Bible Reading: Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24

"Church in a cave!" exclaimed Elias. He and his family were on vacation, and Dad had announced they'd be attending a church service inside a cave. "I've never been in a cave," Elias said. "I wonder what it will be like."

Early Sunday morning, they were on their way. When they were finally down in the cave and seated in the large room where the service was to be held, Elias shivered. It was very dark, except where electric lights lit the way. Huge stone formations hung down, while others rose up from the floor, casting gloomy shadows. The air was damp, and water dripped down the rocky walls. In his seat, Elias pulled his jacket close around him to keep out the cold, clammy air. This is interesting, but I don't really like this dark, scary place, he thought. I hope the sermon doesn't last long. He glanced at the dark shadows cast by the stones.

Shortly after the minister started speaking, it was suddenly pitch dark! Elias anxiously reached out toward where his father was sitting. "I'm right here beside you," Dad whispered.

The minister had paused in his message, and children began crying. Some of the adults nervously tried to calm the children. "Don't be afraid. I'm sure the lights will be back on in a few moments," said the minister. "Don't forget that God can see just as well in the dark as in bright sunlight. He's outside in the sunshine, and He's right here with us too. Our great God is omnipresent."

"What does that mean--that big word?" Elias whispered to Dad.

"It means God is present everywhere at the same time," Dad replied.

"There's no place in this entire universe where God isn't present," continued the minister. "Even way down in this dark cave. He's watching over you this very minute. He cares for us so much that Jesus became one of us and experienced the darkness of death so we would never have to be separated from Him. No matter how dark things get, He is always with us."

Elias felt glad God was right there with Him. I don't even feel very scared anymore, he thought. When the lights came back on a moment later, Elias gave his dad a big smile.

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Are you facing something that fills you with fear? Does it feel like you're surrounded by darkness and God is far away? No matter where you are or what it is you're facing, God is there with you. Although you can't see Him, He is watching over you and caring for you. The Bible tells us He is everywhere--He's omnipresent--and Jesus promises that nothing can separate us from Him, not even death. Whenever you're afraid or lonely, remember He is with you.

Today's Key Verse:
"Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord. (NKJV) (Jeremiah 23:24)

Today's Key Thought:
God is everywhere

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9; Philippians 1:12-20

"Something smells delicious!" Dad said as he walked into the kitchen.

"That's because it's chocolate." Lacy pointed to three bowls. "It's going to be a chocolate layer cake with three layers of dark, milk, and white chocolate."

Dad winked. "I'm glad you started watching baking shows in your free time."

"I wonder why!" Lacy giggled.

"How have things been going with Nia?" asked Dad.

Lacy removed the paddle attachment from the mixer. "We've been friends since kindergarten, so I thought she would be more understanding when I told her about my new relationship with Jesus. Instead, things have been difficult."

"How so?"

"Well, sometimes we used to make fun of kids in the lunchroom…it was kind of like our game, though we never said it to their faces. Now, I don't want to do that since I belong to Jesus and I know He loves those kids. I tried to explain it to Nia, but she said Jesus makes me boring."

"Did that make you want to behave the way you used to?"

Lacy shrugged. "For a second, but only because I want our friendship to stay the same."

Dad nodded thoughtfully. "Lacy, remember when you started baking? What was the first thing you made?"

"Those awful chocolate chip cookies! I over-mixed them and left them in the oven too long."

Dad laughed. "I was proud of how you didn't let that make you quit. You kept baking, your cookies kept improving, and today you're making a triple layer cake! Living a new life in Christ is not always going to be easy, but you have God's promise that He will be with you wherever you go. Because you have His Spirit in you, you will have the courage to speak and act in ways that are pleasing to Him."

"You're right, Dad. My baking journey took time, so I guess it makes sense that my faith journey will too. I just have to be courageous and keep taking the next right step." Lacy grinned. "I know what I'm going to name my cake! Chocolate Courage Layer Cake. It will remind me that in every layer of life, God will give me what I need to live courageously for Him!"

-Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Are you a child of God? When you belong to Jesus, He promises to never leave you or abandon you and to give you everything you need to live a life pleasing to Him. It can be scary to live in a way the world doesn't always understand. Living for Jesus and doing the right thing takes courage. With God's help, you can choose to live courageously and make daily decisions that show others His love.

Today's Key Verse:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV) (Joshua 1:9)

Today's Key Thought:
In God's strength, you can live courageously

Bible Reading: Romans 12:3-8

"I'll help with that," Everett said when his sisters got out a puzzle. "That's a cool picture." He pointed to the cover, which showed three sailboats out at sea.

"There sure are a lot of different shapes and colors in this puzzle," Grace observed as she tipped the box over and the pieces tumbled onto the table. She picked up a piece. "I like the ones with the pretty, sunshiny yellow color."

Natasha nodded. "I like the blues and greens too. I want to work with them. But not the other pieces--they're not as bright and colorful."

"But if all the pieces were blue and green and yellow, we couldn't make a picture like the one on the box," Everett reminded her. "All the puzzle pieces are important."

"Just like people," Mom said from where she was working on her laptop nearby. The kids looked at her curiously, and Mom smiled. "Puzzle pieces come in different shapes and colors, but we need them all to put the whole picture together," said Mom. "People are different too. God created us to have different sizes, shapes, and colors, and He also gave us different personalities and abilities. But if we know Jesus, we're all part of His family. We look different and have different abilities, but we're all needed."

