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

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Mariah was glad to finally be back home. Her mom had wanted to get her and her twin brothers away from the house while a landscaper was working in their backyard, and they had spent the whole day just trying to kill time.

She was helping her little brother out of their van when she heard her mom let out a shriek. She scooped Reggie into her arms and took off for the backyard.

"Are you okay?" Mariah ran to her mom's side. She was pretty sure she saw tears in her mom's eyes. "What happened? Did you get stung?" She could hear a bee buzzing.

Mom shook her head. "Nothing bad happened. I'm just…I'm really surprised at what I see. Everything is so beautiful."

Mariah looked out at the yard as her brother squirmed out of her arms. There were flowers everywhere, and there were tiny stones on the ground, making paths that the twins seemed excited to try out. Everything did look really nice.

"I can't believe they did all this," Mom said. "We didn't have a lot of money to spend, but they seemed to figure out a way to make my dreams come true anyway."

"You're crying." Mariah looked up at her mom.

"I'm happy," Mom said. "If I have tears, it's because I didn't know I could have a yard this beautiful."

Mariah smiled. "Pastor John was talking about something like this on Sunday. He said God does more than we ask Him to do, surprising us with the way He works and all that He accomplishes."

Mom nodded. "God did more than we could ever imagine when He sent His own Son to save us by dying for our sins, and He blesses us in other ways that go beyond anything we could even think to ask for. The team we had working out here did a good job of showing us what that can look like."

"I'm happy the yard is everything you wanted it to be." Mariah wrapped her arms around her mom. They had been through some tough times together, and she really wanted her mom to be happy. "And I'm glad God loves us and promises to do great things for us too."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Have you ever been surprised by a gift someone gave you? Has someone ever done something so special for you that you just couldn't believe it? That's the way God blesses His children. When He promised us a Savior, He fulfilled that promise by sending us His own Son, Jesus. He is working in your life and promises to do big things for you--more than you could ever imagine.

Today's Key Verse:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (NIV) (Ephesians 3:20)

Today's Key Thought:
God surprises us with more

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

"Savannah, I'm leaving for work," Mom said. "Be sure to set the house alarm when your bus gets here."

When the bus arrived, Savannah set the alarm and started to dash out the door when…WHOOSH! Her favorite sweater, which had sleeves that were too long and too loose, caught on the door handle, holding her captive. When she finally got free and jumped on the bus, the kids laughed and asked, "What took you so long?"

At least I remembered to set the alarm this time, Savannah thought. The alarm had been installed for extra security, and whoever arrived home first had thirty seconds to disable it by entering a secret code, otherwise it would start blaring. It was directly connected to the local police department, and the officers weren't amused when Savannah accidentally set it off…twice.

That day after school, Savannah opened the door and heard the thirty-second warning start. Beep, beep, beep! She rushed to disable the alarm when, BAM! She was knocked flat on her back. It was her sweater again, caught on a chair.

Beep, beep, beep! Unable to get free, Savannah wiggled out of the sweater just as the alarm started to blare ferociously. She sheepishly walked out to the porch to wait for the police car.

"Hello, Officer Hamlin. I'm sorry," she said when the policeman arrived. She explained how her sweater had snared her.

Later that evening, Mom laughed as Savannah told her about the day's events. "Savannah, do you remember what verse we talked about at church last Sunday?"

"Not really," Savannah admitted.

"Hebrews 12:1. It's about laying aside the sins that so easily snare us. In other words, we have to deal with those issues that get us into trouble, like bad habits and unkind attitudes."

"This sweater sure has gotten me into trouble," Savannah said.

"Yes, but being snared by your sweater is different from being snared by sin, which holds us back from the life of love and joy that Jesus died to give us. That's why we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust Him to forgive our sins and help us out of their snares." Mom tugged Savannah's sleeve. "Now, let's see if there's a way to fix this sweater so it doesn't snare you either!"

–Teresa Ambord

How About You?
Are there sinful habits in your life that keep snaring you and getting you into trouble? It might be watching inappropriate TV shows or looking at things online you know you shouldn't. Or maybe it's an angry, unkind attitude you have toward someone. When you need help with sinful habits, look to Jesus. He will forgive you and help you eliminate your snares.

Today's Key Verse:
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (NKJV) (Hebrews 12:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't let sin snare you

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:13-18; 1 Peter 4:10-11

"Put the blue block here, Mae," Atlas said as he helped his four-year-old sister build a tower with blocks. When the structure was almost finished, Mae pulled out a green block near the bottom. The tower wobbled, then toppled over. "Mae, you ruined it!" exclaimed Atlas. "Why did you do that?"

"I want this pretty green one at the top so I can see it," Mae replied.

Just then Mom's phone dinged. "Atlas, it's for you," Mom said and showed him the text. "Your youth group leader wants you to call him."

Atlas took her phone and stepped into the hall. A few minutes later, he came back to the family room. "He wants me to come to a rehearsal for that skit they're doing," Atlas said. "There aren't any parts left in the skit, but they need somebody to help move props between scenes." He frowned. "I'm not good enough to be in the skit, but I'm good enough to move the props! Well, I don't feel like going just to move stuff around. Anyone can do that!"

"But the production won't be nearly as effective if the props aren't in the right place," said Mom. "Moving them may not seem as glamorous as acting in the play, but it's a very important job." She paused, then added, "It's like the block Mae took out of the tower you were building."

"What do you mean?" asked Atlas.

"Mae just took out one block that didn't show very much," said Mom. "So why did the whole tower tumble down?"

"Because the blocks on the bottom support the rest of the tower," Atlas replied.

"Well, it's the same when people work together for the Lord," Mom said. "Each worker is equally important in God's eyes. God values everything we do out of love for Him, whether we're on stage or behind the scenes, and we can trust Him to use our work to point others to Jesus and His love for us."

"You make it sound like moving furniture for a skit is sharing Jesus with people," Atlas said.

Mom shrugged. "Jesus says that whatever we do, we do for Him."

After a moment, Atlas nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'll help move the props."

–Tanya K. Marshall

How About You?
Have you ever done something to help out and wondered if it made a difference? What matters most is that you do whatever work God gives you for Him, not for recognition by others. When we do everything out of love for God, He uses our faithful service to point people to Jesus, who came to earth to serve us by dying for our sins. Know that God values your work, even if it's behind the scenes.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (NIV) (Colossians 3:23)

Today's Key Thought:
God values everything you do for Him