Bible Reading: Matthew 5:43-48; John 13:34; Romans 5:8

"I know we're supposed to love everyone, but…" Theo paused and stared at the river. He and his brother Colby were having a serious discussion with Dad as they took advantage of a lovely fall afternoon for one last fishing trip before winter. "But to tell you the truth, I don't think I'll ever be able to love Graham," Theo said.

"Me neither!" said Colby. "Why would you even try to love him?"

"As Christians, we're supposed to love people like God does," Theo replied. "But Graham is such a bully! How can we love someone who acts the way he does? It's impossible!"

Dad reeled in his line. "Boys," he said, taking out a small pocketknife, "what do you think will happen if I toss this knife into the water?"

"It will sink like a rock, of course," said Theo, and Colby nodded.

"Don't be so sure," said Dad. "Let's try it. Just watch."

"Dad! Don't throw it in the water," said Theo. "You know it won't float!"

Dad turned to his tackle box. He took out the biggest cork bobber he could find and tied it to his fishing line. He added another above that, and then attached the knife just above the bobbers. The boys watched as Dad threw the whole assembly into the river. It sank beneath the water, but then it reappeared and began to float.

"Oh, I knew the bobbers would float," Theo said. "The knife is just riding along."

"You're right, Theo," replied Dad, reeling it in. "The knife is way too heavy to float alone. It needs the bobbers to carry it along." Dad removed the knife and bobbers from his line. "You said it was impossible for you to love Graham, but it's only impossible if you try to love him on your own. But Jesus doesn't expect you to love Graham on your own. He has filled your heart with His love--the same love He had for each one of us when He died for our sins on the cross. None of us deserve God's love, but He loves us anyway. And He will help us love others." Dad grinned at the boys. "Trust Him to hold you up and carry you along as you demonstrate His love to Graham."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Is it difficult for you to love someone who is mean to you? It may seem impossible at times, but if you know Jesus, you can love the way He does because He has put His love in your heart. Even though we all deserve to be punished for the wrong things we've done, Jesus loved us so much He took that punishment for us on the cross. Trust Him to help you show that same kind of love to others, even when it seems impossible.

Today's Key Verse:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV) (Philippians 4:13)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus helps us love others

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 13:24, 37-38

"Ready to pick corn?" Mr. VanCamp asked Dominic. He motioned to the open cab door on the tall farm machinery.

Excited to ride in a combine, Dominic hurried up the ladder. The homeschool co-op his family joined had arranged a farm field trip two hours away from his inner-city home. On the way, Dominic had watched tall buildings fade into rows of houses that became fewer and fewer until there were more fields than homes. Combines, with tires taller than people, chugged through those fields of dried corn and soybeans, gleaning the grains from the stalks just like they studied in their agriculture lessons.

Mr. VanCamp crawled into the cab behind Dominic. He turned the key and the machinery rumbled to life, then he eased the combine into a nearby field. He pressed a button and the huge front blades rotated and sliced through the dried corn stalks.

"Will this corn be part of someone's Thanksgiving dinner?" Dominic asked.

"Oh no," Mr. VanCamp said. "This field is full of good-quality corn I'm growing for a seed company. I took special care of this crop so other farmers could plant good seed next year."

Dominic looked across the horizon. "It's nice that you help other farmers. I helped with our church's community garden. I loved watching the plants grow, and the veggies tasted yummy." Dominic rubbed his stomach. "I'm going to be a farmer when I grow up and plant good seeds too."

"Farming is a good profession," Mr. VanCamp said, casting a glance at Dominic. "But you don't have to be grown up to plant good seeds. If you're a Christian, you can start planting those seeds now."

Dominic scrunched his face in confusion. "I live in a city and don't own a tractor. How can I plant good seeds?"

Mr. VanCamp smiled wide. "Christians can plant good seeds anywhere and anytime! All we have to do is show others what Jesus is like by being kind, helpful and loving, and tell them about God's gift of salvation. When we plant the seeds of the good news of Jesus, God will use our efforts to bring more people to Him and make His kingdom grow."

"Oh!" exclaimed Dominic. "I can do those things. I'll tell more people about Jesus. I'll start planting His good seeds!"

-Rose Ross Zediker

How About You?
Did you know that everyone who knows Jesus, both kids and adults, can plant the good seeds of God's kingdom? It's easy! Tell others about God's love and forgiveness. Share Bible stories with your friends. Invite people to church. Treat others with kindness. Those good seeds will help God's kingdom grow!

Today's Key Verse:
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (NLT) (1 Corinthians 3:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Plant seeds of God's kingdom

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

"Hey, Owen!" Owen looked up and saw his friend Bennett walking toward him. "Some of us figured out a way to sneak a peek at the words on Friday's spelling test," Bennett said. "You want in on it?"

"Sure!" said Owen, but his conscience started to bother him immediately. He knew it was wrong to cheat. But how can I help it? he wondered. The guys will think I'm a wimp if I don't. I can't back out now.

As Mom was getting dinner ready that evening, the lights suddenly went out. "Oh no!" she exclaimed. "I must have used too many appliances at the same time. Owen, ask your Dad to check the breaker box."

Owen grabbed a flashlight and went to the basement with his father. "How do those things work?" Owen asked as he watched his dad reset the circuit breaker.

"Well, it's a little complicated," said Dad. "From here, wires run through the walls to various switches and electrical outlets. If too many things are turned on at the same time, it requires so much electricity that the wires could get very hot and could even cause a fire."

"Wow! That sounds dangerous," said Owen.

"Yes, but we don't have to worry about it," said Dad. "The circuit breaker here will shut off the flow of electricity when too much is being used." Owen nodded, and they started back up the stairs.

