Bible Reading: John 15:12-15; Romans 5:6-8

Ethan was so excited. He and his dad were at a basketball game, and Ethan hoped to get close enough to his hero--Jordan Williams--to speak with him. In Ethan's mind, Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time. Ethan knew all the stats about Jordan. He hadn't missed a single televised game. He had sent Jordan scores of messages on his website, but he hadn't received a reply…yet. Jordan is a very busy guy, Ethan told himself. I'm sure he'll answer me after the season is over.

"Dad, can I go stand over there?" asked Ethan, pointing to a group of people standing close to the place where the players would enter. Dad nodded, and Ethan not only joined the group, but squeezed to the front of the crowd. Suddenly, they cheered as the team ran out. One by one the players ran by, waving.

Jordan is going to run right past here, Ethan realized. "Jordan!" he called. "Hey, Jordan! It's me, Ethan!" Ethan thrust his hand up for a high five, but Jordan ran past, not even noticing him. "He ran right by! He didn't even look at me!" exclaimed Ethan, feeling crushed.

A teenager standing behind him snorted. "What did you expect, kid? He's a celebrity. He doesn't know you." The teenager continued to chuckle as Ethan slowly walked back to his dad.

"Hey, buddy, what's wrong?" Dad asked. "You did see your hero run by, didn't you?"

"Yeah," said Ethan. "But even after all the messages I sent, he doesn't know who I am."

"Well, he's only human," said Dad. "He can't possibly know all his fans, even though they feel like they know him. But if he did know you, I'm sure he'd want to be your friend." He patted Ethan's shoulder. "That's the trouble with human heroes."

"What other kind is there?" Ethan asked, looking sad.

"There's Jesus!" replied Dad. "He's the greatest hero and the best friend anyone could ever have. And He knows you, buddy! He knows everything about you--and the best part of all is that He loves you. He loves you so much He became human and died on the cross to save you. He's the hero who will never let you down because He's not only human--He's also God."

-Beverly J. Porter

How About You?
Who do you admire? Do you think talent or lots of money or a big online following make a person great? The world is full of all sorts of heroes and celebrities, but there is only one person who is truly worthy of your praise--Jesus. He cares about you, and He died and rose again so you could live with Him forever! He is a true hero and a true friend.

Today's Key Verse:
No one can have greater love than to give his life for his friends. (NLV) (John 15:13)

Today's Key Thought:
Make Jesus your hero

Bible Reading: James 4:6-10

As Avi came into the kitchen, he spied a plate with an assortment of candies on the counter. Oh! That candy looks so good! He glanced at the clock. He wasn't allowed to have snacks this close to dinnertime, but Mom had gone upstairs. Avi walked closer and looked at the candy again. Then he reached out and picked up a piece. This one's green. I wonder if it's mint. He smelled it, then broke off a tiny corner and tasted it. It was as good as it looked. Soon the whole thing was gone.

I've gotta try a little piece of fudge too, Avi decided. It was delicious, and when that was gone, Avi tried some peanut brittle. Before he knew it, he had eaten a few more pieces of candy. He moved the remaining ones around a little so the plate wouldn't look quite so empty. Then he went to his room.

When Avi came to the dinner table a short time later, he glanced at the kitchen counter. The candy plate wasn't in sight, but after everyone had eaten, Mom said, "Wait till you see what our neighbors gave us." She went to the kitchen and brought back the plate of candies. "Mrs. Jeong made these," said Mom. "I thought this plate was fuller, but isn't it lovely? Let's have some for dessert."

Avi tried to ooh and aah with the rest of the family, but he felt so guilty--and full! When the plate came to him, tears filled Avi's eyes. "I can't eat any more," he said, and the story spilled out. "I'm sorry," Avi said when he finished. "I didn't mean to. I was only going to look at it."

Mom nodded. "Avi, do you see how you gave in to temptation little by little--how looking led to handling and smelling and tasting and eating? That's how Satan works. He gets you to give in just a little at a time so it doesn't seem so bad. He does that with other things that tempt us too--not just with candy. We need to resist Satan, and the best way to do that is to remember we belong to Jesus, who has freed us from sin and given us the power to say no to temptation, and refuse to take even one small peek."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Are there things you're tempted to do that don't seem all that bad? Like watch just the beginning of a movie your parents told you not to watch? Or take just a peek at suggestive pictures on the Internet? Be very careful! Satan wants you to try just a little. He knows you might try a little more the next time. But if you know Jesus, Satan has no power over you, and you can resist him. Say no to sin right from the start.

Today's Key Verse:
Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJV) (James 4:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Resist temptation

Bible Reading: Romans 1:15-16

Rodrigo stood in his front yard, tossing a baseball into the air. He grinned as his friend pulled up on his bike. "Hey, Damon!"

"Hey!" Damon stopped and kicked the bike stand into place. He handed Rodrigo a small present. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks!" Rodrigo grinned. "I also got this new mitt from my grandparents. No balls are going to get away from me now!"

"Cool," said Damon. "I could really use a mitt like that."

"And my brother gave me this baseball, and Mom and Dad gave me a scooter."

"Wow!" Damon flopped down on the lawn. "I could use all those things."

Rodrigo laughed. "Sorry, but your birthday isn't for another six months! But I'll share the gifts I got with you." Suddenly, he remembered he had never shared with his friend about another gift he'd recently received--the gift of eternal life. I should tell Damon about that, he thought. It's a gift he can have too.

Rodrigo took a deep breath and sat down on the grass next to Damon. "I got another gift I really want to share with you." He paused and said a silent prayer asking God to help him say what he needed to. "It's a gift from God."

Damon gave him a questioning look. "What kind of gift?"

