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

Bible Reading: James 1:16-17

"Aiden is so lucky!" Caleb told his dad after spending the night at a friend's house. "He has a room all to himself, and you should see all the stuff he has in there!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," said Dad, "but now you need to do your chores."

"Okay," said Caleb. "But can Aiden come over later?"

"Sure," said Dad.

When Aiden pedaled his bike up the driveway a couple hours later, Caleb and his dad were in the garage. "Mr. Davis, did you know your horse jumped the fence and is in your neighbor's field?" asked Aiden.

"Not again!" Caleb and his dad said at the same time.

It didn't take long to catch Dolly, who was very tame. "She's a good horse," Caleb told Aiden when Dolly was back where she belonged. "But she sure does like to jump that fence!"

"That she does," said Dad. He grinned at the boys. "Hey, would the two of you like to go fishing with me this afternoon? Your dad is welcome to join us too, Aiden."

"Yeah!" said Caleb. "Let's go ask your dad if he wants to come."

Aiden shook his head. "My dad's out of town right now. He has to travel a lot for his new job. You're so lucky to have a dad who can take you places, Caleb."

"You know, boys," said Caleb's dad, "you both used the word lucky today, but there's no such thing as luck. We should be thankful to God for what we have instead of wishing for what others have. God's plan is so much better than what we think we need. Like Dolly, we sometimes think things are better on the other side of the fence."

"Yeah." Aiden grinned. "I wouldn't trade my dad for anybody else--no offense, Mr. Davis."

Caleb and his dad laughed. "I wouldn't trade either," said Caleb.

Dad smiled. "God has given us all so much. He gave us His own Son, Jesus, so we could be His children, and He fills our lives with good things--luck has nothing to do with it. Instead of wishing for what others have, let's thank Him for the many blessings He gives us each day."

-Vera M. Hutchcroft

How About You?
Do you think you're lucky? Think of all the special things in your life that you love and enjoy, including the people who care about you. You are not lucky to have them; you are blessed by God, who even gave His own Son so you could live with Him forever as His child. God has a purpose for your life that has nothing to do with luck. So don't be jealous of what others have. Be thankful for all the blessings He has given you.

Today's Key Verse:
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. (CSB) (James 1:17)

Today's Key Thought:
God, not luck, directs lives

Bible Reading: Romans 8:18-23, 28-30

"I'm sick of watching Lucas!" Olivia couldn't believe her mom had asked her to stay home again.

Olivia's mom looked up from her computer. "I'm sorry, but I need to get this report done."

Olivia charged out the back door, letting it slam. Lucas sat on the porch swing, twisting a pine needle between his thumb and forefinger. He was always playing with pine needles. It was his "thing."

Olivia sat at the porch table. "I could've been swimming at Hannah's house," she grumbled. "Instead, I have to watch Lucas again!"

Olivia got busy with a game on her tablet, but a few minutes later, she heard Lucas scream. She looked up and saw him pulling his hair with one fist and hitting his head with the other.

Olivia called into the house and Mom rushed out. She ran to Lucas and began to soothe him. After some time, Lucas calmed down, and Olivia's mom helped him into the house. Before he went inside, Lucas grabbed another pine needle off the grass.

Olivia clenched her fists. "I hate it when he has a meltdown!"

"He's frustrated," said Mom. "Lucas isn't able to use words to tell us what he needs."

"Why doesn't God do something?" Olivia asked. "I pray every day for God to help Lucas feel better!"

"I don't know, Olivia," said Mom. "But I do know God is good and that He is with us. Jesus loved us enough to die a terrible death so we could have eternal life with Him, and He promises to end suffering and heal our broken world one day. Because of Him, the troubles we face in life won't get the last word. We can trust Him, even though we don't have all the answers."

Later, Olivia and Lucas walked into the living room to watch a show together. Olivia even brought her brother an oatmeal cookie, his favorite.

Lucas chewed the cookie while twirling his pine needle. As Olivia watched the pine needle dance between Lucas's fingers, she prayed a silent prayer. God, thank You for making Lucas my brother, even if he is different. Please keep him safe. And thank You for loving him--and me--so much.

-Bonnie Carr

How About You?
How do you feel when you or someone you love is suffering? Have you brought those feelings to Jesus? He is with you no matter what you are facing, and He is working all things for His good purposes. As Christians, we can find comfort knowing God is good and that He loves us very much. We can trust His promise to make all things new--free from sin, suffering, and death.

