Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30

"That's so unfair!" Joey exclaimed. He and his mom were learning about elephants and had just read that in some places elephants were sometimes made to carry heavy loads on their backs. "Elephants are already so heavy--to give them more weight is mean!"

"Well," said Mom, "some big, heavy animals are able to carry a lot of weight on their backs, but elephants' bodies are not designed that way. So you're right--they should not be made to carry heavy loads on their backs." She turned toward the hallway as Joey's baby sister began to cry, then put the book down and went to the baby's room. Joey took out his train set and was soon winding tracks all around the family room.

When dinner was ready, Mom asked Joey to clean up his train set and other toys. Joey frowned. "I don't want to clean up these toys! Can't you do it tonight, Mom?"

"Joey, do you remember what made you upset this afternoon?" Mom asked.

"Oh yeah," Joey said. "The elephants! That was so mean to add to their weight!"

Quietly, Mom said, "Joey, do you realize that people carry heavy loads too? And that when we don't help out or do our share--when we argue and make things more difficult--we're adding to their weight?"

Looking down, Joey replied, "Well, no. I never thought about that."

"Everyone carries something," Mom said. "I carry the weight of taking care of you and your sister. Mr. Johnson next door carries the weight of helping Mrs. Johnson while she's sick. Your father carries the weight of making sure we have everything we need. Carrying around weight is part of life. But do you know that God's Word tells us that rather than adding to someone's burdens, we should bear them by helping to carry them? And do you know why that is so special?"

"Why?" asked Joey.

"Because that's what Jesus does for us. He tells us in the Bible, 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Because He loves us, Jesus took our greatest burden--the weight of our sin--so He could offer us rest. When we help carry one another's burdens, we are reminding each other of the ultimate burden bearer--Jesus!"

-Cara Blondo

How About You?
Do you think about the weight those around you are carrying? Your parents, teachers, and even friends all have some concern on their hearts that may be weighing them down. By remembering what Jesus did for you, you can imitate Him by helping alleviate their burdens. Help carry the extra weight on their hearts by offering a helping hand, not talking back, and being patient with them.

Today's Key Verse:
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (NKJV) (Galatians 6:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Help carry others' burdens

Bible Reading: Acts 1:8; 16:1-5

"Mom, look!" Max's older brother Bankston held up a paper. "I've got an application to help Mr. Brock at his store. Since he's new in town and doesn't know any of us very well, he's asking for references."

"References?" echoed Max. "What are those?"

"Mr. Brock said I should list the names of a few people who know me well," Bankston explained. "I wonder who I can list as a reference."

"How about the Chens?" suggested Mom. "And maybe the Pearsons."

Bankston looked a little sheepish. "I don't know," he said uncertainly. "I saw Mrs. Chen trying to load a heavy box into her car in the mall parking lot the other day, but I didn't stop to help. I was in a hurry so I pretended I didn't see her, but I think she knew I did. So I'm not sure I should ask her."

"You better not ask Mr. Pearson either," said Max. "He saw you push me when we were shoveling snow the other day."

Bankston noticed his mom's frown. "I'm sorry about that, Max," he said. "I was wrong, and now I'm not sure who I'm going to ask to be a reference."

"Well, I'll help you brainstorm after dinner," said Mom. "Let's put the application away for now--it's time to eat."

After dinner, Mom took out her Bible and read from the book of Acts. "That was interesting," she said when she finished. "It seems that Paul wanted to take Timothy with him on a missionary journey because of the good things Christians were saying about him in the town where Timothy lived."

"Good references would really be important for a trip like that!" said Max. "Paul knew Timothy would make a good missionary because he loved the people in his town and wanted them to know about Jesus."

Mom nodded. "Timothy was able to show others God's love because he had the Holy Spirit living in him, and since we also trust in Jesus, we do too! The Holy Spirit works in our hearts so we can love others like Jesus does and tell people about Him. We don't need to go on a missionary trip to share the love of Jesus--we can do that through our words and actions every day."

-Phyllis M. Robinson

How About You?
Do you know that the reason we can love others is because God loved us first? Do your words and actions reflect Jesus's love? Don't forget that you have the Holy Spirit, who fills you with God's love and is shaping you to be more like Jesus so others can see His love in your life. How can you show God's love to others today?

Today's Key Verse:
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere. (NLT) (Acts 1:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Show others God's love

Bible Reading: Revelation 21:1-5

Malachi stacked blocks with Ayanna, his two-year-old sister. Today, Aunt Tori was watching them while Uncle Mike helped Mom and Dad pack for next week's move. To save money, the two families had decided to move into one house.

Malachi began to place the blocks into the shape of a house, setting up four walls with space for a door. "Aunt Tori," he said, "this kind of looks like our new place."

"I love it!" Aunt Tori exclaimed.

"It still needs a roof though," replied Malachi with a puzzled expression. "Except I'm not sure how to make a triangle-shaped one like the house has."

"What about an open book?" asked Aunt Tori. "Ayanna, can you find a red book?"

After happily toddling over to the bookshelf, Ayanna presented a red paperback. "Wed book," she said with a grin.

Aunt Tori took the book, opened it slightly, and gently placed it on top of the walls Malachi had built. Just then, Mom, Dad, and Uncle Mike walked in.

Malachi motioned toward the blocks. "We made a mini house with a tiny red roof!"

"You've done a great job," said Dad. "Unfortunately, it's time to head back to our house for the night."

Ayanna burst into tears. "No want to go," she said as she flopped into Mom's arms. "Wanna play with Aunt Towi and Unca Mike."

