Bible Reading: Psalm 1; Ephesians 3:16-19

"Why do we have to go to church every Sunday?" Paige grumbled. Her glum face pressed against the car window, and her grouchy mood reflected the dismal, gray weather. "On a stormy day like this I'd rather be sleeping in."

"I like Sunday school! Don't you want to learn about God, Paige?" her younger brother Eric asked. A twinge of guilt pricked Paige's conscience, but she ignored her brother.

"Wow! Look at that tree!" Dad pointed to a large tree that lay uprooted along the roadside.

"That was a strong wind we had last night," Mom said. "It ripped that tree right out of the ground."

"It couldn't survive the wind because it had shallow roots," Dad added.

"Another good reason to stay home today," Paige muttered. "It's safer."

"But I want to go to Sunday school!" said Eric.

"Paige, did you know one of the psalms compares a person to a tree?" asked Dad. When Paige shook her head, Dad said, "Psalm 1 says a wise and righteous person is like a healthy, well-watered tree. Such people are like deeply rooted trees that are nourished by the soil and water. The truth of God's Word is a delight to them, and they're nourished by it day and night. A good tree produces fruit and doesn't wither. It prospers as God intended. I'm sure that kind of tree could withstand powerful winds."

"Life is full of storms," Mom mused. "Storms of temptations, storms of lies, grief, pain, and difficulties will blow against us. If our lives are rooted deeply in God's truth and the promise of eternal life we have in Jesus, we'll be able to stand firm against the storms. If not, we will fall, just like that tree."

"Is Paige a tree?" Eric asked.

Paige smiled a bit. "No, Eric, I'm not a tree. If I were, I would probably fall in the storms," she admitted. As Dad drove into the church parking lot, Paige said, "I'll get some watering today to help my roots go deeper in Jesus--and I'm sorry I was so grouchy."

Dad smiled. "I think I'm beginning to see some fruit already."

-Judith K. Boogaart

How About You?
Do you sometimes feel like skipping church? Do you neglect reading the Bible or memorizing verses? Your life needs to be watered with the truth of God's Word at church and in your own quiet time. Jesus wants to help you become deeply rooted in His love and promises, and He does that by helping you understand the truth of the Bible. Trust Him to help you grow deep roots so you can stand firm in the storms of life.

Today's Key Verse:
Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. (NLV) (Colossians 2:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Be rooted in Christ

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 54-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

"Is Poppy wearing his shoes?" asked six-year-old Noelle. Mom patted Noelle's arm and went on talking. The funeral home was full of people talking quietly. The room was filled with the smell of flowers. Noelle stood beside her mother, who was greeting the people who had come to show their sympathy. Noelle's great-grandfather lay in the casket--a long box lined with satin--with his eyes closed and his hands folded. He looked like he was sleeping, but somehow he didn't quite look like the kind man Noelle knew. She felt strange and out of place.

Noelle felt a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, kiddo. I'll take you home now," said Dad.

Noelle tried to smile, but her lips trembled. "Does Poppy have his shoes on?" she asked again.

"No, sweetie, he doesn't need them anymore," Dad said.

"But, Daddy," Noelle protested, "how will he be able to walk around in heaven? He always put his shoes on first thing when he wanted to go for a walk."

Dad smiled but didn't answer her question right away. "Noelle, do you remember when you helped me plant carrots in the garden last spring?" he asked after a moment. Noelle nodded. "Each seed we planted had new life inside that couldn't grow until the seed died," said Dad. "The carrots grew, and the husk of the dead seed was left in the ground. That's a little like what has happened to Poppy. He was a Christian, and when he died, he left his body here with his shoes and clothes, just like the old seed husk. His spirit went to be with Jesus in heaven. And someday, something really special is going to happen. When Jesus comes again, God will raise Poppy's body and make it all new and perfect."

Noelle thought about it. "So Poppy doesn't need his cane in heaven either?"

