Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-14; Romans 3:23-24; 5:6-8

"Please don't tell Dad," Ethan begged his sister, stuffing his science test into his backpack. "I didn't expect to get a high grade, but I sure didn't think it would be this bad. I did my best. Promise you won't tell."

"I won't," said Mira. "But Mom and Dad will find out anyway."

When they got home, Ethan retreated to his room and stayed there until his mom called him to dinner. "I got an email from your science teacher," Mom said when Ethan came to the table. "He realized he put the wrong grade on your test--you actually improved quite a bit from last time."

Ethan jumped out of his chair and pulled out his test. "I knew it! I knew I must have done better than this!"

Dad reached for the test and looked it over. "Well, I'm glad this isn't the correct grade, but why didn't you show this to us earlier?"

"I was trying to do better, but this test said I did worse, so I thought you'd be mad at me for getting such a low grade."

"Oh, Ethan, we would have been concerned, but not angry," said Mom. "We know how hard you've been working, and we're proud of you."

"Grades are a measure of the progress you're making," said Dad, "but they're not a measure of our love. You're our son, and we'll always love you."

Mira grinned at her brother. "My Sunday school teacher says God is like that too. He loves us even when we fail."

"That's right," said Mom. "If God sent out report cards, how high do you think our grades would be?"

"Um, I don't know. Probably not very high," said Ethan.

"Not high at all," Dad agreed. "Everyone would fall short. That's why Jesus died for our sins--so He could give us His perfect grade in place of our failing one! That's how much He loves us. Our love for you isn't based on how well you do in school, Ethan, and God's love for us isn't based on how well we do in life."

"Right," said Mom. "Actually, the times we fail are often the times that help us recognize our need for Jesus--the times we feel His love the most."

-Gail L. Jenner

How About You?
Are you afraid God won't love you as much if you fail at something? He loves you so much Jesus died for you when you were still trapped in sin, and He'll never love you any less, no matter what. If you've trusted Jesus as your Savior, He will help you live the way He wants you to live, but that doesn't mean you'll be perfect. When you need forgiveness, ask Him for it, remembering that you're His child and He loves you very much!

Today's Key Verse:
He [God] knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (NKJV) (Psalm 103:14)

Today's Key Thought:
God's love never stops

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-18

"I'm tired of this history book!" Akera slammed the book shut and flopped back on the couch.

"Yeah! It's boring!" Ky looked up from the laptop and shared a look of misery with his sister.

Mom sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Kids, I've already changed your history curriculum twice this year. Now it's time to cut the complaining and do the work."

"But, Mom," Akera whined. "Can't we switch it one more time?"

Mom shook her head. "We are finishing this book, and that's final. Has it occurred to you that it's probably not the curriculum but your attitudes that need to change?" She got up to pour herself some coffee. "Remember when we went to the planetarium last month?"

"Yeah," said Ky. "It was one of the coolest field trips ever!"

Akera smiled thoughtfully. "My favorite part was that show about the stars--it was beautiful."

"One of the nice things about homeschooling is we get to take field trips whenever we want," Mom said. "But that doesn't mean you get to change the curriculum whenever you want. And speaking of stars, do either of you happen to remember what Paul said about God's children being like stars?"

Akera slid on a pair of sunglasses and took a selfie. "Not really, but I do look like a star!"

Ky cackled as Mom stifled a giggle. "Ha-ha. Not that kind of star. In Philippians 2, Paul wrote that when we do things without grumbling, our lives shine like stars, showing the world that we are God's children."

"Oh, I remember that now," Ky said. "Doesn't chapter two start with Paul talking about Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross for us?"

"Yes," said Mom. "That was the most selfless thing, wasn't it? And He did it willingly--without complaining."

Ky tossed a pillow at Akera. "Guess we haven't been like stars today, have we?"

Akera threw the pillow back. "I guess not. Even though we don't like history right now, we don't have to complain about it. We are God's children, and I want to show it by the way I live my life."

Mom smiled. "You kids are pretty smart."

"Yep," said Ky. "We have a good teacher."

-Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Do you often complain about things? When you feel like whining about something you don't want to do, it can help to remember what Jesus did for you. Out of love for us, He humbly came to earth as a baby in a smelly manger to grow up and die on the cross for our sins. Trust Him to help you shine His light by showing others love and appreciation instead of grumbling.

Today's Key Verse:
Do everything without grumbling or arguing…Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. (NIV) (Philippians 2:14-15)

Today's Key Thought:
Shine bright for Jesus

Bible Reading: Romans 5:6-11

"That was cool!" Jude said when he returned home after his class had toured a Coast Guard ship at the sea festival held in their coastal city.

"Did you learn what the Coast Guard does?" Dad asked.

"This pamphlet says they fight smuggling, protect ships and ports, and rescue victims of sea disasters," Jude replied. "They pick up survivors when a plane crashes in the ocean too. Our guide said they saved at least six thousand lives last year! Storms sometimes come up fast, and people can't make it back to shore. Other times boaters just don't pay attention to the warnings. But the reason people are in trouble doesn't matter to the Coast Guard. I bet they save more lives each year than anybody!"

"They're well trained and do save a lot of lives," said Dad. "In times of war, the Coast Guard becomes a part of the Navy. Do you know the Coast Guard's motto?"

Jude nodded. "Yep. Our guide told us. 'Semper Paratus'--'Always Ready.'"

"The Coast Guard does a good job," said Mom. "But I can think of somebody who saves even more lives than the people in the Coast Guard do."

Jude looked surprised. "You can? Who?"