"You know, the circuit breaker reminds me of how God cares for us," said Dad. "He won't allow any temptation into our lives that we can't handle. He's like our breaker box."

"But sometimes we still do what's wrong," observed Owen.

Dad nodded. "Yes, but if we know Jesus, He has shut off the power of sin in our lives, and we don't have to give in to it. When we're tempted to do something wrong, we need to remember that God gives us the strength to resist temptation. We can trust Him to help us do the right thing instead."

So because I know Jesus, sin has no power over me. I don't have to cheat, Owen thought. All right. I'm gonna trust Him. Owen went to his room, got out his list of words, and began to study.

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Do you sometimes feel like you can't help doing something wrong? That the temptation is just too great? It isn't. No matter what the temptation is, if you know Jesus as your Savior, you can overcome it. He has freed you from the power of sin, and that means you can escape every tempting situation. The next time you're tempted to do something wrong, trust Him to help you stand firm and not give in.

Today's Key Verse:
[God] will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out. (NLT) (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Today's Key Thought:
You don't have to sin

Bible Reading: John 3:1-7, 16

"Okay, kids. We'll end with a short game of animal charades." Miss Ellen looked around at her Sunday school class. "Eli, would you like to start? Pretend to be an animal--any kind you want--and we'll see who is first to guess which animal you've chosen. Then that person can pick an animal to imitate."

Eli nodded and dropped to his hands and knees. He walked a few steps on all fours, then rolled over and panted. "You're a dog!" Parker shouted.

"That was an easy one." Eli laughed and got to his feet.

Parker thought for a minute. Then he got down on his stomach and wriggled his way across the floor. "Are you a worm?" someone asked. Parker shook his head. As he crawled along, he rapidly stuck out his tongue several times. "A snake!" called out one of the girls, and it was her turn. After several of the kids had a turn, Miss Ellen announced she would do the final charade.

The kids watched as Miss Ellen began her act. She folded her hands and bowed her head. "You're a praying mantis," said Eli.

Miss Ellen shook her head. "Good guess, but I should have told you that this time I'm human, not an animal." She picked up her Bible and pretended to read. Next, she walked to a chair, sat down, and appeared to be listening to someone. Then she opened and closed her mouth several times. "She's singing," whispered someone, and Miss Ellen nodded.

"Yeah. She's in church," whispered someone else. Again, Miss Ellen nodded.

Then Leah jumped up. "You're pretending to be a Christian!" she exclaimed.

"That's it!" said Miss Ellen. "Now, think about this: Pretending to be something doesn't make it so. You're not a dog unless you're born into the canine family, and you're not a Christian unless you're born into God's family. It doesn't matter if your parents are Christians or if you go to church every week. The only way to be born into God's family is by trusting in Jesus as your Savior. Then the Bible says you will be born again--as a child of God!"

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Have you been born again? You may pretend to be a Christian. You may act the way you think a Christian should act by reading the Bible, going to church, and even praying. But you're not a Christian unless you've been born again into God's family by trusting in Jesus. You need the new spiritual life He offers you. Stop pretending and trust Him as your Savior today! (To learn more, click the "Good News! button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
[Jesus said,] "You must be born again." (NKJV) (John 3:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust in Jesus and be born again

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:5-8

"Dad, can we hike that trail?" asked Anya, pointing to a path a few feet from their campsite. "The sign says it's a thirty-minute walk."

"It's okay with me if mom doesn't mind waiting with Alex for half an hour," said Dad.

Mom laughed. "Go! Alex is sound asleep, and I have a good book to read."

Anya and her dad began their hike, talking as they walked. "Dad, I kinda have a problem with my friend Mika," Anya said. "Sometimes she's really nice and even asks me questions about why I go to church and believe in Jesus. Other times, she acts like she doesn't even know me. She and some other kids laughed when a boy in my class made a joke about me being a Christian the other day. Sometimes I wonder if it does any good to try to tell people about Jesus."

"I know, Anya," said Dad sympathetically. "Just remember that we don't always get to see the results of our efforts. But God promises that the truth of His Word will always accomplish what He wants it to, so don't give up telling others the good news of Jesus."

As they went on, the trail became more difficult. They climbed hills, fought branches, swatted at bugs, and stumbled over rocks. After a while, Anya stopped to rest. "Tired?" asked Dad as he sank down beside her on a fallen log.

Anya nodded. "I didn't realize we'd have to go through so many little hills and valleys on this trail."

"Do you want to quit?" Dad asked.

Anya vehemently shook her head. "No! We're not quitters!"

"You know, Anya, the Christian walk is a little like this trail. Sometimes it seems easy. Other times, there are rough spots to cross. Life has a lot of ups and downs--hills and valleys, you might say. We sometimes get weary and discouraged as we walk through life with Jesus, and it can be very tempting to stop and give up. But the Bible tells us to run with endurance, knowing Jesus is with us and will help us finish the course."

With a grin, Anya scrambled to her feet. "Don't worry, Dad--I'm not going to give up being a Christian or quit this hike. Let's go!"

-Vicki L. Reinhardt

How About You?
Do you ever grow weary or get discouraged in your Christian walk? Have you experienced disappointments? Have you been mocked because of your beliefs? Have you wondered if your efforts to serve God are accomplishing anything? Remember that your Christian walk will have both highs and lows. Don't give up! Keep on going, knowing Jesus is with you, giving you strength. Trust Him to help you finish the course and use your example to accomplish His purpose.

Today's Key Verse:
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (NKJV) (Hebrews 12:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't give up