Bible Reading: Luke 19:1-10

"I can't see anything," Joey complained at the concert. Everyone was standing in front of them and he just wasn't tall enough to get a view of the stage.

His dad crouched down beside him. "Get up on my back!" he shouted above the music.

Joey quickly did as he was told and could finally see the band. "Wow!"

"Too bad we don't have Zacchaeus's tree," Dad said.

It was too loud to talk much in there, so Joey didn't ask his dad what he meant right then.

The next day, when he and Dad were getting the grill going for supper, Joey brought it up again. "What did you mean yesterday about Zacchaeus's tree?"

Dad lit the grill and turned to him. "Don't you remember the story of Zacchaeus?"

"Not really," Joey said.

"Well, we have time for it now." Dad sat in a lawn chair and Joey pulled one up beside him. "When Jesus was living on earth, many people wanted to see Him and hear Him speak," Dad explained. "He drew crowds everywhere He went, and one day a man named Zacchaeus was in the crowd."

Joey glanced at his dad. "And he had a tree?"

"He climbed a tree," Dad said. "Zacchaeus was a short man, so he couldn't see from where he was standing. Jesus noticed what he did and went over and told him He'd eat at his house that day."

Dad got up and checked on the grill before continuing. "What's cool about the story is that Zacchaeus hadn't been a good man. He was a tax collector and had taken more than he should have from people. But meeting Jesus changed him, and he decided he wanted to follow Jesus and live a good life, so he gave back to those he took from even more than he owed." Dad smiled. "Stories like that remind me that Jesus can change anyone's heart."

Joey made a face. "Even people like the bullies down the street?"

Dad nodded. "Jesus changed us even though we were sinners, and He can change them too. God can change anyone and help them grow into a better person." Dad touched the top of Joey's head. "Speaking of growing, maybe you won't need a Zacchaeus tree the next time we go to a concert."

Joey grinned. "Maybe not."

-Bethany Acker

How About You?
Do you believe anyone can change? The story of Zacchaeus in the Bible shows us they can. When Zacchaeus met Jesus and saw that Jesus cared about him even though he was a tax collector, his heart was changed. Jesus can do that for you too. He can do it for anyone you know who seems like they'll never change. He changes hearts and lives every day!

Today's Key Verse:
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (CSB) (Ezekiel 36:26)

Today's Key Thought:
God can change anyone

Bible Reading: Psalm 71:15-18; 1 Peter 2:9

"Little kids are so funny!" Brayden said, laughing as he came into the kitchen. "Finn and his friend Arlo are playing war. They're upstairs building a bunker in the bathtub--filling it with pillows. We'd better be careful, Dad! According to them, there are bombers overhead, submarines all around the house, and tanks roaring up the street!"

Dad chuckled. "I see what you mean."

"But get this, Dad!" said Brayden. "I was standing outside the bathroom, and I heard Finn say, 'Are you going to heaven, Arlo?' And Arlo said, 'I don't know.' Then Finn said, 'We could die in this battle, and it's real important to know you're going to heaven to be with Jesus when you die. So repeat after me!' And, Dad, he led Arlo in a prayer to accept Jesus."

"That's amazing!" said Dad.

"But, Dad! The danger isn't even real!" said Brayden.

"Well, the war they're preparing for in the bathtub certainly isn't real," Dad agreed. "But I'm proud my little boy loves his friend enough to want him to be safe--even in a bathtub war. Finn's right--it's important to know you're going to heaven to be with Jesus. Any one of us could die at any time."

"That's true," Brayden said. "I guess you can learn things from a little brother. I know I could do a better job of talking to my friends about Jesus." He frowned. "I've invited Angelo to church events, but I don't think I've ever asked him straight out if he's saved. I guess I should talk to him about it, but I'm not sure how to get started."

"Why don't you start by talking to God about it?" Dad suggested. "I'll do that too. Then come back and we'll see what ideas we can come up with."

Brayden nodded. "Okay. Thanks, Dad." He started to leave, then turned back. "But what about Arlo? Do you think he's really saved now?"

"I don't know," said Dad. "If he truly trusts in Jesus, he is. I'll talk to him about it and make sure he understands who Jesus is and how he can know he's going to spend eternity with Him."

-Elsie Dodge

How About You?
Do you know if your friends have trusted Jesus as their Savior? Are they going to spend eternity with Him? It's an important decision for them to make, and no one can be certain of how much time they have left on earth to make that decision. Talk about it with them. Tell them how Jesus has saved you and what He's done in your life. Let them know you want to see them in heaven one day with Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
My mouth will tell about how right and good You are and about Your saving acts all day long. (NLV) (Psalm 71:15 )

Today's Key Thought:
Tell friends about Jesus

Bible Reading: Revelation 21:1-5; 22:20

Keziah loved it when she and her mom got to babysit two-year-old Elodie, Mrs. Gordon's daughter from church. Mom, Keziah, and Elodie would color, play dress-up, read books, and munch on snacks all morning while Mrs. Gordon attended seminary classes.

One such morning, Elodie was missing her mom more than usual. As they played all her usual favorite games, she would occasionally get very quiet and say, "Mama home soon."

When this happened, Keziah or her mom would give Elodie a hug or a shoulder squeeze and say, "That's right. Mama will be home soon. She loves you so much and can't wait to come back to see you."

Sure enough, Mrs. Gordon was home soon, and when she arrived, Elodie screeched with delight and ran to her.

Mrs. Gordon wrapped her daughter in a big hug, "I missed you too, little one! I love you so much."

After the Gordons left, Keziah and Mom began to clean up the various toys and books strewn across the living room. "It was cute how excited Elodie was to see her mom today," said Keziah.

