Bible Reading: Psalms 19:7-14; 119:132-133

James clenched the arms of the dentist's chair, hoping Dr. Jones was nearly finished drilling out his cavity. It was a relief when the drill's buzzing stopped and Dr. Jones checked the tooth. "Are you finished yet?" James asked anxiously.

"Almost. Just a little more drilling, James. We want to make sure the tooth won't continue to decay underneath the new filling." He began drilling again. "If we don't get every bit of the decay out of this tooth, it will get worse and cause problems later on." Dr. Jones hesitated. "It's a bit like that with sin, isn't it? If we notice sin in our lives and ignore it, it will also cause problems later on."

"Uh-huh," James said, glad he couldn't talk while Dr. Jones was working. I'm not sure I like having my Sunday school teacher for my dentist, he thought.

"For example," continued Dr. Jones, "when I was younger, I used to tell a lot of little lies--white lies, they're often called. I didn't think they'd hurt anyone because they didn't seem like that big of a deal. But one day I told a white lie that got blown way out of proportion, and I had to keep telling bigger and bigger lies to cover it up. But the truth finally came out, and I got in big trouble. So now, if I ever catch myself telling a white lie, I confess it to Jesus and trust Him to help me tell the truth instead."

The buzzing stopped, and Dr. Jones grinned at James. "That should take care of this tooth. And if there are any cavities of sin in your life, be sure to get them drilled out too."

"By confessing them to Jesus?" James asked, feeling more relaxed now that the drilling was finished.

"Right," Dr. Jones said as he raised James's chair to a sitting position. "He always forgives us when we confess our wrongs to Him. He'll give you a fresh start whenever you need one." Dr. Jones handed James a mirror. "Just like the fresh start you got with that tooth today!"

James looked at his tooth in the mirror and grinned. "Thanks, Dr. Jones," he said as he got up from the dentist's chair. "See you Sunday!"

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Are there things in your life that you know aren't quite right? Maybe just a little lying, a little cheating, or a little talking about people behind their backs? There's no such thing as big and little sins--sin is simply wrong, and God hates it all. That's why Jesus died for us--to save us from sin so we can live a life of love instead. Confess your sins to Him and He will forgive you.

Today's Key Verse:
If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (NLT) (1 John 1:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Confess sin

Bible Reading: Exodus 3:1-10; 2 Timothy 3:14-16

"We had a Bible story about Moses in my class at church today," Autumn told her family at dinner. "We learned that God talked to Moses from a burning bush. Our teacher says God still speaks to people."

Wesley jabbed his fork into a potato. "Maybe, but not through anything as interesting as a burning bush." He grinned. "I'd like to see one of those--and I don't mean the kind that has red leaves in the fall. I mean one that's really on fire!"

"Yeah!" said Autumn. "Imagine one of Mom's best bushes on fire and God speaking to us out of it!"

Mom laughed. "Make it a bush way at the back of the yard, will you? We don't want to burn the house down!"

"You know, it doesn't require a real burning bush for God to speak to us," said Dad. "That bush was just what got Moses's attention. It was when he stopped what he was doing to check it out that God spoke to him. Today God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible, and He often uses a different kind of burning bush to get our attention. The situations we face in life can help us turn our attention toward Him so we can listen to what He has to say."

"Like when Grandma died when I was little?" asked Wesley. "I had never really thought about death before, and it scared me. But then the pastor at Grandma's funeral talked about Jesus and how we don't have to be afraid of death because He died and rose again to save us from it, so I decided to trust Him as my Savior!"

Dad smiled and nodded. "The situations God allows in our lives to get our attention can often be difficult ones," he said. "God can use them to help us see how much we need Him."

"He uses people to do that too--like the pastor at Grandma's funeral," said Mom. "He got Wesley's attention by sharing the message of God's love when he needed to hear it."

"Right," said Dad. "And when Wesley trusted in Jesus, He received the Holy Spirit, who lives in us and gives us wisdom and understanding as we read and listen to God's Word."

Autumn grinned. "That's even better than a real burning bush!"

-Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
Do you think God no longer speaks to people like He did in stories from the Bible? He does--through His Word, the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes He also uses the people and circumstances in our lives to help us pay attention and listen to what He has to say. So be on the lookout for anything He's trying to tell you. Are there any burning bushes in your life--people or circumstances that are pointing you toward Him?

Today's Key Verse:
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. (NLT) (John 16:13)

Today's Key Thought:
God still speaks to people today

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