Bible Reading: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 45:7; 1 Corinthians 10:10-12

"Hey, Amy! Don't forget to get the wastebasket from my room," said Greyson as he opened the door to go out.

Amy scowled at him. "I hate taking out the trash." She turned to her mother. "Greyson always gets the easy stuff to do while I have to tramp around the house collecting smelly old garbage!"

"You chose that job for this month," Mom reminded her. "You said you were tired of dusting and folding laundry and that Greyson always got the easy jobs--like emptying the trash." Amy muttered to herself as she left to start collecting wastebaskets.

A little later, the back door squeaked loudly as Greyson pushed it open and came back in.

"That squeaky door is driving me crazy!" Amy said crossly. "Quit going in and out, Greyson."

Her brother grinned and turned back toward the door. "I think I left something outside. I'll be back in a minute." He swung the door back and forth.

"Mom, make him stop!" Amy whined, covering her ears.

"Enough, Greyson," said Mom. "Quit teasing."

Just then Dad opened the squeaky door. "I guess it's about time for me to oil these hinges," he said. "They're complaining pretty loudly." He let the door squeak shut behind him as he walked in. "Remember the Bible verses we read for devotions last night--the ones about the Israelites after they left Egypt? They complained a lot--just like this screen door. It needs oil, and I think they needed to apply oil to their lives by remembering God was with them and promised to take care of them. Perhaps that would be what the Bible calls the oil of joy."

"Yeah. Some people around here need some of that oil too," said Greyson, giving his sister a grin.

Amy sighed. "I guess I have been pretty squeaky lately."

"Well, you can apply oil to that squeak by remembering the joy you have in Jesus," said Dad. "He saved us from sin so we could be filled with the joy of knowing Him for all eternity. We can experience that joy by remembering He loves us and is always with us--even when things don't go our way."

Amy straightened up. "Okay…sorry for complaining. Now, who has trash they'd like me to get rid of?"

–Maria I. Sellers

How About You?
Do you complain a lot? Are you constantly telling those around you about every little thing that isn't exactly the way you'd like it? If so, you need to apply some oil of joy to your life. Remember how much Jesus loves you and all that He has done for you. Instead of complaining, praise Him and trust Him to help you learn to be content with what He's given you.

Today's Key Verse:
Do everything without complaining or arguing. (ERV) (Philippians 2:14 )

Today's Key Thought:
Don't complain

Bible Reading: John 14:25-27

Ian and Matilda's new golden retriever puppy gnawed on an old shoe. "Ringo sure played hard today," Ian said. "He never rests!"

"Kids!" Mom called. "It's time to put Ringo to bed."

Ian and Matilda had promised they would take care of their new puppy. This was Ringo's first night with the family, and the kids were eager to keep their promise.

"Come on, Ringo," said Matilda. She lifted the puppy and carried him to the soft doggie bed at the end of the hall.

"Sleep tight," said Ian, patting Ringo's head. The puppy looked at the kids for a moment, then hopped out of the bed.

"Maybe he needs a blanket," said Matilda. Ian found an old quilt, and Matilda tucked it around Ringo. The puppy looked at them with sad eyes.

"He's still not happy," said Ian.

"I heard a ticking clock helps new puppies sleep," said Matilda. "It sounds like the mama dog's heartbeat." She got an alarm clock and buried it in the quilt.

Ringo lay in the bed, and his eyes began to close. The kids began tiptoeing down the hall when suddenly the puppy jumped out of bed and scampered after them.

"He's lonely out here," said Ian.

Matilda nodded. "I think we can fix that." They picked up Ringo's doggie bed and took it down the hall to their room.

Ten minutes later, Ringo was sound asleep in his bed, his face nestled in the thick quilt, his ear pressed against the softly ticking clock. Ian looked down from the top bunk. "Ringo's finally resting. He looks so peaceful."

Matilda smiled. "It's kind of like the peace we get from Jesus."

"What do you mean?" asked Ian.

"Well, Ringo wasn't able to rest until we moved him in here--he wasn't at peace until he felt our presence. And when we feel Jesus's presence, it gives us peace so we can rest too. And just like the blanket and clock helped Ringo feel loved and not alone, things like prayer, reading the Bible, and worshiping with other Christians help us feel at peace by reminding us that Jesus loves us and is with us."

Ian watched Ringo breathe deeply. "Let's say our prayers before we go to sleep. I want to feel that peace tonight!"

–Jennifer Dillard

How About You?
What helps you feel the peace of God? Singing songs? Reading the Bible? Praying? When you feel anxious or worried, remember Jesus wants you to rest in Him. If you know Him as your Savior, He has given you the Holy Spirit to bring you peace. Find ways to remind yourself that Jesus loves you and is with you, and His comfort and rest will follow.

Today's Key Verse:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. (NKJV) (John 14:27)

Today's Key Thought:
Seek peace and comfort in Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 23:4; Romans 5:1-5

"It looks like Dad's getting ready to mow the lawn," said Evelyn as she and her mother worked in the flower garden.

Mom nodded as she looked out across the lawn in front of their house. "It will be the first mowing of the year, and it's time--just look at all those dandelions!"

The yellow flowers had popped up everywhere. Evelyn thought they were pretty, but her parents appreciated their beauty more in the woods behind the house than on the front lawn.

Soon the mower roared to life. Evelyn and Mom watched as the dandelions began to disappear. When Dad was finished, the whole lawn looked green. "That looks much better," said Mom.

"For a lawn, I guess it does look better without the dandelions," said Evelyn. "But I still think they're pretty."

Mom smiled. "Well, just give them a little time, and they'll be back again. Dandelions have long, tough roots, and when they're nourished by sun and rain, the plant simply grows back after the top is cut off."

