Bible Reading: Psalm 51:7; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:22-24

Shearing the sheep was a big deal around the McMillian ranch. It only happened once a year, and Landon loved watching his dad and some of the hired hands shear the sheep. Landon was always fascinated with how still the sheep would stay as they were turned onto their backs. They seemed so relaxed.

Once the shearing was done, the sheep were led back out to the pasture, and the wool was gathered up into big bags and sent off to the mill to be cleaned and processed. Soon the wool would be dyed into many different colors and turned into beautiful pieces of clothing and other items. The sheep were always so full of energy after they had that heavy wool taken off it was as if they were little lambs again.

"We got a good yield of wool this year," Dad told Landon's mom as they sat down for dinner.

Dad prayed, and then Landon, talking so fast that Mom could hardly understand him, told her all about the exciting day of sheep shearing. "The dirty, heavy wool just came right off in big layers, and the sheep looked so clean, and it almost looked like they were smiling. They must be happy to have all that old wool off them."

"You know, you're right, Landon, and that reminds me of us as Christians," Dad said.

"What do you mean, Dad?" Landon asked.

"Well, before we were saved, we were carrying the heavy load of our sin. But when we trusted in Jesus, He removed our sin and made us clean, and He gave us a new life. That means we need to throw off our old, sinful nature--the way we thought and acted before we knew Jesus--and put on our new nature. We do that by trusting the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and attitudes and make us more like Jesus."

"That's really cool, Dad!"

For the rest of the night, Landon thought about what his dad had said. He was so thankful that Jesus had forgiven his sins and washed them all away. Just like the sheep, Landon felt cleaner and lighter. Before going to bed, he prayed and asked the Lord to help him remember to let the Holy Spirit renew his attitude each day.

-Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Has Jesus removed your heavy load of sin? Once you become a Christian by trusting in Him, you begin a new life. Jesus removes your sin and gives you the Holy Spirit, who guides you in living your life. As you follow His leading, you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. So today, be mindful of your new life in Christ, and let the Holy Spirit guide you and renew your thoughts.

Today's Key Verse:
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT) (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus gives us new life

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-11

Jase raced into the garage where his older brother was working on his car. "Cole! Come quick! Hunter fell into Mrs. Scott's pool and she can't get him out!"

Cole grabbed a broom from the corner and shot out of the garage to help the small neighbor boy. Jase ran after him and watched his brother jump into the pool and swim to where Hunter was thrashing around. Cole got Hunter onto the broom and pulled him to the side of the pool, where Jase and Mrs. Scott lifted him out.

That evening, Jase couldn't stop talking about Cole's daring rescue.

"I should teach you some life-saving techniques before I go back to college," said Cole. "Too many people think they can just jump in the water and swim to someone who's drowning, but that's the worst thing you can do. The person will just pull you under. First you should see if there's a way to pull them out without getting in the water yourself. If you must jump in, make sure you have something for them to grab on to."

"Like a broom!" said Jase. "I wonder if any of the neighbors laughed when they saw you sprinting down the street holding a broom."

"They can laugh all they want," said Cole. "I grabbed the first thing I saw that would help me save Hunter."

"You know," said Jase, "this reminds me of Pastor Lee's sermon last week. He talked about how people made fun of Jesus when He died on the cross, but Jesus knew dying for our sins was the only way we could be saved. It's like we were drowning in sin, and Jesus jumped in to rescue us." Jase sighed. "Sometimes I'm afraid my friends will laugh at me if I talk to them about Jesus. But you didn't care what anyone would think when you grabbed that broom to rescue Hunter, and Jesus came to save us even though it meant He would be laughed at as He suffered and died."

Cole smiled. "I struggle with the same thing sometimes--I'm afraid my college friends will laugh if I talk to them about my faith. Maybe I should put that broom in my dorm room to remind me how much we all need to be rescued by Jesus."

-Vicki L. Reinhardt

How About You?
Are you afraid people might laugh at you if they find out you're a Christian? Do you think your friends might tease you if you try to talk to them about Jesus? That could happen, but remember what Jesus went through to save us--He was publicly ridiculed and then nailed to a cross for our sins. We all need Him to rescue us, and those who don't know Him need to hear about Him. Trust Him to give you courage to share your faith with others.

Today's Key Verse:
Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 9:16)

Today's Key Thought:
Tell others about Jesus

Bible Reading: Romans 5:6-11; 1 Peter 5:7-11

"Mom, I wish Dad still lived here," said August as he finished getting ready for school. He sighed deeply. "I…I wish I had acted better. Then maybe he wouldn't have left."

"August, Dad didn't leave because of your behavior. He loves you as much as ever," Mom said, putting an arm around August.

"You're sure?" asked August. Mom nodded, but August sighed again. Both his mom and dad had said that many times. He wanted to believe them, but there was an ache in his heart that wouldn't go away. He was sure if he hadn't whined so much or had obeyed more quickly, Dad wouldn't have moved out.

At school, thoughts of his dad often popped up between the sentences August was reading. He finally got his mind off his problems when his teacher showed the class a big book on space travel. "Can I take it home today and show my mom?" August asked after class. He was thrilled when his teacher said yes.

August took the heavy book and began walking home. As he walked, it seemed to grow heavier and heavier. "Look what I've got," he said when his mom met him at the back door. "This book is so cool--but it makes my arm ache."

"That book is awfully big. It's a burden too heavy for you to carry." Mom reached down and took the book. "Feelings can also be burdens too heavy for us to carry. Like the feeling you have that Dad left because of you."

"I sure wish I didn't have that feeling," August said. "It hurts worse than my arm."

