Bible Reading: Matthew 20:1-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Marley ran to the door as soon as she heard her mother come in. "Mom! That movie we put on hold at the library finally came in. Can we watch it tonight?"

"Sure," said Mom. "But let's have dinner first."

They whipped up some spaghetti and meatballs and sat down to eat. "Marley, I want you to start going over to the nursing home a couple times a week to read to Grandma," said Mom. "I wish I could get over there more, but work is just too busy right now. I'll give you the Bible I've been reading to her so you can take over."

Marley scowled. "The Bible? But she's not even a Christian! And she's really old. How could reading the Bible to her make any difference now?"

"Just because she's old doesn't mean it's too late for her to come to Jesus," said Mom. "We can't give up on her. When I asked if I could start reading the Bible to her, she said yes, so I'm hopeful that means God is working to bring her to Him."

Once they cleared the table, Mom got out a big pan and put it on the stove. "How about some popcorn to go with our movie?"

Marley nodded eagerly and watched as Mom heated oil in the pan and added popcorn kernels. Pretty soon the kitchen was full of pops and cracks as the popcorn billowed up in the pan. "I think it's done," said Marley after a long string of popping noises came to an end.

"Not quite," said Mom. She waited another minute before turning off the heat, allowing more kernels to pop. "Some kernels pop right away, but others take longer before they're ready. You don't want to give up on them too quickly." She looked at Marley. "Just like Grandma. The Bible tells us that no matter how young or old someone is, they become a new person when they trust in Jesus, just like these hard little kernels become soft, delicious popcorn. We need to do all we can to share the good news of Jesus with Grandma because she may not have much time left."

Marley nodded. "Okay, I'll go read to her. And I'll pray that hearing God's Word will help her realize how much Jesus loves her."

-Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Have you ever thought it was too late for someone to be saved? Some people trust in Jesus as soon as they hear about Him, but others take longer. God wants everyone to be saved, so He's patient with those who do not yet know Him. We need to be patient too. Keep praying for those you know who aren't Christians and sharing God's love with them. No matter how old you are, it's never too late to trust in Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord…is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (CSB) (2 Peter 3:9 )

Today's Key Thought:
It's never too late to come to Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:7-12

"Grandpa, I have a question." Reese knew her grandpa always liked to talk about God, and she knew he wouldn't mind the question she had on prayer. "When does God hear us?"

Her grandpa's gray eyebrows lifted. "When does God hear us?" He grinned. "When we shout really loud!"

Reese giggled at her grandpa's booming voice. "But that's not how you pray."

"He hears me when I talk like this too." Grandpa lowered his voice to a whisper. "He also hears me when I'm like this." He went quiet.

Reese watched him. "You're praying silently?"

Grandpa nodded. "God hears us all the time. Anywhere we are." He got up and offered his hand. Reese took it and let him lead her outside.

"If I went out into those woods and got lost, God would hear me." Grandpa motioned to the large forest in front of them. "If I traveled to India or France or Australia, God would hear me there," Grandpa said. "He would hear me if I was scared or if I was happy. He would hear me when I was alone or in a crowd of hundreds or thousands of people."

"So," Reese said. "Always?"

Grandpa turned to her with a grin. "You're getting the point."

"No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I can talk to Him and He'll listen?" Reese asked. "Even if I'm quiet, He'll hear me?"

"No matter where you are, how quiet or loud you are, or what you have to say, He'll listen," Grandpa said. "He's never too busy for you."

"Thanks for answering my question," Reese said. "You're always a good listener, Grandpa."

He wrapped his arm around her. "If you think I'm a good listener, God's even better. I try to listen when you talk, but I don't always pay attention to everything you say. God hears every word. He loves you even more than I ever could. He gave us His own Son, Jesus, so we could have a relationship with Him. He cares about everything going on in your life. You can talk to Him anytime."

Reese leaned into him and smiled. She was grateful that her grandpa listened to her, but even happier with his answer. She was glad to know God would hear her anywhere and anytime.

-Bethany Acker

How About You?
When do you talk to God? Do you worry that He won't hear you when others are being noisy around you or when you're in your room alone at night? Do you wonder if He's really listening when you have a lot to say? He loves you and is always listening. He hears your prayers, no matter where you are or what you're doing. Doesn't it feel good to know He always hears you anywhere, anytime?

Today's Key Verse:
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT) (1 Peter 5:7)

Today's Key Thought:
God always hears you

Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-12

As Payton helped his mom clean the living room wall, he couldn't stop thinking about the day before. "I'm really sorry for what I did, Mom."

"Payton," Mom said. "It's over. You're sorry. You've asked for God's forgiveness. Once God has taken care of it, it's gone."

Payton frowned as he scrubbed at the wall. His little sister shouldn't have used it as her canvas. "I shouldn't have stolen that gum. I feel so gross. I never stole before. I never even thought of stealing. But…it was so easy."

"You're going to get tempted to do a lot of things like that." Mom smiled sadly. "And you're going to give in a lot. The important thing is that you never turn from God because of your guilt."

"Wouldn't He rather I do that?"

Mom shook her head. "No. Jesus loves you so much that He wants to wash you clean." She dropped her rag into the soapy bucket. "I think we're going to need something different to clean this wall. Let's take a break and go to the store."

A little while later, Mom started scrubbing again with the special sponge she had bought. "Wow! These really do work." She stepped back from the wall. "Can you even see where your sister's drawings were?"

Payton shook his head. It was like magic.