Dad shook his head. "No, and he'll never need it again. When God raises Poppy from the dead, his body will be perfect, and he'll never get old or sick. Until then, Jesus will take good care of him."

Noelle felt better as she looked toward the casket where Poppy's body lay. "I'm glad he's with Jesus," she said simply.

-Carol J. Brookman

How About You?
Have you visited a funeral home when someone you love died? Did it give you a strange feeling? Did it make you sad? Death is hard to understand, but it helps to remember that death is not the end for those who know Jesus as their Savior. For a Christian, their soul goes to heaven to be with Jesus. And when He comes again, that person will be given a new and perfect body, and God will put an end to tears, sickness, and death for good.

Today's Key Verse:
He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. (NLT) ( Isaiah 25:8 )

Today's Key Thought:
Christians will have new bodies

Bible Reading: Proverbs 1:1-7, 20-21; 4:7; Romans 11:33

"Whew! It's so hot!" Jaden wiped a hand across his forehead and turned to his little brother. "I hate picking green beans, don't you?"

"Yeah," said Malachi. "You almost have to stand on your head to find some of them." He waved his arms wildly around his head. "And when you have a pesky deer fly buzzing around you, it's even worse."

"Those deer flies love sweaty people," said Jaden.

"Hey, boys!" their grandfather, who was picking tomatoes, called to them. "Listen!"

The boys paused from their work and then suddenly cheered up. "It's the ice cream truck!" they squealed, running and jumping over rows of carrots and onions to reach Grandpa. "Can we get something?"

Grandpa pulled out his wallet and handed them some money. "Here you go, you poor, hungry workers. Get what you want, and get me a fudge bar."

When the boys came back to the garden, they all sat down under a nearby tree to enjoy their treats. "You know," Grandpa said as he unwrapped his fudge bar, "hearing the musical call of that ice cream truck reminds me of a verse I read in Proverbs this morning that says, 'Wisdom calls out in the street.'"

"Like a wisdom truck?" asked Malachi. "I don't think as many kids would come running when they heard that."

Grandpa chuckled. "Maybe not, but that verse is saying we should all go running after wisdom."

"How do we do that?" asked Jaden. "By going to school?"

"Wisdom is more than just knowledge," said Grandpa. "It involves humbling our hearts before God. Another verse in Proverbs says, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.' Who do you think 'the Holy One' is?"

"I know," said Malachi. "Jesus!"

Grandpa nodded. "And where do we learn about Jesus?"

"The Bible!" the boys answered together.

"That's right," said Grandpa. "The Bible shows us our need for Jesus and tells us how we can be saved by trusting in Him. As we read it and get to know God better, He helps us grow in wisdom." Grandpa took a bite of his fudge bar. "And unlike this ice cream, wisdom won't ever melt away!"

-Sara L. Nelson

How About You?
Are you running after wisdom? It's better than ice cream on a hot day. It's more important than anything you study in school. Wisdom begins with understanding your need for Jesus and trusting Him as your Savior. (To learn more, click the "good News!" button in the right column of this page.) Then keep learning more about Him from His Word, the Bible. As you grow in your knowledge of Jesus, you will grow in wisdom too.

Today's Key Verse:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (CSB) (Proverbs 9:10)

Today's Key Thought:
God's Word gives wisdom

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:5

Heather opened Mom's bedroom door and whispered, "Mom, I need help packing for the beach."

"What time is it?" Mom opened one eye.

"It's seven thirty. We have lots to do before Dad comes."

Mom took a deep breath. "You're right."

After breakfast, Heather and her mom packed, gathered beach gear, and picked snacks for the drive. "Your dad will be here soon," Mom said. "Go get dressed."

Heather bit her lip. "Mom, I'm excited to go, but I don't want to leave you here alone."

"I'll be fine, Heather. Besides, I won't be alone--Jesus is always with me. And He's with you too."