Today's Key Verse:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT) (Romans 8:28)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus will end suffering

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 5:8

"Hi, Mom. Can we have a cookie?" asked Eloise, and Mom nodded. "There was a new girl at school today," Eloise said as she and her brother Jacob grabbed a chocolate chip cookie from a package in the cupboard. "You should see her. She is so short!"

"Yeah. She looks like she belongs in kindergarten," said Jacob. "Maybe she's an alien from outer space." Both kids erupted into giggles.

Mom looked at them sternly. Before she could say anything, Eloise took a picture out of her backpack. "Look what I drew for art," she said, quickly changing the subject to avoid the lecture she knew Mom was about to give. "My teacher said it's really good."

Jacob munched on his cookie as he studied the drawing of a farmyard. He grinned. "Look at this pig." He pointed and laughed. "The legs are too short for its body and its ears are too long. And look at that horse!" Jacob laughed louder. "He's even worse than the pig. His face looks more like a cow's!"

"Mooom," whined Eloise. "Jacob's making fun of me!"

"I'm not making fun of you," Jacob said, seeing Mom's frown. "I'm just making fun of this picture--not you!"

"I drew the picture, so you're making fun of me too!" Eloise cried, grabbing the picture back.

"Eloise is right," Mom said. "If you make fun of a picture, you're making fun of who created it."

"Sorry," Jacob mumbled. "I was just teasing."

Mom paused for a moment. "Here's something for both of you to think about. If you make fun of people--like the new girl at school--because of the way they were created, who are you making fun of?"

Both Eloise and Jacob looked startled. "God, I guess," Jacob replied.

"Exactly. Every person is created by God and is special," said Mom. "Every person is loved by Him--loved so much that Jesus died on the cross for them. Never make fun of other kids because of the way God made them. Remember how you'd feel if someone made fun of something you made."

Eloise looked at her picture again. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll remember."

"Yeah," Jacob agreed. "Me too."

-A. W. Smith

How About You?
Have you ever made fun of other kids because of their looks? God made every person in the world, and each one is unique and special. Jesus loves each one of us so much He died on the cross so we could live with Him forever. If you make fun of the way someone looks, you're not just hurting them, you're making fun of how God created that person. Remember God created and loves each person and treat all people with respect.

Today's Key Verse:
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV) (Psalm 139:14 )

Today's Key Thought:
Every person is special

Bible Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3; Hebrews 1:8-9

"Dad, can I use your oil can to get rid of the squeak in the cupboard doors?" Jayden asked. "Mom said I could oil the hinges. If they don't get oiled soon, the squeaking is going to drive her crazy."

Dad laughed as he took the oil can from the workbench and handed it to Jayden. "Then by all means, take it away!" he said.

When Jayden returned the oil can some time later, Dad was still at his workbench. "I oiled the hinges all over the house," Jayden said. "I told Mom that if she hears any squeaks now, she'll know we have mice. She says that would really drive her crazy." They both laughed, and then Jayden went out to play basketball with his friends.

At dinner that evening, Jayden shared the neighborhood news. "Troy and Kai are mad at each other again," he said. "And did you know that Mrs. Gentry broke her arm? She fell down her front steps." Jayden helped himself to a piece of ham. "And Mr. Gomez stood at his window for half an hour and watched us play basketball. I guess he doesn't have anything better to do." Jayden nibbled his salad.

"It sounds like the people in our neighborhood could use some oil," Dad observed.

"Oil?" asked Jayden. "What do you mean?"

"The Bible says Jesus gives the 'oil of joy' to those who trust in Him, and it sounds like some of our neighbors could use a little joy in their lives," Dad replied. "I think it would be nice if you spread some oil of joy around the neighborhood."

"Yeah?" Jayden scratched his head. "I know one thing I can do. I can offer to rake leaves for Mrs. Gentry. I don't know what I can do about Troy and Kai though--but I'll think of something!" Jayden eyed the dessert on the counter. "Can I take a piece of pie to Mr. Gomez?" he asked. Then he grinned. "And I better take an extra piece so I can sit down and eat with him!"

Dad nodded. "Those all sound like good ways to spread the joy of Jesus and remind others of His love for them."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Are you spreading joy? The Bible says Jesus was anointed with the "oil of joy." If you belong to Him, you can have that same joy in your heart too. Will you share it with others? Offer a kind word to help someone feel better. Take a few minutes to chat with a neighbor who lives alone. Lend a helping hand to take the hardship out of somebody's day. Let the joy you have in Jesus point people to Him.

Today's Key Verse:
I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope. (NLV) (Isaiah 61:3)

Today's Key Thought:
Spread joy