"That's how Jesus wants to clean you--how He did clean you when you asked for His forgiveness," Mom said. "Now, He wants you to move on. We're not going to keep looking at this wall and thinking about what was there. We're going to see it as new and clean."

"Why would God forgive me?" Payton wasn't ready to let go of what he was feeling.

"Because He loves you. Because Jesus died for your sins so you could be clean." Mom let out a soft laugh. "I'm not going to compare my love of a clean home to His love for you, but I cleaned this wall because I like my home and I like how it looks when it's clean. God loves you, Payton. He cares about you more than anyone ever could. He has forgiven you for your sin, and He wants you to let go of your guilt and shame."

Payton looked at the clean wall. Then he turned to his mom and smiled.

-Emily Acker

How About You?
Have you ever done something that you shouldn't and then felt really guilty about it? Did the guilt follow you even after you asked God for forgiveness? If you've trusted Jesus as your Savior, He has washed your sins away and made you clean. You'll still do things that are wrong sometimes, and when you do, confess them to Him. Then let go of your guilt, knowing you have been forgiven.

Today's Key Verse:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV) (1 John 1:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus has washed you clean

Bible Reading: Romans 8:18, 28, 31-39; Revelation 21:4

"Dad, do you know what the biggest rodent in the world is?" Conner asked, looking up from his homework.

"Beavers?" Dad guessed.

"That's what the beavers want you to think," Conner joked. "It's actually capybaras. We're learning about them at school."

"Huh! I've never heard of them," said Dad. "Tell me more."

"Capybaras live in parts of South America and can get up to a hundred and fifty pounds. They are semi-aquatic and can stay underwater for up to five minutes at a time! They are herbivores and live in groups of about ten or more."

"Wow, those sound like some capable critters!"

"Yeah. It's awesome that God made so many cool animals with different features they need to survive." Conner sighed. "But why hasn't God given you what you need, Dad?"

Dad placed his hand on Conner's shoulder. "Conner, I know you're struggling with this diagnosis I just got--we'll all have to lean hard on God to get through this."

"But Dad, it's not fair--your body will just get worse, and you may not even be able to move your arms and legs. I don't understand how you can think God is capable when He's let you down."

"I know it feels like God has let us down, but He hasn't. God never promised us a life free of pain and struggles--in fact, in John 16:33, Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble. The good news is that in Him we can have peace. As children of God, we don't have to fear whatever comes, because He is with us to strengthen, help, and comfort us. Remember, this life is not the end, Conner. God has already provided for our biggest need--He sent His Son to die for our sins and then raised Him from the dead so we could live forever with Him. If He's capable of that, and promises to raise us from the dead one day too, we can trust Him to carry us through anything."

"In heaven, there's no more pain and suffering, right, Dad?"

"Not even any tears--except maybe happy ones," Dad said with a smile.

Conner took a deep breath. "Okay. I know this will be hard, but I'm going to trust that the God who made capybaras is capable of helping us through this too."

-Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Do you ever doubt that God is capable? When we or those we care about go through hard times, it can seem like God isn't there, or even that He is against us. But God loves us so much that He gave us His one and only Son, Jesus, so we could be forgiven for our sins and have eternal life. In everything we experience, He promises to be with us. And one day, He will wipe every tear away.

Today's Key Verse:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (NIV) (Romans 8:18)

Today's Key Thought:
God is capable

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:16; 2 Corinthians 3:1-3; Titus 2:7-10

"Mom, it's just no use," said Mila. "I've tried and tried to get Freya to come to church with us, but she won't."

Mila's twin sister Adison nodded. "And I tried to give her a Bible and some Christian books I thought she'd like, but she won't even look at them."

"I even tried to tell her about Jesus," said Mila. "But she just said, 'Not interested!' She wouldn't even listen to me."

"So how's she ever going to hear the gospel and know that Jesus loves her and died to save her?" asked Adison.

Mom smiled at her daughters. "Well, she has both of you, doesn't she?"

"But, Mom," said Adison, "we just told you--she won't listen to us or read what we give her."

"Well, she may not hear the gospel the way we do--by hearing it in church or by reading the Bible," said Mom. "But I hope she will see it and hear it as she gets to know you better."

The girls looked at each other and frowned. "I don't get it," said Mila.

"You know that some of the New Testament books, called epistles, are actually letters to churches, don't you?" asked Mom.

"Yeah, I think our teacher at church told us that once," said Adison.

Mom nodded. "And all these letters--which are part of God's Word--are inspired by God Himself, right?" The girls nodded. "Well, did you know the Bible also says that each of you is a letter from Christ?" Mom asked.

Both girls raised their eyebrows. "What does that mean?" asked Mila.

"It means that talking isn't the only way to share the gospel," answered Mom. "As people see the way you live, it's like they're reading you. When you live in a way that shows others God's love, you touch people's hearts and make them want to know what makes you different. That may make it possible for you--or someone else--to tell them the good news of Jesus when they're ready to hear it."

-Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
Do you think the only way you can share the gospel is by talking--by telling someone that Jesus died for them? Telling others the good news of Jesus is a very important part of sharing the gospel, but you can also share it in the way you live. Next time a friend refuses to listen when you talk about Jesus, don't be discouraged. Instead, let them see how Jesus has changed your heart through kind words and loving actions. When your friend sees the gospel in action, they may eventually want to hear it in words too.

Today's Key Verse:
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. (CSB) (2 Corinthians 3:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Share the gospel in the way you live