"It was!" said Mom. "It kind of reminded me about how excited I'll be when Jesus comes back."

"How so?" asked Keziah.

"Well," said Mom, "we live in a world ruined by sin and its effects. When we see all that sad stuff, we can rest knowing that Jesus promised He would return to make everything new--free from the brokenness we see right now."

"There is a lot of sad stuff on the news," said Keziah.

Mom nodded. "When Elodie got really quiet and said, 'Mama home soon,' it made me think about how the Bible records that the early church was eagerly waiting for Jesus to come back and would often say, 'Come soon, Jesus!' That's my prayer too."

Elodie smiled. "So, when Jesus comes back, we'll kind of be like Elodie when Mrs. Gordon came back? Really excited and happy?"

"Yes," said Mom. "It will be a day of celebration! Our loving King will make all things new and we will be together forever with Him and all our siblings in Christ--all who put their trust in Jesus!"

-Kandi Zeller

How About You?
Are you excited about Jesus coming back? When He returns, He'll right every wrong and get rid of sin and all its effects. He'll make everything new, and those who trust in Him will live with Him forever in a world free from sin and death. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
He [Jesus] who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (NLT) (Revelation 22:20)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is coming back

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:14-29; 1 Corinthians 10:31

When Kai came home after school, he sat down with a heavy sigh. "What's wrong, Kai?" asked Mom as she added ingredients to the almond bars she was making.

"I don't seem to be good at anything at school," Kai replied. "I'm not good in sports, so I can't be on the soccer or basketball team. I can't sing, so I can't join the choir. I'm not good at math or science either. Other kids have important things to do, but not me."

"What about helping Mr. Brown in the library?" asked Mom. "He depends on you to return books to the shelves. That's important. And then there's after-school safety patrol--you help the smaller children get to the right buses."

Kai looked doubtful. "Oh, Mom, almost all the kids take turns doing those little jobs. They don't count. Anybody can do them."

"It takes responsible kids to do those things, Kai. I know you'd be greatly missed if you left them for somebody else to do."

For dessert that evening, Mom set a plate of her almond bars on the table. When she picked one up and bit into it, she looked puzzled. "What's missing in these?" She took another bite. "Almond!" she exclaimed suddenly. "I forgot to put the almond flavoring in these bars!"

Dad laughed. "So you made almond bars without almond," he teased.

Mom smiled at Kai. "See what happens when just one little thing is missing? These bars don't need much flavoring, but if you leave it out, everyone will know! The tasks God gives us to do are like that. Even jobs that seem small are important."

Dad nodded. "We don't always know why God asks us to do some things and not others, but we need to be faithful no matter what He has us do. God made each one of us and loves us so much He sent Jesus to die for us, and He promises to use the work we do for good. We can trust Him to use whatever tasks He gives us to plant seeds of His love in people's hearts and to prepare us to do bigger things later on."

"Right," said Mom. "Now, Kai, I have an important job for you. Help me dish up some ice cream to go with these bars!"

-Kathy J. Hoffner

How About You?
Are you serving God where you are right now? Or do you sometimes think that what you do isn't really important? Today's Key Verse tells us that it doesn't matter how big or small the things you do for the Lord are, the important thing is to do them faithfully. Be faithful in the tasks He gives you, and trust Him to use them to do good things in your life and in the lives of others.

Today's Key Verse:
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. (NLT) (Luke 16:10)

Today's Key Thought:
Be faithful in all your tasks

Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:20-27; 28:13; 1 John 1:9

Gia traced her finger along a pack of gum in her pocket as she and her twin sister Teagan walked down a winding forest trail near their family's cabin. Mom had said they could take a hike if they stayed together and didn't go far. I wish Mom and Dad had let us buy gum when we stopped at the gas station, thought Gia. But their parents hadn't let them buy gum, so the girls snuck some from the shelf into their pockets. It seemed exciting when they did it, but now the gum was bothering Gia's conscience.

She sighed and turned her attention to the trail. "Dad says there's a lake just over this little hill. I'll race you there."

"Okay," said Teagan. "You're on!" The girls took off running.

Gia was so eager to beat Teagan that she flew down the path, never looking down. She cut corners on the curves and often strayed off the trail. Suddenly, her foot hit a rock, and she went sprawling into the leaves and weeds. She felt bruised and shaken as she sat up and looked around. Her knee hurt and was bleeding.

When Teagan caught up, she rushed to Gia's side. "Are you okay?" Teagan asked. "What happened?"

"I guess I got off the path," replied Gia. "My foot hit a rock, and I fell."

Teagan looked thoughtful. "Does that remind you of anything? Like last week's Sunday school lesson?"

"Yeah. It was about getting off the path too," said Gia. "Only our lesson wasn't about straying off a path in the woods. It was about getting off the right path--God's path--by doing things that are wrong and…well, we did that, didn't we?"

Teagan nodded. "Has that gum been bothering you too?"

"I haven't been able to chew it," Gia said. "It bothers me more than this banged-up knee." She sighed. "Our Sunday school lesson was also about how Jesus forgives us when we sin and helps us get back on the right path. We need to confess what we did to Him."

"And to Mom and Dad," said Teagan. "Let's ask them to take us back so we can return the gum. I'd rather get in trouble than feel like this."

"Yeah," said Gia. "It's time to get back on the right path."

-Karen E. Cogan

How About You?
Is something bothering your conscience? That's often a reminder that you've strayed off the path God wants you to take as His child. Maybe you tell yourself that what you've done is okay because other kids do it, but sin is never okay. Don't ignore a guilty conscience. Confess your wrong to Jesus, and trust Him to forgive you and help you get back on the right path.

Today's Key Verse:
Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. (NKJV) (Proverbs 4:26)

Today's Key Thought:
Walk on God's path