Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-24

Grant didn't mind helping out on his uncle's farm. Some parts of the job were even fun. But there were a few things his uncle asked him to do that Grant could do without--like taking care of the pigs.

"They're just so messy," Grant said after helping his uncle feed the pigs.

Uncle Ron laughed. "They are messy," he agreed. "You know what they always make me think about?"

"Not me, I hope!" Grant made a face. "I'm not that stinky and messy."

Uncle Ron laughed again and led him toward the house. "No, not you. They make me think about the parable of the prodigal son in the Bible. Do you remember it?"

"Sort of," Grant said.

They went inside and washed up, and then his uncle grabbed his Bible from the shelf in the living room. "Jesus told a story about a young man who wanted to get away from home. He asked his dad for his inheritance--the money he would get when his dad passed away--and he took it and left."

Grant sat down and nodded. "He did some bad things with the money and ended up poor really quickly, right?"

"He did," Uncle Ron said. "But do you remember what happened to make him realize that he could go back to his father and ask for forgiveness?"

Grant shook his head.

"He was taking care of pigs." Uncle Ron smiled. "He was hungry enough to eat what he was feeding them. Then he realized that his father's servants had a better life than him and decided to ask his dad if he could be like one of them."

Uncle Ron opened the Bible and pointed out the story. "But when he returned home to ask his dad to let him come back as a servant, his father ran out and hugged him, and he forgave him and took him back as a son. Just like God forgives us when we make mistakes and loves us as His sons and daughters."

"I'm never going to look at the pigs the same way again," Grant said.

"You're going to enjoy feeding them now?" Uncle Ron asked.

Grant wrinkled his nose. "Well, they still stink," he said. "But it might not be quite so bad."

-Bethany Acker

How About You?
Have you ever been near pigs? They're really messy, aren't they? After the prodigal son in Jesus's parable spent all his money and had to take care of pigs to survive, he realized his life was really messy too. But his father forgave him, just like God forgives us. God loves you, and He will always love you, no matter what. Go to Him for forgiveness, and He will welcome you home as His beloved child.

Today's Key Verse:
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. (NIV) (Psalm 86:5)

Today's Key Thought:
God forgives and loves us

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:5-13; Hebrews 4:14-16

"I love chocolate!" Marylynn exclaimed as she watched her aunt put a piece of chocolate on top of a graham cracker.

Aunt Kari smiled. "I love chocolate too. Why don't you set your roasted marshmallow on top of this chocolate and I'll use the other graham cracker to take it off your stick."

Marylynn did as instructed, then set down her stick to take the plate her aunt gave her. "Yummy!"

"One moment, before we have our s'mores, let's pray and thank God for this delicious treat," Aunt Kari said.

Marylynn frowned. "I don't know how to pray."

"Well, praying is simple. You can talk to God just like you would a friend or like you would talk to me." Aunt Kari smiled at Marylynn's still-confused expression. "Let me teach you. We can use the s'more to remember one way to pray."

Aunt Kari picked up a graham cracker. "The first cracker is the greeting. You can start prayer by saying something like 'Dear God.'" She picked up a square of chocolate and set it on top of the graham cracker. "The second part is thanks for all God's sweet blessings--we can remember this because chocolate is sweet. You can thank God for the s'mores we're about to eat, and I can thank Him that I got to have you come visit tonight. Anything you're thankful for."

"Like my dog?" Marylynn asked.

Aunt Kari smiled. "Exactly like your dog." She picked up a marshmallow. "The next part of prayer is the sticky stuff, or the help we need. We can remember that part because marshmallows are sticky, especially on a s'more. You can ask God for help in anything, like if you had a test you were worried about. You can ask Him to keep you safe on your way home tonight."

"What about the other graham cracker?" Marylynn asked.

"That is the end of your prayer--saying amen. Amen means 'So be it.' It shows we know God is faithful and listens when we pray."

"So be it," Marylynn repeated.

Aunt Kari nodded. "God loves us so much, and He wants to have a relationship with us--that's why He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from sin. Because of Jesus, we can talk to God anytime."

Marylynn smiled. "Okay, I'll pray now. Dear God..."

-Kimberly Brokish

How About You?
Do you like s'mores? Have you ever used them to pray before? It may seem silly--and make you a bit hungry--but it is a great way to remember how to pray. When we pray, we can tell God about anything going on in our lives, thank Him for all the blessings He's given us, and ask Him for help with anything we need. What will you pray about today?

Today's Key Verse:
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV) (Colossians 4:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Talk to God in prayer

Bible Reading: Malachi 3:8-12; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:7

As church began, Ginny was thinking about how she had finally earned enough money for a whole week at summer camp. For weeks she had been putting every cent she earned into the bank.

Ginny's thoughts were interrupted by a nudge on her elbow. The offering was being taken, and she hadn't given anything for a long time. But my money will be used for camp where I'll be learning more about Jesus, she thought, so she let the plate pass her by.

The following Saturday, Ginny's youth group had a cookout at their teacher's house. After they had eaten, the kids played with Miss Harper's little dog, Pixie. "Watch this," Miss Harper said, throwing a ball far across the lawn. Pixie sprinted after it, then ran back and dropped it into Miss Harper's hand. Each time Miss Harper threw the ball, Pixie got it and brought it back.

"This game wasn't much fun when I first got Pixie," said Miss Harper. "When I'd throw the ball, she'd grab it and run. She finally learned to bring it back, but for a while, she wouldn't let it go."

