Bible Reading: Luke 17:11-19

"I sure hope we get remote control race cars for our birthday," Ezra said as he and his twin brother waited to be picked up from school.

"Me too," said Louie. "But with Dad out of work, you know we won't get them." He kicked at a stone on the sidewalk.

"Don't be so sure," said Ezra. "When Aunt Elizabeth called last week, she asked what we wanted, and I told her we wanted the cars. Who knows! She might get them for us."

When the boys arrived home, there was a large package on the table. It was for them--a package from Aunt Elizabeth. Could it be? It was! A remote control car--well, sort of. "A remote control truck?" asked Louie. "Not a race car? And just one?"

Ezra looked at him in disbelief. "You mean we have to share it?"

"Looks like you do," said Mom.

The boys sighed, but they took turns playing with the truck and learning to use the remote control. "It's tricky to back up the truck with that trailer attached," Louie said after a while. "I didn't expect it to be like this."

"What did you expect?" asked Mom.

"That each of us would get a car," said Ezra.

"I didn't expect to get a remote control car at all," said Louie. "I suppose we really should be thankful to have this truck, even if we do have to share it."

"I agree with that," said Mom. "Tell me--what are some things you like about it?"

"Well," said Ezra, "it does have turbo speed."

"And it came with a trailer," said Louie. "It's kind of fun figuring out how to make it back up the right way."

"How about calling Aunt Elizabeth to thank her?" Mom suggested. "Mention all the things you like about the gift and thank her for it." The boys nodded. "And maybe your new truck can also be a reminder to thank God for everything He's given you," Mom added. "He gave you the best gift of all when He sent Jesus to save you, and He always provides and does what's best for you--even if it's in ways you don't expect."

–Tait E. Powell

How About You?
Do you thank others for the gifts they give you--even when it's not what you asked for or expected? Don't be like the nine lepers in today's Scripture reading who failed to say thank you. Be thankful for the gifts you receive, especially those that come from God. He doesn't always give us what we ask for, but because He gave us His own Son, we can trust Him to give us exactly what we need.

Today's Key Verse:
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (NKJV) (Psalm 100:4)

Today's Key Thought:
Be thankful

Bible Reading: Psalms 95:1-7; 98:1-9

Sam stood silently next to Grandpa and his parents at church. Mom and Dad sang their hearts out. Grandpa tapped his cane to the beat as he sang. But Sam didn't think he had a good voice, so he didn't sing.

The next morning Grandpa came over for coffee. While Mom cleaned up breakfast, Sam worked on his homeschool nature study guide. He pointed at a picture of a groundhog peeking out of its burrow. "We have one of these in our yard."

"I know," said Grandpa. "I saw it waddling around this morning."

Sam looked at his book. "Did you know groundhogs dig holes over twenty feet long? They're also called woodchucks, and their babies are chucklings."

Grandpa grinned. "That makes me want to chuckle."

Sam continued, "They come out of hibernation before the snow melts, but they can't always predict the end of winter on Groundhog Day like everyone always claims. And listen to this! 'They are fond of singing.' Wouldn't our singing scare them off?"

Grandpa stood and motioned for Sam to follow. Outside, Grandpa started singing. A moment later, the groundhog appeared and rose to its hind legs. Grandpa nudged Sam, who cleared his throat and sang along. The groundhog relaxed and began to snuffle in the grass.

When they were back inside, Sam said, "It really liked our singing!"

"Do you know who else likes your singing?" Grandpa asked.

"Probably not the neighbors," Sam answered.

"Think about church yesterday," Grandpa suggested.

"You mean God?"

Grandpa nodded. "God tells us to sing His praises because we love Him and want to thank Him for all He's done for us, like creating us and sending His Son to save us."

Sam looked at Grandpa. "If Jesus could die on the cross to rescue me, I can at least sing a few songs."

"When you sing to God, you're showing the love and joy He has put in your heart," said Grandpa. "No matter what your singing sounds like, He loves it when we sing His praises out of gratitude for who He is and what He's done for us."

Sam grinned. "If God enjoys my singing even more than the groundhog did, then I'll sing for Him."

–Laura Roesler

How About You?
Do you sing along in church? Or do you think your voice doesn't matter? It matters to God. He delights in hearing us express our love by singing and praising Him. Next time you're in church, think about His love for you and all He's done for you. Then raise your voice to Him in song, knowing He's pleased with your praise.

Today's Key Verse:
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (NIV) (Psalm 100:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Sing praises to God

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Adelei skipped down the sidewalk toward her grandparents' house. It felt strange to be wearing glasses, but she was amazed that she could see things so much better--like individual leaves on the trees and even the letters on the stop sign at the far corner. Adelei laughed in delight. She hurried as she got closer to the house and saw Grandpa working in the yard.

A few minutes later, Grandpa led her into the house where Grandma was cooking. "We have one excited girl here," he said.

"Your glasses look great!" Grandma smiled and gave Adelei a hug. "I still remember when I got my first pair of glasses. They make a wonderful difference, don't they?"

"And I remember when I got my spiritual glasses," said Grandpa.

"Spiritual glasses?" Adelei had never heard of such a thing. "What are those?"

"Well," said Grandpa, "before I knew Jesus, the Bible seemed strange to me when I read it, and I couldn't understand what it was all about. But the Holy Spirit opened my spiritual eyes--sort of like how those glasses help your eyes. As I continued to read the Bible, He showed me that I needed Jesus to rescue me from sin, and I began to see--to understand--what God says in His Word and realize how it applied to my life."

"Spiritual glasses are even more important than regular glasses," said Grandma. "To understand the things of God is to have the best sight of all."