"I know," said Evelyn. "I remember pulling all kinds of weeds in the garden last year. Dad said we had to be sure to get the roots so the weeds wouldn't grow back. I remember wishing they didn't have such long roots!"

"You know," said Mom, looking at Evelyn, "as I watched Dad mow today, it occurred to me that we as Christians can sometimes feel cut down by things that happen in our lives--things that cause disappointment and sadness."

Evelyn sighed. "You mean like how I feel about Mia moving away?"

"I know it's hard not to be able to see your best friend every day," Mom said. "But if our roots are deeply planted in Jesus and the truth of His love for us, we'll receive nourishment and care from God. We can trust Him to be with us through our troubles and help us come out of them even stronger than we were before."

"So sometimes long, deep roots are a good thing." Evelyn grinned. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm kinda glad the dandelions have them too!"

–Dorothy R. King

How About You?
Do you ever feel cut down by the difficulties in your life? Being a Christian doesn't mean you won't ever have any problems, but it does mean you won't have to face them alone. Root yourself in Jesus. He is always with you, and you can experience His peace when you rest in His presence and love. Praying, reading the Bible, and worshiping Him are a few ways to seek His care when life is difficult. Trust Him to give you strength and help you grow.

Today's Key Verse:
Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. (NLV) (Colossians 2:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Be rooted in Jesus

Bible Reading: John 11:32-44

Evan held back tears as he sat down on the porch step beside his best friend. "Teddy was the best cat I ever had." He sniffled. "I'm going to miss him."

Peter nodded. "He was pretty awesome. I'm sorry he died." He nudged his friend's shoulder. "It's okay to cry."

"I'm not crying!" Evan quickly said, his face turning red. He didn't want his friend to think he was being a baby about this.

"It's okay if you are," Peter said. "Even Jesus cried."

Evan's brows knit together. "What?"

"Jesus cried when his friend Lazurus died," Peter said. "My uncle told me about it when my grandma passed away last summer. He said it's okay for everyone to cry when they're sad, even us guys."

Evan wasn't sure he believed his friend, so he asked his dad about it later that evening.

"Peter's right," Dad said. "Jesus did cry. Look, it's here in John eleven." He pointed to a page in his Bible.

Evan looked over his shoulder, his eyes widening at the two words. "Jesus wept," he read.

"It's okay to be sad about your cat, and it's okay to cry." Dad got up from his chair and put an arm around Evan. "There are a lot of sad things going on here on earth."

Evan leaned into his dad. "I miss Teddy."

"I know. I'm sorry," Dad said. "But no matter what happens here on earth, we never have to be sad forever. Do you know why?"

"Because of heaven?" Evan asked.

Dad smiled. "Exactly. Jesus cried because He experienced pain and sadness just like we do. But after He wept for Lazarus, He raised him from the dead! That's the hope He gives everyone who trusts in Him--hope of eternal life. Even though all kinds of sad things happen here on earth, Jesus will one day put an end to sin, sadness, and even death itself."

Evan blinked back tears. "We won't have to be sad anymore?"

"Nope." Dad squeezed his shoulder. "Because everything will be perfect. And I'm sure God will help you feel happy again before then too. But for now, it's okay to cry about Teddy when you miss him."

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
When you're sad, do you let yourself cry? It's okay to cry when sad things happen--Jesus cried when He was sad too. He understands your pain because He experienced the same feelings we do. But we don't have to be sad forever, because Jesus came to give us hope. He died for us and then rose from the dead so that one day He could wipe all our tears away.

Today's Key Verse:
Jesus wept. (NKJV) (John 11:35)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus cried too

Bible Reading: Colossians 1:9-14

When Jack came into the living room, his dad was watching the news. He heard the end of a report about a man trying to collect a large inheritance. "If that man's parents died, why can't he get the money that was left?" asked Jack after Dad turned off the TV.

"He ran away from home when he was sixteen years old," Dad explained. "That was thirty years ago, and he never contacted his family again. They searched and searched for him and found out he'd moved to another state. They wanted to have a relationship with him again and made repeated efforts throughout the years to contact him--including several visits to the city where he lived. But he wouldn't even speak with them."

Jack frowned. "But he's back now, so won't he get at least some of the money?"

"Apparently not. His parents gave up trying to get a response from him and didn't include him in their wills."

"But now, after they've both died, he finally shows up and thinks he should have the inheritance?" asked Jack.

"Yes, but now it's too late," replied Dad. "He contested the will, but the courts upheld it. They said he's not entitled to any of the money."

"Wow!" said Jack. "I bet he's sorry he didn't make up with his parents when he had the chance."

Dad nodded. "He not only lost the inheritance--he missed out on having a relationship with his parents too. He learned a hard lesson--and, sadly, a very common one."

"You mean there are lots of people who leave home and refuse to have a

relationship with their parents?" asked Jack in surprise.

"That happens often enough," said Dad. "But I was thinking of the inheritance God offers to everyone through Jesus Christ. Because of our sin, we're cut off from God, so He sent Jesus to restore our relationship with Him. But if we refuse His offer of reconciliation, then we miss out on having a relationship with God. When life ends, we're going to want the inheritance--eternal life--given to those who are part of God's family, but it's going to be too late. That's why it's important to accept God's offer to have a relationship with Him now, while we still can."

–Heather M. Tekavec

How About You?
Will you be able to claim the inheritance God offers? He's offering something far better than money--a relationship with Him and life that lasts for all eternity. It's available to anyone who trusts in Jesus. Someday it will be too late to accept His offer, so don't put it off. Trust Jesus as your Savior today and become part of God's family. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)

Today's Key Verse:
Because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God. (NLT) (Ephesians 1:11)

Today's Key Thought:
God offers an inheritance--eternal life