"Maybe she didn't know you'd throw it for her again," said Ginny. "Maybe she was afraid the game would be over if she gave up the ball."

Miss Harper nodded. "I think we're all a little like that sometimes. I know I was. I used to be afraid to let go of my money. I was afraid that if I gave any of it to the Lord, I wouldn't have enough left for myself." She smiled. "Pixie learned to trust me and let go of the ball, and I finally learned to trust God and let go of my money. And you know what? The more I gave, the more I felt His blessings and care in my life. When we needed a Savior, God didn't hold back--He gave us His Son, Jesus. He loves us that much, and we can trust Him to provide for our needs. When I was selfishly holding on to my money, I was only cheating myself, but God helped me trust Him so He could use my generosity to bless others."

Ginny thought about the money she had saved. I want to give part of that money back to God, she thought, and trust that He'll provide everything I'll need for camp!

-Catherine Runyon

How About You?
Do you give part of the money you receive to God? Maybe you think whatever amount you can give is too small to matter. But it does matter. God is the one who provides you with that money in the first place, and giving part of it back shows that you depend on Him for your needs. He loves you and wants to use your willingness to give to bless you and others. Give to God and trust Him to take care of you.

Today's Key Verse:
Give, and it will be given to you…with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. (NKJV) (Luke 6:38)

Today's Key Thought:
Give faithfully

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:2-5; Romans 8:38-39

Waiting for the parade to begin, Evelyn watched as her sister buried her face in Mom's shoulder. Evelyn used to do that too when she was little. There was a woman talking to Mom, and Elise was scared of the stranger. Mom motioned Evelyn over.

Evelyn straightened up. It was okay for a toddler to bury her face, but Evelyn was ten, and she wasn't going to hide. She walked over and smiled when Mom introduced her to her friend.

The parade started with a loud siren ringing out. Evelyn covered her ears with her hands. She saw Elise bury her face in Mom's shoulder again. Part of her wished she could join her.

Evelyn watched as a band marched through the street. The clashing cymbals were her favorite. She hoped that she could be in a band like that one day. Next, there were horses, then a decorated truck.

Evelyn was enjoying the parade and barely noticed the rain as it started to fall. Then it started to thunder. Everyone scattered. She turned to where her mom had been, but she wasn't there.

Evelyn started to look around frantically for her family. "Mom! Where are you?"

A million thoughts went through Evelyn's head. She thought of all of the bad things that could happen. Then she heard her Sunday school teacher's voice in her head telling her that God was her safe place--that Jesus died for her sins so she could be safe with Him forever. She thought of her sister in Mom's arms. She wanted God to hold her like that.

Evelyn started to walk down the street, calling out for her mom. She prayed, asking God to keep her safe and help her find her family.

Finally, Evelyn heard her mom's voice. She turned and ran to her. This time, she let herself bury her face in her mom's shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," Mom said. "I thought you heard me tell you we were going to the shelter."

Mom had her arms wrapped tightly around her, and Evelyn didn't want to move. Ever. She realized that's how it felt to be sheltered by God. She smiled, glad that the safe place she had in Jesus felt as secure as being held by her mom.

-Emily Acker

How About You?
What is the safest you have ever felt? God can shelter you so you feel safe like that. Even though bad things happen in the world, we can feel safe because Jesus promises eternal life to those who trust in Him. Nothing can separate us from Him--not even death. If you don't yet know Him as your Savior, trust in Him today so you can feel the peace of being safe in His arms. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (NIV) (Psalm 32:7)

Today's Key Thought:
God offers us shelter

Bible Reading: Romans 5:6-11

The somber black wall, engraved with rows and rows of names, filled Wylder with awe. He was visiting Washington, D.C. with his family, and he was standing in front of the monument honoring the men and women who had died while serving in the Vietnam War. All their names were listed on the wall.

An older man wearing a veteran's hat stood nearby. He seemed to be looking for something as he read the names. Then he placed a finger on one of them and began tracing the letters. Over and over he traced the letters of that name. Curious, Wylder edged closer. He was surprised to see tears on the man's cheeks. The man noticed him, and feeling embarrassed, Wylder backed away.

"It's all right, son," said the man. "Let me explain the reason for these tears." He squatted down and looked Wylder in the eye. "The name I was tracing belongs to a good friend of mine--a man who fought with me in Vietnam. We were together when a grenade landed right beside us. Glenn threw himself on it and took all the fury of the explosion. He died for me. Because of him, I'm alive today." The man gave Wylder a trembling smile and turned to go.

Wylder later told his parents what the man had said. "It must be a strange feeling to know that somebody died to save your life," Wylder said.

"I'm sure it is," said Dad. He nodded thoughtfully. "Actually, that happened to you too, Wylder. Someone did die to save you."

Wylder was stunned. "Someone died to save my life? Who?"

"Jesus," replied Dad. "All that He suffered on the cross was for you, Wylder. It was to pay for your sins and mine and those of everyone else in the world. He sacrificed His life to save us."

"Wow!" said Wylder. "I knew that, but it seems more real now after talking to that soldier." He looked down the length of the wall. "If I see him around here again, maybe I'll get a chance to tell him that someone died to save me too."

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Did you know that Jesus sacrificed His life to save you? By dying on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for your sin--the wrong things you've done--so you could have eternal life. That's how much He loves you. Trust Him as your Savior so you can have eternal life with Him. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV) (Romans 5:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus died for your sins