"I think I know," said Dad. "I think Mom means Jesus. He's willing to save anyone who will trust in Him."

Mom nodded. "Can you imagine that anyone struggling in the water would refuse help from the Coast Guard? I know I wouldn't! I would gladly accept help if the Coast Guard ever came to rescue me. But all of us need to be rescued from sin, yet many people refuse to accept the help Jesus offers. But no matter how much we keep trying to save ourselves, we never can."

"People might try to save themselves by doing good things, right?" asked Jude. "Like by going to church and giving money and being good. Stuff like that?"

Dad nodded. "But trying to save ourselves by doing good things won't work--it's like trying to rescue yourself when you're drowning. Trusting in Jesus is the only way we can be saved."

Jude smiled. "I'm so glad He came to rescue us."

-Linda L. Leonard

How About You?
Did you know Jesus came to earth to rescue you from sin? You can't save yourself. Perhaps you go to church, obey your parents, study hard at school, and give money to the poor. None of these things--good as they are--will save you. Jesus died and rose again so you could be forgiven for the wrong things you've done. Don't refuse His offer of salvation. Trust Him to save you. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
The Son of Man [Jesus] has come to seek and to save the lost. (CSB) (Luke 19:10)

Today's Key Thought:
Let Jesus save you

Bible Reading: Psalm 56:1-13; Matthew 6:9-13

Zyan looked in awe at the newborn baby asleep in his arms. Zyan and his mom were visiting Aunt Sarah in the hospital because she had just had a baby.

"You're so tiny, Baby Charlie," Zyan said softly. Aunt Sarah smiled.

Just then, Charlie began to cry.

"Umm." Zyan shifted nervously, unsure what to do.

Aunt Sarah swooped in, scooping Charlie into her arms. "Oh, little one," she said, holding the baby close. "Tell Mama about it!" Charlie soon stopped crying, comforted by Aunt Sarah's closeness.

On the drive home, Zyan's mom spoke. "You know, Zyan, something Aunt Sarah said to Charlie today reminded me of Jesus."

"What was that?" asked Zyan.

"Well, Charlie needed his mom, so he cried out for her. Aunt Sarah came right over and was with him through his tears. Do you remember what Aunt Sarah said when she picked Charlie up?"

"Yeah," said Zyan. "She said, 'Tell Mama about it.'"

"Exactly," said Mom. "And Jesus does something similar with us. He promises to be with us--even in our most tearful moments. He tells us to tell Him how we're feeling and what we need. He is the One who will meet our needs, and His presence is what we need most."

"So Jesus is with me even when I don't remember He's there?" asked Zyan.

"Absolutely!" said Mom. "Just like Aunt Sarah was there for Charlie and comforted him by holding him close, Jesus is always with us. No emotion we experience is too big for Him. In fact, in the Bible we find all kinds of people who loved God and talked with Him about their deepest hurts, questions, and feelings. I'm really glad that God shows us in His Word that we can find comfort with Him, even in our hardest moments."

"Me too," said Zyan.

"And there's more good news to remember," Mom said. "Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, He promises He will one day make all things free from sin and free from tears! As Christians, we can know that He is with us now and forever, no matter what we face."

-Kandi Zeller

How About You?
Did you know that you can talk with Jesus, no matter what's going on in your life or how big your feelings are? God loves His children, so we can talk with Him about anything we're facing. As Christians, we can know that God is always with us and cares about what we're going through. Talk with Jesus about what you're feeling today!

Today's Key Verse:
[Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV) (1 Peter 5:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Share your feelings with Jesus

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 10:13-15

"We've been talking about evangelism in my class at church," Rae told her mom as they were relaxing in lounge chairs next to the hotel pool. "Evangelism is a church word that means telling others about Jesus. Our teacher has been telling us stories about missionaries in other countries and how we can tell people about Jesus too, no matter where we are." Rae sighed. "It's making me think a lot about Evelyn and Lucia. I don't think either of them knows Jesus."

"Do you talk to your friends about Jesus?" asked Mom.

"Well…not really," Rae replied. "But I pray for them all the time."

"Prayer is important," Mom said. "But we also need to share the good news of Jesus with others. They need to know He loves them so much He died for their sins."

The next day, as they exited the freeway and turned onto a small country road, Dad slowed down the car. "What's going on here?" he asked as a man ran toward them, waving his arms. Dad rolled down the window to speak with him.

"Can't go this way," the man said. "River's flooded two miles down, and part of the road is completely underwater. It doesn't look that deep, but a couple cars tried going through and their engines got flooded."

"Okay, thank you!" said Dad.

After they got back on the freeway and pulled up a new route on Dad's phone, Mom spoke up. "I'm sure glad that man ran over to tell us the road was flooded, aren't you?"

Rae nodded. "If he hadn't done that, we would have kept going that way."

"Right," said Mom. "We may have even tried to drive through the water and gotten our engine flooded. That would have ruined our whole trip!" Mom shook her head. "It made me think of Evelyn and Lucia. Just like we needed that man to tell us not to go the way we were going, your friends need someone to tell them they're going the wrong way. Pray for them, but also talk to them about Jesus and what He's done for you. They need to know He's the only way to be saved and have eternal life."

-Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Are you afraid to share the good news of Jesus with your friends? It's important to pray for other kids, but unless someone tells them about Jesus, how will they know they need Him? Perhaps God wants you to be that person. Let them know Jesus loves them, and be open about what He's done in your life. Ask God to give you opportunities to point your friends to Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (NKJV) (Romans 10:13)

Today's Key Thought:
Tell others about Jesus