"A few months ago, Riley invited me to come to vacation Bible school at his church. The teacher there explained how Jesus, God's Son, died to take the punishment for our wrongs and then rose from the dead. If we trust in Him, He gives us the gift of eternal life. I decided to accept that gift, and…" Rodrigo paused. "I just wanted you to know you can have it too. It's way better than any other gift you could ever get! I go to Riley's church every week now, and you can come with me sometime to learn more about Jesus if you want to."

Damon picked at the blades of grass at his feet. "Maybe I will. I've heard of Jesus, but I don't really know much about Him." He nodded at the unopened present Rodrigo was still holding. "Well, what are you waiting for? Open your gift!"

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Have you received God's gift of eternal life through Jesus? If you know Jesus as your Savior, He's given you that gift. He's forgiven you for the wrong things you've done and promises you'll never be separated from Him, not even by death. Have you shared that gift with your friends? Eternal life with Jesus is a wonderful gift they can have too. Don't be afraid to share what Jesus has done for you.

Today's Key Verse:
When people sin, they earn what sin pays--death. But God gives his people a free gift--eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ERV) (Romans 6:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Share the gift of Jesus

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:18-19; James 1:17

The music stopped, and Ellie frantically tried to sit down on the chair she had just passed. She was too late, and she laughed with the other kids when she saw she was out of the musical chairs game. Wearing brightly colored paper hats, the kids were having a great time at their Bible club party.

"Okay, kids. We have just one more game--a treasure hunt," announced Mrs. Weston. "There will be a prize for the first one to find a silver star."

The kids ran all around the yard, looking for the star. They scanned the trees, poked around the flowerbeds, hunted in bushes, and searched the lawn. There was no star anywhere. Suddenly, Anna squealed in delight. "Oh, I see it! I see the star!"

Ellie glanced at Anna, who seemed to be looking over her head. As she turned around to see what it might be, Paul ran up from behind her. "I see it too," he said.

One by one, the kids declared they saw the star…all except Ellie. "Why can't I see it?" she wondered out loud.

With a laugh, Anna reached up and took the paper hat that had been perched on Ellie's head. There on the bright blue hat was a small silver star.

Mrs. Weston came over with two wrapped packages. "Anna gets a prize for finding the star first," she said. "And to be fair, Ellie, this prize is for you since you couldn't see the star on your own head. And now, kids, it's time for a short devotional before you head home."

Mrs. Weston directed them to all sit down on the patio. "Ellie had the treasure and didn't even know it," she said, "and we're all like that sometimes. We fail to see the treasures Jesus gives us. Let's see how many we can name."

The kids took turns mentioning people or things they enjoyed, and Mrs. Weston nodded in agreement. "Those are all treasures from Jesus, and let's not forget the greatest treasure of all--the sacrifice He made so we could have eternal life with Him. Let's ask Him to open our eyes each day to see and appreciate the blessings He's given us."

-Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
Do you have treasures you have failed to see? Perhaps it's a family member, a friend, or a teacher God has placed in your life. Maybe it's your home, clothes, food, or the ability to do something well. What about God's greatest blessing of all--the gift of His Son, Jesus? Don't miss all the treasures He has given you. Ask Him to help you see them, then thank Him for them and enjoy them.

Today's Key Verse:
[God] richly provides us with all things to enjoy. (CSB) (1 Timothy 6:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Enjoy God's blessings

Bible Reading: James 5:13-15

Gavin walked to the end of the dock and sat down. He let his bare feet touch the water and stared off into the distance.

"Whatcha doing?" Dad asked, sitting down next to Gavin.

"Just thinking about things." Gavin swirled his feet around in the water.

"Anything you want to talk about?" asked Dad.

Gavin was silent for a moment. "You know my friend Aiden who came over last week?"

Dad nodded. Gavin gently kicked at the water, causing it to splash slightly. "Aiden just found out he has cancer."

"I am so sorry to hear that," Dad said. "We will have to add Aiden to our prayer list."

Gavin pulled his feet out of the water and hugged his legs to his chest. "Dad, if God loves us, why does He allow bad things to happen? Why should we even pray for Aiden if God allowed him to be sick?"

Dad was silent for a moment before he spoke. "God loves each of us very much, but that doesn't mean we won't face problems. It just means we won't face them alone. Our world is broken by sin, but Jesus is with us."

Dad paused and looked out over the lake. "Do you see those two people fishing out there in that rowboat?" Gavin nodded. "That boat is like Jesus," Dad said. "Those two fishers are still going to experience things of nature--wind, rain, and everything else. But as long as their boat is intact, they won't sink, no matter what happens. It's the same with us. We all face problems in life, but because our faith is in Jesus, we are never alone, and we will always have hope because He has promised us eternal life with Him. Jesus's love is like an unsinkable boat. He holds us even in sickness and death."

Gavin sighed. "I just feel so bad for Aiden."

Dad nodded. "I know it's hard to see Aiden go through this, but you can help him by praying for him and reminding him that Jesus loves him and knows what he's going through. Talk with Jesus about it, and trust Him to help you be there for Aiden."

For a few moments, Gavin silently watched the rowboat. Then he asked, "Dad, can we pray for Aiden now?"

-Melissa Yeagle

How About You?
Do you pray for friends and loved ones who are sick? Are you going through a hard time yourself? As Christians, we can take our concerns to Jesus. His love for us is like a boat that can never sink. Though we live in a broken world, we have hope because Jesus has rescued us from sin and death and is working to make all things new. In the meantime, we can pray, knowing He is always by our side and comforts those who are hurting.

Today's Key Verse:
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life…shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) (Romans 8:38-39)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus's love will never fail