Bible Reading: Psalm 33:6-9; Romans 6:23; 2 Peter 3:11-13

Michael put the last touch of paint on his school project, set the brush down, and stood back to admire it. It had taken weeks of hard work, but he had put together a model farm that he was proud of.

It had everything from a cornfield to pigs, cows, and chickens. The farmhouse looked good too, and Michael was excited to show it to his class.

"Wow, you did great," his dad said when he came to inspect it that evening. Dad bent to take a closer look. "I love all the details."

Michael beamed. "Thanks." He explained various parts of the farm and pointed to the things he liked best about it.

Dad smiled as he straightened up. "You should be proud of your work."

"I am," Michael said.

"You love it?" Dad asked.

Michael nodded enthusiastically. "I put so much work into it."

"You know, this reminds me of something," Dad said.

"What?" Michael asked. His dad was always making lessons out of things.

Dad put a hand on his shoulder. "It reminds me of God's creation and His love for it--for us. Think about how He so carefully made the earth and everything in it. It's sort of like how you put effort into the farm."

"The earth is much bigger than my tiny farm," Michael said.

"But it's something you can relate to." Dad pointed at the project. "Whenever you wonder if God really loves you, think about how much love and care went into making this. You wouldn't want anything to destroy it, right?"

Michael's eyes widened. "Of course not."

"God doesn't want anything to destroy His creation either--the earth or the people He created. But we brought sin into the world, and sin is destructive--the Bible says sin results in death. So God's Son, Jesus, became one of us and died and rose again to save us from sin and death. Everyone who trusts in Him has eternal life, and one day Jesus will get rid of sin and death forever and make everything new again." Dad smiled. "That's how much He loves His creation."

Michael looked at his project again. "It's pretty cool to think about it like that."

"It is, isn't it?" Dad winked.

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Do you realize how much God loves the world He made and everything in it--including you? Jesus gave His life to save you from sin and death. Doesn't it feel good to know He loves you that much? He put a lot of care into creating everything He made, and He promises to make it new again one day so we can enjoy it with Him forever.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. (NIV) (Psalm 145:9)

Today's Key Thought:
God loves His creation

Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:27-28; 18:13

"Don't quit yet!" Jill begged her friend, but Elsie sat down and began unlacing her skates, saying she was cold. "It's not that cold!" said Jill. Elsie didn't answer, and Jill went back out on the ice.

"Hey, Jill!" called Mila as she skated by. "My mom is driving some of us to the coffee shop down the street for hot chocolate. Do you and Elsie want to go?"

"I'll check," said Jill. She spun around and returned to where Elsie was sitting. "Let's go with Mila to get some hot chocolate at the coffee shop--it will be nice and warm there!" But Elsie wasn't interested. Jill sighed. I wish I had come skating with somebody else, she thought. She's no fun at all today!

When Jill got home, her mother was stirring a mixture in a bowl. "Oh, yum!" said Jill. "Cheesecake!" She picked up a spoon her mother had been using and quickly took a lick. "Ew!" she said, making a face. "What is this? I thought it was cream cheese."

Mom laughed. "It's shortening. You jumped to a conclusion without learning the facts again." Jill knew she often did that.

As Mom continued working, Jill told her about the problem with Elsie. "I think she's just looking for attention," said Jill.

"Are you sure you haven't jumped to another wrong conclusion?" asked Mom. "Maybe something is bothering Elsie and she needs a patient, understanding friend to listen to her and see what's wrong."

Jill just shrugged. "If something's wrong, why wouldn't she just tell me?"

That evening, Mom came into Jill's room. "Jill, I talked with Elsie's mom a few minutes ago. Elsie's dad left home yesterday."

"He did?" said Jill. "Where did he go?"

"They don't know. Elsie's mom said he has a problem with alcohol and disappears occasionally. I thought you should know so you can pray for them and be there for Elsie."

"Oh no," said Jill. "I did jump to conclusions again! No wonder Elsie was quiet today. When I see her tomorrow, I'll make sure she knows I'm her friend. And I'll pray for her--and for her dad!"

"I will too," said Mom. "And I'll pray that Elsie will see the love of Jesus in the way you care for her as your friend."

–Linda Weddle

How About You?
Do you care when a friend doesn't seem happy? Are you understanding and patient when someone doesn't seem interested in what's going on? Instead of jumping to conclusions, be sensitive and show them that you care. Jesus always listens to us, cares for us, and sits with us in tough times. Trust Him to help you be that kind of friend too.

Today's Key Verse:
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (NIV) (Proverbs 14:29)

Today's Key Thought:
Be understanding of others

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:3-8

Tristan beamed as he picked up a shoe from the display table. "This is the kind I want, Mom! All the guys are getting shoes like this. The special soles reduce the pounding you get from the gym floor." Tristan imagined what his friends would say if he showed up at practice wearing these shoes. He looked at his mother hopefully, but she was moving away.

"How about this one?" Mom held up a shoe similar to the one Tristan was holding.

Tristan made a face and shook his head. "Nobody buys that brand."

Mom sighed in exasperation. "Tristan, I want to buy shoes you like, but I'm not going to pay a lot of money just so you can have a certain brand."

"But I don't want any other shoes!"

"Then you can get along with your old ones," Mom said, and she hurried him out of the store.

"Who was at the door?" asked Mom later that night as she was cooking dinner.

"It was Joey," Tristan said with a scowl. "He just came to show off his new skateboard. He just got one a few months ago, but he bought another one. He just got it to impress the guys."

Mom looked surprised. "So we shouldn't buy things just to impress others?"

Puzzled, Tristan shook his head. "Of course not."

"But weren't you wanting to do the same thing with those shoes today?" asked Mom. "Didn't you want that brand just to impress other kids?"

