down on the Samaritan people and didn't want to have anything to do with them. Yet Jesus used a Samaritan man as an example of how to show love to people who are different from us. Like the Samaritan, we need to treat those who are different from us as neighbors because Jesus loves them so much He died for them too. Can you think of some ways you could treat Oliver like a neighbor?"

"Well, I guess I could try talking to him and asking him questions," said Daniel.

"Exactly!" said Mom. "And who knows? Maybe you'll have the opportunity to tell Oliver about who God is and how His creation shows His power and goodness. Let's pray and ask God to help you be a good neighbor to Oliver."

-Ashleigh Awosika

How About You?
Do you find it challenging to be around people who are different from you? If you know Jesus, you can be a good neighbor to all people and show them His love, no matter their backgrounds or beliefs. At His crucifixion, Jesus was able to love and pray for the very people who were hammering nails through His hands and feet. When we struggle with loving others, Jesus will help us. Trust Him to help you love everyone like He does.

Today's Key Verse:
Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself. (ERV) (Luke 10:27 )

Today's Key Thought:
Show God's love to everyone

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Philippians 2:5-8

Dawson scowled as he climbed into the car after basketball practice. "What's wrong, Dawson?" Mom asked. "Did your practice not go well?"

"No!" Dawson responded. "We split into teams for a practice game, and my team won by four, and I scored twenty-eight points! But instead of congratulating me, Coach lectured me after the game. He said I was hogging the ball and taking risky shots. He's going to sit me out half of our game this Friday so the other guys get to play more." Dawson shook his head. "It's not fair, Mom! I'm the best player on our team! I should be on the court."

Mom started driving home. "Do you remember when Dad was offered that high school teaching job last year?" she asked.

"Sure," Dawson replied. "But he turned it down because he likes teaching middle school better, right?"

"Actually, your dad has always wanted to teach high school," Mom explained. "But to take the job, our family would've had to move. You would've had to switch schools in the middle of the year, and I would've had to quit my new job at church. Your dad and I didn't think it would be a good fit for our family, so he turned down the job."

Dawson looked confused. "So Dad turned it down because of us?"

"Yeah," said Mom. "You know, Dad's decision reminds me of a verse in First Corinthians that says not to seek your own good, but the good of many. The Bible tells us that life isn't about making ourselves happy--it's about knowing Jesus and sharing His love with others. Even though He's God, He became human and died for us so we could have eternal life with Him, and He wants to help us show that same kind of love to others. But in order to do that, we have to think about others and how our actions affect them."

Dawson was quiet for a moment. Finally, he sighed. "I guess I could share the ball more with my teammates. Coach thinks it'll help them play better if they have more time handling the ball."

Mom smiled. "Sounds like you're starting to think about the good of many, Dawson. And you know what? That kind of thinking might just make you a better player yourself."

-Amy Tol

How About You?
Do you make decisions based only on what will make you happy? The Bible makes it clear that life isn't all about you--it's about Jesus and sharing His love with others. Friends, family members, neighbors--they all need God's grace, just like you do. And when you make decisions that help them instead of only thinking of yourself, you show them what it's like to be part of God's team.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God…For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (NIV) (1 Corinthians 10:31, 33)

Today's Key Thought:
Seek the good of many

Bible Reading: Psalm 62:5-8; Philippians 4:6-7

Thiago wriggled into the little thicket of shrubs behind the garage. It was his own special hiding place where he always went when he was feeling unhappy and wanted to be alone. Today he felt bad because he'd missed a ball in the ninth inning of his baseball game, and the other kids got mad at him. He sighed deeply as he thought about it.

A little bird rustled in the bushes, and the wind sighed softly overhead in the trees. As Thiago listened to the sounds around him, he began to forget his sadness. He always felt better in his hiding place. Then he heard his mother's voice. "Thiago!" she called. "Grandpa's here." Thiago quickly scrambled out. He didn't want to miss Grandpa's visit.

