Bible Reading: Psalm 103:10-14; 1 Peter 1:17-21

Rachel groaned when she discovered a library book tucked away in the corner of her closet. I checked this out more than a year ago! she thought as she flipped through the pages. By now, the fine will be really huge. I'll never be able to pay it! She sighed. I bet Mom and Dad will be mad too. They always say I need to be more responsible.

Rachel shoved the book back into the closet, but she continued to worry about it for days. Finally, just before family devotions one evening, she told her parents she had found the long-forgotten book. "I'm really sorry I didn't return it a long time ago. I would have told you before, but I thought I'd try to save enough money to pay the fine first." Rachel looked down at her hands. "I don't know if I'll ever have enough money though. The fine's probably really big by now. What should I do?"

"Oh!" said her mom. "When I was at the library several months ago, the librarian asked me about that book. It was already so long overdue that it was cheaper to buy it than to pay the fine, so that's what I did." She smiled at Rachel. "I'll admit, I was pretty annoyed that you hadn't brought it back. But then I completely forgot to tell you about it!"

"Whew!" Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks a lot, Mom. Just think--I've been feeling so guilty and worried, and all the time the book was paid for!"

"What happened to you is a good introduction to what we'll be reading for devotions tonight," Dad said as he flipped through his Bible. "People often feel guilty for years about things they've done wrong. Just like you put off going back to the library, we might put off confessing our sin to God. Like you, we may think we need to pay the fine for our sins by cleaning up our lives and doing good things to make up for our wrongs."

Mom nodded. "And like you, we'd never be able to pay that debt. We need to realize that Jesus paid the full price for our sins on the cross. All we have to do is trust in Him and receive His forgiveness."

-Sherry L. Kuyt

How About You?
Do you feel guilty about things you've done? Are you trying to do better--to clean up your life? Perhaps you even try to do good things to make up for bad deeds done in the past. The debt of your sin is more than you could ever pay. Jesus already paid a great price--the full price--for all your sins. You don't have to feel guilty anymore. Trust Him as your Savior today. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
You were bought at a price. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus paid the debt for your sin

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

"Morgan was in Sunday school today," Leah announced with a frown.

"Why do you look so down about it?" asked Mom in surprise. "I think that's great! Didn't you invite her yourself a few times?"

"That's the point," said Leah. "I've been trying to get her to come to church for three years, and she's always said no. Then today she shows up with Safiya!"

"Well, the important thing is that she came," Mom said. She was interrupted by the doorbell. "That must be Grandma with those flower plants she said she'd bring over."

After Grandma left, Leah and her mom decided to plant the flowers right away. "You know something, honey?" Mom said as she handed Leah a trowel. "These plants remind me of you and Morgan."

"Me and Morgan?" Leah looked confused. "How?"

Mom dug in the dirt as she explained. "Well, Grandma planted the seeds for these flowers and nursed them along until they developed healthy roots. Now we'll back up Grandma's efforts and care for them. And, in a way, you planted a seed in Morgan--you first invited her to learn more about Jesus at church. Then Safiya backed up your efforts by inviting her too. Right?"

"I guess so," Leah said, still pouting. "But why couldn't Morgan have come when I invited her?"

Mom shook her head. "I don't know. But remember, Leah, sharing Christ is not a competition. God is using both you and Safiya to reach Morgan." She paused for a moment, then asked, "Do you remember what the apostle Paul said about himself and a man named Apollos? Which one of them deserved credit for reaching the people of Corinth?"

Leah scrunched up her eyebrows as she thought about it. "Actually…neither," she said at last. "They both helped, but God is the one who really deserved the credit."

Mom nodded. "Yes, and that's the way it is with Morgan too. You and Safiya--and perhaps several others--are helping to reach her with the good news of Jesus, but it's God who is at work in her heart and life. He's the only one who deserves credit."

-Lenora McWhorten

How About You?
Are you happy when people you've shared Jesus with come to know Him as their Savior--even if they respond to someone else's invitation to trust in Him? It's important to work together with other Christians in helping people know about Jesus. It's not a competition, and since God is the only one who can change people's hearts, none of us can take the credit. When anyone comes to Christ, we can rejoice together and thank God for making the seeds we planted grow.

Today's Key Verse:
I [Paul] planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (NLT) (1 Corinthians 3:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Work together to share Jesus

Bible Reading: Romans 6:1-2, 11-14; 8:5-6; 1 John 1:8-10

Trevor stopped working and wiped sweat from his face. Grandpa stopped too. "Gardening is hard work," he said. "Maybe we should take a break and go have some of Grandma's cookies and punch."

As they headed to the house, Grandpa pointed to a single row of peas he had planted two weeks earlier. "Taking care of a garden is hard work. Weeds grow easily, don't they?"

"Yeah," said Trevor. "Why did God make weeds, anyway?"

"Well, they're the result of sin," said Grandpa. "We have them because we live in a sinful, broken world." He looked at Trevor. "Are there any weeds growing in your life that need to be pulled?"

"You mean in our yard at home?" Trevor shrugged. "I guess there probably are some."

Grandpa smiled and shook his head. "I mean in your life."

"In my life? I don't get it," said Trevor. "How would weeds grow in my life?"

"Not weeds like these," said Grandpa. "Weeds of sin. Farmers need to destroy weeds to keep them from taking over and hurting their crops, and we have to get rid of sinful things in our lives so they don't take over and hurt our relationships with others." Grandpa stooped to pull a tall weed. "For example, I used to let my temper take over whenever I felt angry. I hurt a lot of people's feelings and often caused them to get angry too, and I let anger and bitterness take root in my heart by holding grudges."