"Even kids are needed, right?" asked Grace.

"Of course!" said Mom. "Right now, you need to be a student in school."

"Yeah, because everyone can't be the same thing!" said Everett. "Imagine if everybody was a teacher--who would there be to teach?"

Natasha laughed. "Or if everybody was a preacher, who would there be to listen?"

"And who would grow the food for us to eat?" asked Everett.

"Food! Of course you'd think about that!" teased Grace.

"God made us all to be different so that together we can create a picture of what He's like and show the world His love," Mom said. "No matter what He has for you to do now or when you're older, you are needed!"

-Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
Do you ever wish you were like someone else? Maybe you wish you looked like them or that you could do things they can do. But God didn't create you to be them--He created you to be you! He made you the way you are, and like every Christian, you are an important piece of the puzzle. You are needed to help grow God's kingdom and show His love to others. Trust Him to help you do your part so you can help show a picture of Jesus to the world, just the way you are.

Today's Key Verse:
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (NIV) (Romans 12:6 )

Today's Key Thought:
All Christians are needed

Bible Reading: Mark 14:3-9; 1 John 3:18

Grandma will like this, Kade thought as he worked on a picture. She'll probably take it home and put it up somewhere. He finished drawing a house, then worked on trees and clouds. Kade enjoyed art, and his teacher had told him he had a talent for it. "There!" he said, looking over the finished picture.

Nearby, Kade's five-year-old sister Chloe worked on a picture of her own. "Mine's done too," she said, holding it up.

Kade scoffed at it. "What's Grandma going to do with that? Just looks like scribbling to me!" Chloe scowled at him and left the room.

When Grandma arrived, Kade gave her his drawing. "My, this is good work, Kade!" Grandma exclaimed. Then she turned to Chloe, who was shyly holding out her picture. Grandma took it and exclaimed over it too. "These are both going on my refrigerator," she said. Kade scowled.

When Kade and Grandma were alone a little later, she asked him about it. "Don't you want me to put your picture up?" she asked.

"Sure, but you made it sound like Chloe's was as good as mine," Kade replied. "It's not half as good! Hers is just scribbling. Why would you like it?"

"I could see the love that went into it," Grandma explained. "I saw that Chloe had worked just as hard to please me as you had. Maybe it wasn't done with a practiced hand as yours was, but the love was there. She did what she could."

Kade nodded slowly. "I guess that means you'd love me just as much if I weren't good at drawing."

"You're absolutely right about that!" said Grandma. "I love you because you're my grandson, not because of what you can do. And you know what? That's the way God loves us too. We don't need to do anything for Him to love us. He already loves us so much He sent Jesus to save us so we could be His children! And He's always delighted by our gifts. We may see some actions or deeds as being small or unimportant, but they're important to God because He notices the love that's put into them. Giving a helping hand, a friendly smile, or an encouraging word is just as important to God as anything else we could do to serve Him."

-Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Does what you do for God seem less important than what others do for Him? It's not. On the other hand, perhaps you think what you do for Him is more important than what others do. That's not true either. God sees the love that goes into each deed, no matter how big or small it seems to you. Everything we do in response to the love He has shown us is precious in His sight.

Today's Key Verse:
She has done what she could. (NKJV) (Mark 14:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Serve God with love

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3:3-4

Willow waved goodbye to Sydney's family, then ran into the house. "Hi, honey," Mom said. "Did you enjoy Sydney's church today?"

"Yeah, but I kind of felt out of place," Willow said. "I was too dressed up. Nobody dresses up at Sydney's church. She says it makes visitors feel uncomfortable." Willow shook her head. "I don't get it. You and Dad want me to dress up to show respect for God when we go to church to worship Him. But I get what Sydney said too. Who's right?"

"That's not an easy question," replied Mom. "The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what to wear to church, but it does give us some guidelines."

Willow thought for a moment. "Somewhere it says to dress modestly."

"Yes," said Mom. "That means church shouldn't be a fashion show to attract attention to ourselves or to our clothes. We should try not to offend others who may have different opinions about what's appropriate to wear."

"Some people were offended when Ryan wore a T-shirt," said Willow.

"Well, it was what was on the T-shirt that was the problem. The picture and words on his shirt indicated a disrespectful attitude," Mom explained. "But do you know Mr. Hales? He often brings visitors from the homeless shelter. He dresses casually, so they won't feel out of place. Nobody's offended by that."

"No, I guess not," said Willow.

"There will always be differences in clothing preferences," Mom said. "But the important thing is to honor God in the way we dress. He looks at our hearts, not just our outward appearance, and He wants us to consider others when we choose what to wear. Our clothes should convey the love He has put in our hearts because we trust in Jesus."

Willow sighed. "So what is the right way to dress?"

"As long as you follow the standards given in the Bible of love, respect, and modesty, I don't think there is a right or wrong way," Mom replied.

"So can I wear jeans to church next week?" asked Willow eagerly.

Mom thought about it. "All right," she said. "But only if you invite Sydney to come to church with us. We wouldn't want her to feel out of place, now, would we?"

-Heather Tekavec

How About You?
How do you dress for church--or anywhere? It's easy to put on clothes to impress people, but God says your clothes should reflect your heart. Before getting dressed, think about why you want to wear the clothes you do. Is it to get attention or make yourself feel more important than other people? If so, you may need to pick out a different outfit. Let your clothing choices show love and respect for God and others.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (NKJV) (Colossians 3:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Dress modestly