Grandpa looked at Adelei. "Are you going to leave those glasses on your dresser, or do you plan to wear them every day?"

Adelei laughed at the question. "Of course I'll wear them. What good would they do in my room?"

"Exactly," said Grandpa. "And we should make use of our spiritual glasses. The Holy Spirit is always with everyone who trusts in Jesus, giving us wisdom and insight. As we read the Bible and study it with other Christians at church, He helps us understand what it says so we can see Jesus and His love for all people more clearly."

"Your Grandpa has had that lesson in mind all day," Grandma said with a wink.

Adelei adjusted her glasses and smiled.

–Pauline Youd

How About You?
Do you wear glasses to help you see better? Even if you don't, we all need spiritual glasses to understand God's Word clearly. The Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual sight we need to understand what God says in the Bible. As you read it, study it, and learn more about what it says, He will open your eyes to His truth and love so you can grow in your relationship with Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. (NKJV) (Psalm 119:18)

Today's Key Thought:
God gives spiritual sight

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Peter 1:3-9

"Twelve paces from the grain bin, face the wall made of tin." Madison read the clue aloud as Sophie carried two garden trowels. Together the sisters headed for the grain bin to find Grandpa's next clue.

That morning, Grandpa had surprised the girls with a game--clues that would lead them to a treasure. He handed them the first clue after breakfast and the girls had been all around the farm, tracking down clues.

Finally, in a little wood, the last one was found. Time to dig! Eyes shining, Madison and Sophie shoveled fresh dirt aside and made guesses about what Grandpa might have hidden.

"Pirates' gold!" said Madison.

"Teddy bears!" said Sophie.

They unearthed a sturdy cardboard box. Madison pulled off the top to reveal another note, this one covered in crumbs. My dear girls, this cake was too delicious to bury. Please forgive me for eating it. Love, Grandpa.

Sophie tossed her trowel on the ground angrily, but Madison reassured her. "You know Grandpa. He didn't eat the cake, at least not all of it. He's only teasing."

Suddenly they heard Grandpa's voice calling them from the porch. Sophie took off running with Madison close behind. On the porch table, a feast was laid: chocolate cake, milk, and oranges. And Grandpa was there, chuckling at his own joke.

"I knew you would have treasure for us!" Madison said. "But Sophie was mad when she saw that empty box."

Grandpa got up and hugged Sophie close. "I was just teasing you," he said. "But I also wanted that box to be a picture for you, a way to see that the treasures of this life are never truly safe. Whatever we value here on earth can be destroyed or lost."

"Or eaten!" added Sophie.

Grandpa laughed. "Right. But because you trust in Jesus, your greatest treasure is no longer here on earth. It is kept safe in heaven by God Himself, and no one can take it away."

"What is it?" Sophie asked. "Rubies?"

"Something more precious than jewels. God keeps our salvation safe--the promise that our sins have been forgiven and we'll spend eternity with Him. You are His child, and no one can take you out of His hand."

–Lisa Nagel

How About You?
Have you ever valued something that was lost, damaged, or taken away? A bike? A favorite stuffed animal? Maybe even good grades? The things we treasure on earth don't last. Only God remains forever, and us with Him if we trust in Jesus and believe He died and rose again to save us from sin. He promises His children an inheritance in heaven that can never be lost or taken away.

Today's Key Verse:
We have a priceless inheritance…that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. (NLT) (1 Peter 1:4 )

Today's Key Thought:
Salvation can never be lost

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-10; Hebrews 9:22

Barrett threw his bag on top of the others in the trunk, then slammed the back door shut. "Ew, gross!" he said, looking at the dirt that covered his hands. "Hey, Dad, I think it's time to wash the car!"

Dad nodded. "It's pretty dirty. I didn't notice how bad it had gotten--until now, that is." He pointed at Barrett's little sister, Aurora, who was drawing smiley faces on the car's windows with her finger. "Well, at least our dirty car will bring a smile to other people on the road today." He grinned at Barrett. "Then you and Aurora can wash it when we get back."

When they got to the campsite, they set up their tent and had lunch. Barrett was looking forward to hiking some of the trails nearby when the sky suddenly grew dark and rain started pouring down. They all scrambled into the tent and zipped up the door.

Barrett sighed as he listened to the rain beat against the canvas sides of their tent. "Why did it have to rain today? We're not going to be able to do any of the stuff we had planned!"

"Well, we'll just have to make the best of it," said Dad.

A while later the rain stopped, and they ventured out of their tent. "My smiley faces are gone!" said Aurora, pointing to the car.

"So they are," said Dad. "I haven't seen the car that clean in a long time!" He winked at Barrett. "See, that's one good thing about the rain, right? Now you and Aurora won't have to wash it when you get home."

Barrett smiled. "I guess that makes up for being stuck in the tent for an hour."

Dad nodded. "It reminds me of a song I sang in church when I was little about Jesus's blood washing away sin. We lived on a dirt road when I was a kid, so our car was always dirty. But whenever it rained, all the dirt got washed away, and I'd think of that song and Jesus washing all my sins away when He died on the cross."

That night, when Barrett heard more rain pattering against the tent, he remembered that every one of his sins was washed away by Jesus.

–Carol Albrecht

How About You?
Have your sins been washed away? Do you realize what a wonderful thing it is that God is willing to forgive you for all the bad things you've done? Jesus willingly took the punishment for your sin and shed His blood on the cross so you could have your sin washed away. Trust in Him, and He will forgive you and make you clean. (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:
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (NKJV) (1 John 1:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus washes away sin