"Really? I didn't know you had trouble with your temper." Trevor frowned. "I'm not always nice to my sister. Being unkind is like a weed too, isn't it?" Grandpa nodded. "So, how do I pull a weed in my life?" Trevor asked.

"First you need to confess it to Jesus," Grandpa said. "He will forgive you and help you be the kind of brother He wants you to be. Because you trust in Him, sin has no power over you. Instead, you can live by the Holy Spirit's power and choose to act in a loving way." Grandpa sat down on a bench near the garden. "You may need to ask your sister to forgive you too."

Trevor sat down next to him. "That's hard--even harder than asking Jesus to forgive me." He sighed. "But I know you're right."

-Gail L. Jenner

How About You?
Is there a weed of sin that needs to be pulled from your life? Do you have a bad temper or a habit of disobeying? Whatever it is, God says you don't have to keep doing it. If you know Jesus, sin has no power over you. Don't let it have a place in your life. Confess your sin to Jesus and accept His forgiveness, and trust Him to help you get rid of that weed. Then ask anyone you've hurt to forgive you too.

Today's Key Verse:
Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. (NLT) (Romans 6:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't let sin take root

Bible Reading: Psalm 145:3; Isaiah 40:21-28

When Nolan's mom told him it was time for family devotions, he looked up from his video game. "Aw, Mom, can't we skip it tonight? I'm almost to the next level of this game. Besides, I know all that stuff. I hear it all the time at church, and I even go to a Christian school!"

"Nolan," Dad called from the next room. "Turn off the game and come now, please."

Nolan sighed and followed his mom into the living room.

The next morning when Mom told Nolan to hurry and get ready for church, he frowned. "We probably won't hear anything we haven't heard before," he grumbled as he shuffled toward his room. A few minutes later, he was back again. "I need new pants!" he exclaimed, motioning at the pants he was wearing. "Look at these. They're getting really short."

Mom nodded. "I see that. You're growing right out of them. We'll look for a new pair this week."

"Good idea." Dad grinned. "I guess those pants must have shrunk," he joked. "Or could it be that you're growing taller?" He looked at his son thoughtfully. "But, Nolan, I get the feeling that you think God is like that old pair of pants."

"What do you mean?" asked Nolan, looking at his dad in surprise.

"Well, you've implied that you know all there is to know about God," Dad explained. "You seem to think you've outgrown Him. But the truth is you'll need a whole lifetime to learn about God--what He's like and what He does and what He teaches in His Word. Even then, you'll only know just a little. God is so great and so wonderful, we'll never know all there is to know about Him."

"That's right," said Mom. "But He wants us to get to know Him better. Jesus became one of us and died for our sins so we could have a relationship with Him. As we learn more about His promises and what He's done for us, He helps us understand more about Him so our relationship with Him can grow."

Nolan looked down at the pants he was wearing. "Okay. I'll pay attention in church to see what I can learn. But first I need to put on some different pants!"

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Do you feel like you know enough about God? Do you think the Bible stories you've heard before have nothing left to teach you? You can never outgrow God. He is the great and everlasting God--the mighty Creator of the entire universe. There will always be more things to learn about Him. You can't ever know everything, but you can know Jesus as your Savior today. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.) Then let Him teach you more and more throughout your life.

Today's Key Verse:
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NKJV) (2 Peter 3:18)

Today's Key Thought:
You can't outgrow God

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; James 1:17

"I don't see why I always have to put some of the money I earn in the church collection," grumbled Amos. He fumbled in his pocket and reluctantly took out some coins, which he set aside. "I only have a few dollars left now!"

"Amos," Mom began, but before she could continue, the patio door jerked open and Vivienne dashed into the room.

"Mom!" exclaimed Vivienne, holding her hands behind her back. "Guess what?"

"We give up," said Amos. "What?"

Vivienne flashed a triumphant grin. "Look!" She held out both hands. In each one lay a big red tomato. "My very first tomatoes are ripe already!" She looked at her brother and laughed. "I told you they were getting ripe fast, and you said they wouldn't be ready for a long time yet. But here they are!"

"Wonderful!" said Mom. "They look delicious. Should we have them for dinner tonight?"

"That would be great, but…" Vivienne paused. "It's just that Grandma gave me those plants, and Grandpa helped me plant them and taught me how to take care of them. I think I want to give these first two tomatoes to them."

"Oh, I like that idea," said Mom. "Should we bring them to Grandma and Grandpa's house now so they can have them for dinner?"

Vivienne nodded. "Yeah. I want them to be the first to taste my tomatoes!"

After Vivienne went to find a bowl for her tomatoes, Mom turned to Amos. "You know, Amos, today Vivienne has been a good example of the way we're supposed to give to God. Vivienne didn't have to give her first tomatoes to Grandma and Grandpa--she wanted to offer them as a gift because she's thankful for what they did for her. That's how God wants us to give to Him--cheerfully and with thanks for all He's done for us."

"Oh," Amos murmured. "I guess the money and the things we have come from God in the first place, huh?"

Mom nodded. "He's provided us with everything we own, and more importantly, He's given us eternal life through His Son, Jesus. Nothing we can buy compares to the joy and peace we have in Him."

Amos took a few more coins from his pocket. "I want to put these in the collection plate too."

-Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
Do you give a portion of your allowance or earnings to the Lord? Do you give it willingly and cheerfully? Remember that everything you have is God's generous gift to you. When you give to Him--to His people in need or to His work here on earth--you are only giving back what you received from Him in the first place. He's also given you the greatest gift of all--His Son, Jesus. So when you give, do it thankfully and with a cheerful heart.

Today's Key Verse:
Everything comes from you [God], and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (NIV) ( 1 Chronicles 29:14 )

Today's Key Thought:
Give cheerfully to God