"I know," said Mom. "Jesus invites us to give our burdens to Him. He can handle any burden we're trying to carry ourselves and promises to give us rest and strength. Wouldn't you like Him to carry that burden for you?" August nodded. "Let's talk to Him about it," said Mom, so they bowed their heads and prayed together. "Now," said Mom, "anytime you feel like Dad's leaving is your fault, go to Jesus again, and remember that He'll carry the burden for you. Will you do that?"

August nodded. His arm still hurt, but the ache in his heart felt much better.

-Katherine R. Adams

How About You?
Do you have a burden that's too heavy for you? If your parents are separated or divorced, do you wonder if it's your fault? Maybe worries about school or friends often fill your mind. Talk to an adult about your heavy burdens--someone who can help you turn them over to Jesus. He loves you and wants to carry them for you. If they start to worry you again, give them right back to Him--and learn to leave them there.

Today's Key Verse:
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. (NLT) (Psalm 55:22)

Today's Key Thought:
Give your burdens to Jesus

Bible Reading: Luke 12:15-21, 31; Hebrews 13:5

"Mom! The house on the corner--the one we looked at last year--is for sale again," Charlotte said as she burst through the door. "Can we look at it again, Mom? Can we buy it? It's so cool!"

"It's a beautiful house," said Mom. "But it was too expensive when we looked at it before, and I'm sure it still is." She glanced around the room. "This is a beautiful house too. God has provided well for us."

"Yes, but the one on the corner is so much bigger!" said Charlotte.

"But the only way we could pay for that house would be to live on canned spaghetti and powdered milk," Mom said with a grin. "Does that sound good to you?"

Charlotte laughed. "No, but wouldn't it be nice if we were richer and could afford a house like that? Maybe you could work more hours, and I could do odd jobs for people in the neighborhood."

Mom frowned. "Do you remember what happened when we tried to make a super-duper buffet lunch last week?"

"Yeah." Charlotte groaned. "We had the oven going, and every appliance we owned was plugged in. We blew one fuse after another, so we couldn't get anything done!"

"Yes," said Mom. "We ended up with a lot of half-cooked food because we tried to do too much. Can you see how we might learn something from that experience?"

"Sure." Charlotte giggled. "We learned we need the big house on the corner because the electric stuff here doesn't work so well!"

Mom laughed. "I had a more spiritual lesson in mind. I'm thinking that we could overload ourselves like we overloaded the wiring. More work, more possessions, more debt--filling our lives with more more more can make us lose track of what really matters. It might seem like a bigger house or more stuff will bring us more satisfaction in life, but we need to remember that only Jesus can satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. He knows our wants as well as our needs, and He promises to fill our lives with the riches of His love and grace, which is worth far more than anything money can buy. Let's trust Him and be thankful for a safe and comfortable home we can afford."

-Lorna B. Hickey

How About You?
Do you ever wish your parents had more money? Do you dream about the things you'd be able to buy if they did? Money provides physical comforts, but nothing you can buy will ever satisfy your soul. Only Jesus can do that. So don't overburden yourself seeking riches that don't satisfy. Remember that Jesus knows exactly what you need, and let Him fill your life with the richness of knowing Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. (NLT) (Luke 12:15)

Today's Key Thought:
Things don't satisfy

Bible Reading: Zechariah 7:9-10; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Peter 3:8-12

After the basketball game, Gracie's mom picked her up. "Can we drop Liv off at her house?" asked Gracie.

"Sure," said Mom, and the girls climbed into the back seat.

"That girl with the purple pants was a mess, wasn't she, Gracie?" Liv giggled. "She couldn't make a basket if you set it three inches in front of her nose!"

Gracie frowned. "You've got to give her credit for trying. She was doing her best! Besides, I felt bad for her." Liv shrugged and changed the subject.

At home, Gracie set the table while her mom fixed dinner. "I'm proud of you," Mom said as she took out a recipe book. She moved things around on the counter and appeared to be looking for something. "I'm glad you didn't make fun of the girl on the other team today."

"Well, it's not like I'm going into the basketball hall of fame either," Gracie said sheepishly.

Mom smiled at her. "Maybe that helped you to be kind. I know it's tempting to poke fun at people, but we have to remember that God created and loves every one of us, and He wants us to respect one another. By not making fun of that girl, you showed the kind of love and compassion today that Jesus shows us." Mom opened a drawer and sorted through it.

"Are you looking for something?" Gracie asked.

Mom nodded. "My glasses. I can't imagine where I left them."

Gracie looked at her mother and burst out laughing. "Look in the mirror," she said, pointing. "You pushed them up on top of your head!" Suddenly, she stopped laughing. "Oh! I guess I shouldn't laugh! I didn't mean to make fun of you."

Mom grinned. "Yes, you should laugh!" she said, removing her glasses from her head. "It's okay to laugh at funny things that happen. Just make sure you're laughing at what a person does and not at the person, and only if it's something both of you find funny--don't laugh if it would hurt someone's feelings. In this case, you're not hurting my feelings at all."

Gracie relaxed. "You did look funny," she said. Laughter spilled out again--and Mom's laugh was even louder than Gracie's.

-Karen E. Cogan

How About You?
Do you find it hard to know when it's okay to laugh at something? If you're tempted to laugh at someone, imagine how it would feel to have others laughing at you for that same reason. If you wouldn't mind, it's probably okay. But if it would hurt you, or if the person seems to be offended at others laughing, stop. By being sensitive to people's feelings, you're showing them the love and compassion of Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Show faithful love and compassion to one another. (CSB) (Zechariah 7:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't hurt others by laughing