Bible Reading: Romans 6:18-23

At midnight on New Year's Eve, the Wagner family always walked to ice-covered Pine Lake where they would bring in the New Year under the stars as they tossed glow sticks into the air.

But this year Aiden was in a grumpy mood. When his dad told him to do something, Aiden put it off as long as he could.

"You're skating on thin ice, Aiden," Dad said. He said that whenever Aiden was about to get in big trouble.

Now at midnight Aiden dashed onto the frozen lake. "We're here!"

"Stay close," Dad warned. "The weather has been unusually warm. The area around the dock is especially unstable because of the heat from the underwater plants growing there."

Aiden threw his glow sticks in the air. Immediately the blue one skidded across the ice toward the dock. He knew Dad had warned him about the dock area, but it was so close…

Suddenly he heard the ice crack beneath him, and he was in the water. "Help! Help!" Aiden screamed. The water was freezing, and he was sure he was going to drown.

"Put your feet down," Dad commanded. "You should be able to touch bottom."

Aiden did as Dad said and was surprised to discover the water only came to his waist. Soon he was back on solid ground. They ran back to the house, where Mom wrapped him in blankets.

"I'm sorry, Dad," Aiden said once he'd stopped shivering. "If I'd listened to you and not gone on the thin ice…"

"You wouldn't have fallen into the lake," Dad finished for him. "But you were on thin ice earlier in the day too, remember?"

"You mean when I didn't obey you right away when you told me to do something?"

Dad nodded. "Maybe it didn't seem like a big deal to you at the time, but it was a sin. And sin always leads to trouble." He put an arm around Aiden. "The good news is that we can stop our sinful behavior and start doing what's right--much like how you were able to stand up in the water. Because Jesus has saved us from sin, it has no power over us. We can always go to Jesus for forgiveness and trust Him to help us change our ways."

–Linda Weddle

How About You?
Do you like to skate on thin ice? Do you see how close you can get to doing something wrong without getting in trouble? The Bible tells us if we know what the right thing to do is but don't do it, we're sinning--and sin always leads to trouble. Through Jesus we have the power to turn from sin and do what's right. If you're skating on thin ice, confess your sin to Jesus and trust Him to help you choose to do what is right.

Today's Key Verse:
If you fail to do what you know is right, you are sinning. (ERV) (James 4:17 )

Today's Key Thought:
Stay away from sin

Bible Reading: Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43-48

"Let's go get an ice cream cone at the Eskimo Palace, Dad," said Kinsley. "We can be back before Mom gets home from her meeting."

"Good idea," said Dad, so they went out to the car.

As they drove along, they passed a couple of Kinsley's classmates playing at the park. "Ugh!" said Kinsley. "I can't stand that girl with the long braid!"

Dad looked at Kinsley in surprise. "Why's that?"

"She's the one who beat me out of a place on the volleyball team," said Kinsley.

Just as Dad started to reply, there was a loud bang, and the car veered to the right. "Oh no!" groaned Dad. "Flat tire!" He pulled over to the side of the road and got some tools and the spare tire from the trunk. Soon he had the car jacked up, and he and Kinsley chatted as he worked. "Kinsley," said Dad, "I want to hear more about why you don't like that girl we saw. The fact that she got the place you wanted on the team is not a reason to dislike her. Didn't you beat someone out of a spot when you made the soccer team last fall?"

Kinsley kicked at a pebble. "I guess."

Dad removed the wheel with the flat tire and replaced it with the spare one. "I'm glad we have this spare to use." He paused, then asked, "Don't you think your attitude needs to be changed--like this flat tire needs changing? Maybe it's time for you to find a spare attitude to replace the grudge you're holding against your friend."

"She's not my friend," said Kinsley. "She's…she's an enemy!"

"I see," said Dad, putting the flat tire in the trunk. "Well, do you remember what Jesus said about how we should treat our enemies?"

"He said we should love them," Kinsley murmured.

Dad nodded. "We've all sinned against Him, yet He loved us enough to die for us so we could be forgiven and have eternal life. And He gives us the power to show that same attitude of love and forgiveness toward others." Dad closed the trunk. "Shall we see if those girls are still at the park and invite them to join us for some ice cream?"

Kinsley hesitated a moment, then slowly nodded.

–Vicki L. Reinhardt

How About You?
Are you holding a grudge against someone? Stand back and take a good look at the entire situation. Think about your attitude. Remember that God loves everyone--even your enemies--and He will help you love them too. Thank God for His love for you, then trust Him to help you show the same attitude of love toward others that He showed you.

Today's Key Verse:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. (NIV) (Romans 15:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't hold grudges

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:33; 13:44-46

"Well, buddy, tomorrow's your last day of vacation with your grandpa. What would you like to do?" Grandpa asked Everett as they sat on the porch together.

Everett patted Grandpa's dog, Bexley, while he thought. "I know!" he exclaimed. "Let's get some ice cream. You know, Grandpa--the one with jellybeans in it."

"That's certainly special," Grandpa replied. "I haven't seen that in a long time. But we'll try to find it."

The next afternoon, after Everett and Grandpa returned from a fishing trip, they set out to search for the special treat. The ice cream shop in town didn't have it. They asked at a shop in the mall, but it no longer served that dessert.

As the two returned to Grandpa's truck, Everett said, "Grandpa, I really don't want to give up. Can we please keep trying?"

Grandpa smiled. "We're not quitting, buddy. This is important! We'll keep on looking."

Finally, Grandpa suggested they check at the grocery store. There in the frozen food aisle, Everett located his favorite flavor of ice cream filled with colorful jellybeans.

"We did it!" Everett cried.