A few minutes later, Thiago and Grandpa were sipping lemonade on the porch. "Where were you just now?" Grandpa asked.

"I was feeling bad about missing a ball in our game this afternoon, so I went to my special hiding place," Thiago replied, knowing Grandpa would never tell anyone. "It's in the bushes over there behind the garage."

"I had a hiding place of my own when I was a boy," said Grandpa. "It was in the hayloft of the barn." He beamed. "I still have a hiding place."

Thiago looked surprised. "You do?" He wondered what kind of place someone Grandpa's age would use to hide out.

Grandpa nodded. "Get your Bible, and I'll show you where I go." Thiago ran to his room and soon returned with his Bible. "Look up Psalm 32:7," said Grandpa.

Thiago found the verse and read it out loud. "You are my hiding place." Thiago frowned. "You mean God is your hiding place?"

"Yep," said Grandpa. "God's presence is the best hiding place of all. I can go to Him wherever I am and tell Him how I feel. When I do, Jesus fills me with comfort and peace, and I know I can trust Him to be with me and work things out for my good." Grandpa smiled and gave Thiago a hug. "Next time you're sad, why not use the same hiding place I do--go to God. You can do that in your secret hiding place or wherever you are."

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
When you're unhappy, do you take your problems and sadness to God? He wants to hear about anything that's bothering you--trouble at school, disappointments with friends, or problems in your family. The next time you need help, go to the best hiding place of all--the Lord! Tell Him how you feel and trust Him to help you.

Today's Key Verse:
You [God] are my hiding place. (NKJV) (Psalm 32:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Go to God for help

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-2, 8-10

"You and Dad are coming to my band concert tonight, right?" Zane asked at breakfast one day. "I've been practicing so much, I think I know our pieces backwards! And I get to play a special number with a smaller group--a brass ensemble."

"We'll be there," Mom assured him. "We wouldn't miss it."

"Can I go too?" asked Matilda eagerly. Mom assured her that she could go along.

When it was time to get ready for the concert that evening, Zane was a bit nervous. "The timing on some of our pieces is kinda tricky," he said. "What if I mess up?"

"Just watch your conductor carefully and you'll do fine," said Dad.

Zane nodded. "Mr. Liu stopped us in the middle of a piece the other day. Torin, one of the drummers, was really going at it, and he wasn't watching Mr. Liu at all. He played half a line before he realized nobody else was playing. Everybody laughed, even Mr. Liu, but then he gave us all a lecture on how important it is to follow his leading." He paused, then added, "I really like him. He's a good band leader."

"Mine is too," said Matilda.

"You don't have a band leader," said Zane. "You're not in a band."

"Am too!" said Matilda. "I'm a Christian, so I'm in God's band of believers." She looked accusingly at her brother. "You forgot!"

"Good for you, Matilda," said Dad. "You remembered, and I know you want to follow your leader too. Who is that leader?"

"Jesus!" Matilda answered.

"That's right," said Dad. "He's the very best leader of all."

"What happens if I don't follow Him?" asked Matilda.

"Well," said Dad, "Zane's band has to follow their leader to play a beautiful song for other people to hear, and it's the same with Christians too. As we follow Jesus's example and let Him lead us in sharing His love with others, our lives become a beautiful song that helps others hear about Him and what He did to save us. There may be times when we mess up or play out of tune--times when we sin and do things that are selfish and wrong--but all we have to do is confess our sin, and Jesus will forgive us and help us find our place again."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Are you following Jesus? Are you letting Him guide you in how to live your life? If you're a Christian, you're a member of His band of believers--the church--and He is your leader. As you learn more about Him in the Bible, trust Him to lead you in loving others the way He does. There will be times when you mess up and do things that are wrong, but Jesus will forgive you and help you do better. Follow Jesus and trust Him to make your life a beautiful song that points others to Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us. (NIV) (Ephesians 5:1-2 )

Today's Key Thought:
Follow Jesus