"I know. But I'll miss you." Heather hugged Mom. "I liked it better when we went all together--you, Dad, and me."

"I know, honey. But this is your dad's family vacation week, and you'll have a great time with your cousins. We'll have our vacation in two weeks."

Heather and Dad were the last ones to arrive at the beach house. "It's official! Let the family vacation begin," Dad announced. Everyone cheered.

"I'll show you our room, Heather," said Megan. "All the boys are bunking in the loft."

Heather chuckled. "That should be interesting--and noisy!"

After unpacking, the girls headed to the beach. "I'm so glad we're all here," Megan said. "But it seems strange without your mom this year."

Heather stared at the sand. "My mom and I will take our vacation in two weeks."

"Two vacations--that's cool!" Megan said.

"Yeah, maybe. Now I have two birthday parties, two Christmas celebrations, and two homes. And as exciting as that might sound, I'd give anything for my parents not to be divorced." Heather paused. "And you know what's weird? When I'm with Mom or Dad having a great time, I sometimes feel guilty for having fun without the other one."

"I never thought about that," said Megan. "I'm sorry, Heather."

Heather sighed. "Divorce is really hard. I wish my parents were still together, but I'm trusting God to help me accept it. I memorized a Bible verse that says, 'I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.' It helps me remember that Jesus is with me, giving me His strength and peace, and that I can be content in any situation because of Him."

-Lynda Boucher

How About You?
Do you have circumstances in your life you don't understand? Situations beyond your control? Perhaps your parents divorced, someone close to you died, or you just feel all alone. Many things in life are hard to understand. Remember that Jesus, who died to save you and has given you eternal life, is with you in your difficult situation. Trust Him to help you through it and to give you His peace and contentment.

Today's Key Verse:
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (NIV) (Philippians 4:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is always with you

Bible Reading: John 10:27-30; 20:24-27

"I'm ready to go to the store, Mom," said Aurelia. "You said you needed some milk, right? Anything else?"

"I also need a loaf of bread and a package of cheese," Mom replied. "Oh, and I could use some cornstarch and some baking powder too. Can you remember all that?" She glanced at her daughter. "What are you doing?" asked Mom.

Aurelia lifted her head and grinned. She turned her hand to show her mother what she had done. "I wrote the list on my palm with this pen so I'll be sure to know what you need. I could have made a list on paper, but I might have lost that. I can't lose my hand."

Mom laughed. "That's a unique idea. Okay, I think that's everything--but hold on just a minute. I want to show you an interesting verse in the Bible." She walked over to her desk, picked up her Bible, and opened it to the book of Isaiah. "Read this," Mom said, pointing to a verse. "Read it out loud and tell me what you think of it."

Aurelia read the verse. "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." She looked up at her mom. "Hey, that's cool! God writes on His palms too."

Mom nodded. "Actually, He does more than just write. After all, that ink will wash off your palm--at least I certainly hope it will! But God told the people of Israel they were inscribed on His palms, and we can apply that to Christians too. Some translations use the word engraved. Engraving goes deeper than writing. It won't ever come off." Mom smiled at Aurelia. "Whenever I read that verse, I think of Jesus's hands. When He appeared to His disciples after He rose from the dead, He had scars on His palms where He had been nailed to the cross for our sins. Those scars show how much He loves us. I'm so thankful I'm engraved on God's palms."

Aurelia was silent for a moment. She looked down at the black writing on her hand. "Me too." She closed her hand over the writing. "It's a safe place to be, isn't it?"

-Lynn Stamm Rex

How About You?
Have you ever written on your palm to remember something? Your palm is a safe place to write things down so you won't forget them. God says His children are engraved on the palms of His hands. Is your name there? Jesus died for you so you could become a child of God. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.) No matter what happens in your life, if you're in God's hands, you're in the safest place you can be.

Today's Key Verse:
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. (NKJV) (Isaiah 49:16)

Today's Key Thought:
You are safe in God's hands