When they got home, Grandpa served them each a bowl of the sweet treat on the porch while Bexley sat between them.

"Our adventure to find this ice cream reminds me of a Bible story," Grandpa said. "The Bible compares the kingdom of heaven to a hidden treasure and a fine pearl. In the story Jesus tells, the men searching for these treasures sold all they had to get them."

"Kind of like how we were willing to visit so many places to find special ice cream," Everett added.

Grandpa nodded. "Knowing Jesus and being part of His kingdom is a treasure worth more than anything else. Since you've trusted Jesus to forgive your sins, Everett, you have found that treasure. Now you're on a journey for more than ice cream--a journey of growing to know and love Jesus more and more."

"A journey? Grandpa, I think you mean a treasure hunt! Now, can I please have more ice cream treasure?" Everett asked with a grin.

–Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
Have you ever searched for something you truly wanted? God wants us to seek Him that way. We can trust Him to provide what we need as we set our hearts on seeking Him first--getting to know Him through prayer, reading His Word, and fellowship with other Christ followers. Knowing Jesus is the best treasure of all, and as we seek to grow in our relationship with Him, He fills our lives with the richness of who He is.

Today's Key Verse:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV) (Matthew 6:33 )

Today's Key Thought:
Search for God's treasure

Bible Reading: Luke 11:1-4

"What did you talk about in Sunday school today?" Sienna's dad asked as the family drove home from church.

"We learned that Jesus took time out of his busy day to pray," replied Sienna.

"Yes, He did, and that's a good thing for all of us to do," said Dad.

"Yeah, I know," said Sienna with a sigh. "I'm just so busy these days. I have basketball and gymnastics and Bible club, and I have a lot more homework this year too. I just don't have time to pray very much."

Mom smiled at her. "Sienna, what's the first thing you do when you get home from school?"

Sienna thought about it. "I call Mariana," she answered. "Unless she calls me first."

"And why do you call Mariana?" asked Mom.

"Because she's my friend," replied Sienna.

"If you're so busy, how do you find time to talk to her every day?" asked Mom.

Sienna shrugged. "I don't know--I just do. I make the time. I like talking with her--she's my friend."

"Well, Jesus is our friend too," said Dad. "He wants to be our very best friend. We should spend time talking with Jesus because we love Him--just like you spend time talking with Mariana because you care about her."

"But I never really know what to say when I pray," said Sienna. "It seems like the stuff I want to talk about wouldn't interest God."

"Oh, but it does," said Dad. "Jesus died and rose again so we could have a relationship with Him, and He cares about all our thoughts and feelings. And you can talk to Him anytime and anyplace."

Mom nodded. "Mariana doesn't go to your school, so you're not able to talk to her throughout the day, but Jesus is with you all the time. You can ask Him for help whenever you need it. And He wants to hear about all the ordinary things going on in your life too."

"Cool!" said Sienna. "I never really thought of prayer as talking with a friend."

"God is always available, but don't forget to also make a special time each day to talk with Him for a few minutes," said Dad. "He wants to hear all you have to say."

–Anna Somers

How About You?
Do you like talking with your friends? Did you know that if you're a Christian, Jesus is your friend too? He's always right there with you, and He wants you to tell Him whatever's on your mind--your feelings, problems, questions, joys, and sorrows. Talk to Him throughout the day like you would talk to your best friend, and also set aside a few minutes each day to shut out other things and spend time with Him in prayer.

Today's Key Verse:
You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. (NKJV) (Jeremiah 29:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Prayer is talking with a friend

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

"We have to defeat the monsters!" Max shouted, swinging his imaginary sword. "Let's go get them!" Max and his dad started charging across their backyard toward the imaginary monster lair, swinging their swords and shouting their war cries as they played heroes.

"But wait!" Max's dad stopped short. "We have to put on armor first!"

"Oh yes, you're right. To protect us!"

"Yes! What armor do you think we'll need?"

"A helmet!" Max declared. "And a breastplate!"

"That's exactly right! And don't forget a shield."

Max and his dad started putting on their imaginary armor, making sure their breastplates fit them well and their helmets were securely fastened.

"Now we have our full armor on!" Max said when they were ready.

"You know," Dad said, "the Bible talks about putting on the full armor of God."

"What does that mean?" Max asked.

"It means we should protect ourselves against the devil. Satan wants to lead us away from God, but the Bible gives us ways to stand against him. It says to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness."

"What about our shields and helmets?" asked Max.

"Great point. The Bible talks about taking up the shield of faith, which is faith in Jesus, and putting on the helmet of salvation. Our salvation comes from God when we place our faith in Jesus. Because of Jesus's death and resurrection, God forgives our sins and gives us eternal life when we trust Jesus as our Savior, and we receive Jesus's righteousness--His goodness. The Bible also talks about taking up the sword of the Spirit"--Max's dad held up his imaginary sword--"which is the Word of God."

"Is that the Bible?" asked Max.

"Yes!" said Dad. "Putting on our armor helps us remember the truth and power we have in Jesus so we can stand against the devil's lies."

"Well, I want to put on the armor of God!" Max said. "Let's finish defeating these monsters with our pretend swords and then we can go inside and take up the sword of the Spirit by reading the Bible!"

"That sounds like a great idea, Max!" Dad smiled as they started charging toward the imaginary monster lair again.

–Elizabeth Cooper

How About You?
Are you wearing the armor of God for protection against the devil? When we place our faith in Jesus, He saves us from sin and Satan and makes us right with God. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Satan has no power over us, but he still tries to get us to stray away from God and His truth. Put on the full armor of God so you can stand firm against Satan's temptations and lies.

Today's Key Verse:
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. (CSB) (Ephesians 6:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Put on the full armor of God