"Oh, Ayanna," said Malachi, trying to comfort her. "I have good news for you! Pretty soon we'll be living in the same house with Aunt Tori and Uncle Mike, remember?" This seemed to help Ayanna feel a bit better.

On the car ride home, Dad said, "You know, Malachi, what you said to comfort Ayanna reminded me of Jesus's promises to us."

"How?" asked Malachi.

"Jesus promises that He will return someday to make all things new," said Dad. "Because He died and rose again for us and we have faith in Him, we know we will live forever with Jesus and other believers."

"That's right," said Mom. "Right now, we get to live with Aunt Tori and Uncle Mike in our earthly house, but one day we'll all get to live together in the new heavens and new earth with Jesus."

Malachi grinned. "Now that's good news!"

-Kandi Zeller

How About You?
Are you facing a big change in your life? Maybe it's something you're excited about, or maybe you feel disappointed or scared. As Christians, we can trust that our future is secure and that Jesus is with us no matter what we face. Even death can't separate us from God's love because we will get to live with Jesus and all our siblings in Christ forever! Until then, trust Jesus to be with you through life's changes, and look to other Christians for support too.

Today's Key Verse:
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people." (NLT) (Revelation 21:3)

Today's Key Thought:
Christians will live with Jesus forever

Bible Reading: Isaiah 1:18; Titus 3:3-7

"Ugh! I'm so tired of this cold weather. What's the use of winter anyway?" Josh grumbled as he put on his heavy coat and snow boots.

Josh's mom handed him his lunch and said, "We can talk more about it tonight, but pay attention to how clean the new fallen snow looks as you walk out to the bus stop."

As he walked down the sidewalk, Josh dragged his boots through the snow, thinking about what his mom had said. When he got on the bus, he told his best friend Marcus about it.

"What does not liking winter have to do with clean snow?" Marcus asked.

Josh shrugged. "I don't know, but Mom said we'd talk more about it tonight."

Josh and Marcus didn't think any more about it the rest of the day, until Josh's mom picked them both up after school. It was Friday, and Marcus was spending the night.

Josh's dad picked up pizza for dinner on his way home from work. As they ate, Josh said, "Hey, Mom, Marcus and I are wondering what you meant this morning when you told me to pay attention to how clean the new fallen snow looked."

"Well, I used to complain about winter too because I can't stand to be cold," Mom replied. "But on one winter morning when I was having my devotions, I read Isaiah 1:18, which says, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'" Mom smiled at the boys. "Now, don't get me wrong--I still can't stand being cold! But thinking of how Jesus loved me so much He died on the cross for my sins and made me clean like freshly fallen snow--well, that changed my perspective. Winter is cold, but the snow is beautiful."

Marcus took a bite of his pizza. "Would you tell me some more about Jesus?" he asked. "My mom and dad don't take me to church, and I really don't know much about Him."

Josh smiled and listened as his parents told Marcus more about Jesus. Winter still isn't my favorite season, he thought, but Mom's right--the snow really is beautiful.

-Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Is winter your favorite season? It might not be, but this year, if you see snow, think of Jesus. The Bible reminds us that Jesus washes away our sins and makes us pure like newly fallen snow. What a beautiful picture--clean and beautiful not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus did for us. Do you know Him as your Savior? If not, trust in Him today. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
Though your sins are like scarlet, I [God] will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. (NLT) (Isaiah 1:18)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus makes us clean

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-16; Ephesians 2:10

It had been a long day. Jillian came home from school and without saying a word went to her room. The kids' laughter and words kept repeating in her mind. They probably didn't think she understood, but she knew what they were saying about her. Though she had only recently moved to the United States, she'd learned English at school in her home country. People thought she was quiet because she didn't speak English or understand what they were saying, but they were wrong.

After a while there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Jillian said quietly.

It was her mom. "Hi, honey. Are you okay? What's the matter?"

"It's nothing, Mom. I just had a long day at school, that's all."

Mom sat down on the bed where Jillian was hugging her pillow. "Fifth grade can be hard, especially when it's in a whole new country. New people, new culture--everything is new."

Across the room hung Jillian's beautiful painting of the beach at sunset. Mom stood up and walked over to it. The painting was full of different shades of orange, red, yellow, blue, and even pink and purple. "What a masterpiece!" said Mom.

"Thanks, Mom. I only painted what I saw…God's creation."

Mom smiled at her. "For we are God's masterpiece." She paused, then said, "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

Jillian furrowed her eyebrows. "Yes, I know those verses, Mom, but what do they have to do with my sunset painting or me right now?"

"If you only had orange paint, would you have been able to create this beautiful sunset painting?" asked Mom.

"No, that wouldn't make it nearly as beautiful," said Jillian, surprised at her mom's question.

"Jillian, that's exactly what God did when He created us. He made us all different and unique and beautiful in our own way, but together we are an even greater masterpiece. Together we create a picture of the love Jesus has for all people. You don't have to be the same as everyone else. Be different. Be you, because you are fearfully and wonderfully made."

-Sara Hanna

How About You?
Have you ever felt different from everyone else around you? Have you gotten teased for being different? Do you feel like you don't fit in? Remember that you are God's masterpiece. God sees you and smiles because He knows just how unique you are and that you are wonderfully made. Jesus loves you so much He gave His life so you could live with Him forever. Remember that He is always with you.

Today's Key Verse:
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago, (NLT) (Ephesians 2:10)

Today's Key Thought:
You are God's masterpiece