Tristan looked at the floor. "Well…maybe."

Mom sighed. "I understand what it's like to want nice things, Tristan. But when we want to get things just to impress others, we need to remember where our worth comes from. People's opinions of us can change from one day to the next--they're fleeting, just like the things we own, which will eventually wear out or get lost or broken. But God's opinion of us never changes. Our value comes from the love He showed us by sending Jesus to save us from sin."

Mom put a hand on Tristan's shoulder. "Instead of trying to impress people with what you have, let them know you by the way you treat them and show them God's love. They should know you by your heart, not your shoes."

–Cynthia Y. Powell

How About You?
Do you want name-brand clothing and other things everybody else seems to have? It's good to dress your best and look nice, but that shouldn't be your focus in your interactions with others. Popular items come and go, along with what people think of you for owning them, but the way you treat others will stay in their minds long after. Instead of showing off things you have, show others the love you have in Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (NIV) (Philippians 2:3 )

Today's Key Thought:
Don't dress to impress

Bible Reading: James 4:4-8; 1 Peter 5:8-10

Braelyn dropped her fishline over the side of the boat and watched the bait sink into the water. "That worm squirming on my hook looks so gross! How could a fish possibly want to eat it?"

Dad chuckled. "It doesn't look very appealing to us, but to a fish, it's food."

"I'd rather starve!" said Braelyn.

Dad smiled. "You might look at it differently if you were a fish."

Braelyn's brother Judson cast his line across the water. "The fish don't notice the sharp hook hidden inside the yummy-looking worms. All they think about is how good the worm will taste. They don't think about what might happen after they bite."

"I guess not," said Braelyn. "If they knew they'd get hooked, they wouldn't bite, no matter how juicy the worm looked."

"Maybe not, but they might," said Dad. "Sometimes we can be like fish."

Braelyn grimaced. "You won't ever see me biting on a worm!"

Dad laughed. "No, not a worm. But what about some other kind of bait? I'm thinking of times when there's something we really want to do, but we know it's wrong. You could say that Satan baits a hook with things that tempt us to make bad decisions."

"So it's like Satan is fishing for us?" asked Judson.

"Something like that," said Dad. "He likes to trick us by tempting us with things that look good. Unfortunately, it's easy to fall for his bait and end up making sinful choices that go against God and who He calls us to be as His children."

A faint tug came from Braelyn's line, and she gasped. She reeled in a small bluegill and held it up. "Do I have to let it go?"

Reaching for the fish's mouth, Dad said, "Let's give this fish a second chance."

"Hey, that's like what Jesus does for us!" Judson exclaimed.

"You're right!" said Dad. "Jesus died on the cross and rose again to free us from the power of sin and Satan. That means we can resist Satan's bait. And when we do sin, Jesus will always forgive us."

"Next time I'm tempted to do something wrong, I'll remember these fish," said Braelyn. "And even if I get hooked, I know that Jesus will give me a second chance!"

–Chip Montgomery

How About You?
Can you think of a time when you got hooked by the bait of sin? Maybe you were tempted by something that seemed good at first but turned out to be a trap that got you to do something wrong. When you give in to temptation, remember that Jesus will always forgive you when you confess your sin to Him. Because He has freed you from sin, and it holds no power over you anymore. Trust Him to help you resist Satan's bait.

Today's Key Verse:
Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NLT) (James 4:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't take Satan's bait

Bible Reading: Psalm 95:1-7; James 1:17

Stella trudged quietly home from the school bus stop. After three weeks of living with Grandma Ruth, Stella still hadn't made any friends on her new bus. Grandma Ruth kept reminding her that it takes time to build friendships.

"I'm home, Grandma Ruth!" Stella called, opening the door to their apartment.

"I have something to show you, sweetie!"

Stella hung her backpack on a hook and hugged her grandmother. "What do you want me to see?" Stella asked.

"Come here!" Grandma Ruth steered Stella to the tiny room they had converted into a bedroom for her. On the bed, Stella glimpsed a surprise. Her most cherished doll, Claudette, lay propped against the pillows wearing a new outfit: purple corduroy overalls and a pink shirt. It complemented the doll's chocolate-brown hair perfectly.

Stella gasped. "Oh, Grandma Ruth! My favorite colors!" She rushed to the bed and cradled Claudette in her arms.

Grandma Ruth sat next to Stella. "I'm glad you like it, honey--you outgrew those pants long ago. We'll buy you some clothes that fit better. But those pants made a great outfit for Claudette! I whipped that up on my sewing machine today."

"Thank you, Grandma Ruth." Stella looked down, her smile fading.

"What's wrong, sweetie?"

"You let me come live with you, and you sewed new clothes for my doll. I don't have anything for you. All I can do is say thanks."

Grandma Ruth put her arm around Stella. "That's all you need to say. I love you, and I'm so happy you're my granddaughter. You're also God's child, Stella. When you put your faith in Jesus as your Savior last summer, God forgave your sins and brought you into His family. And just like I'm happy to be your grandma, God is happy to be your Father."

"He is?"

"Yes, sweetie. He blesses us because He wants to, and we don't have to pay Him back for it. In fact, we could never pay God back for all He does for us."

"So, I just say thanks to God?" Stella asked.

"That's right! We can express our gratitude by thanking and praising Him for all He's done for us."

Stella grinned. "Then let's say thanks to God right now!"

–Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
What do you do when saying thank you for a wonderful gift doesn't feel like enough? Maybe we think we must buy the giver a present to pay them back. But with God, we can trust that He shares His blessings with us because He wants to be good to His children. And the best we can say in response is simply, "Thank you!"

Today's Key Verse:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. (NIV) (1 Chronicles 16:34 )

Today's Key Thought:
God loves a grateful heart