Bible Reading: Ezekiel 18:30-32; John 14:1-6

"Oh no!" exclaimed Uncle Dave as he noticed a road sign. "I was so busy talking that I missed the turnoff to the lake--about five miles back. I shouldn't have muted my phone."

Zeke looked at the map on Uncle Dave's phone. "According to this, if we stay on this road, we won't get anywhere near Black Lake." He looked at his uncle. "When you're on the wrong road, the sooner you turn around, the better." As Uncle Dave turned the car around, Zeke said, "All right, fish! Here we come! I hope you're biting today."

Uncle Dave laughed. "I hope they're biting too!" As they headed back in the direction they had come, he added, "I'm looking forward to having you come to church with me again this week."

"I was going to come, but…" Zeke hesitated. "It's just that, well, Mom and Dad don't think it's important to go to church, and I'm not sure I want to get into that religious stuff either."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Uncle Dave. "Last week you said you really liked Pastor Green's message. You even said some of the things he talked about were beginning to make sense to you--like why Jesus had to die to save us from sin."

"Yeah, but…I don't know." Zeke sighed. "I don't really feel like getting into all that Jesus stuff right now. My friends would think I'm crazy. Maybe someday, but for now, well…I know I'm not perfect, but I'm not so bad either."

"The road we were just on wasn't a bad road," said Uncle Dave. "So why didn't we just continue going the way we were?"

"It doesn't go to Black Lake," said Zeke. "We'd never have gotten there."

"That's right. Like you said, when you're on the wrong road, the sooner you turn around, the better. That's true when it comes to life too. The Bible says there's only one way that leads to eternal life, and that's through Jesus. Think about it, buddy. Don't let anybody or anything keep you from turning around when you're going in the wrong direction in life."

Zeke pointed. "There's our turn!" Uncle Dave got on the road toward the lake, and as they drove, Zeke thought about his uncle's words.

-Sherry L. Kuyt

How About You?
Do you need to go in a different direction in life? You do if you haven't trusted Jesus as your Savior. In today's Bible reading, God told Israel to turn away from sin and turn to Him. He wants you to do that too. Don't let habits, the opinions of others, or anything else keep you on the wrong road. Trust in Jesus now! (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (NKJV) (John 14:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Turn to Jesus

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

"I wish I could do something important at our special church service this week," Ranya said with a sigh. "Baylee, Hope, and Leah are singing a trio, Dexter and Aaron are going to play a trumpet duet, Roman's playing the piano, and Elodie's going to read her poem about prayer. Everybody's doing something--except me!"

"I thought you were helping in the nursery," said Mom.

"Oh, I always do that," said Ranya. "I'd like to do something that's really important for once."

Ranya's older brother, Tarek, limped into the room. "How's the toe you hurt yesterday?" asked Mom.

"Much better," said Tarek, sinking into a chair, "but it still hurts." He lifted his foot onto a stool. "I never realized how important a little toe is. I didn't ever think about my little toes until I hurt this one!"

Mom smiled. "Did you look at your little toes this morning, Ranya?" she asked.

Ranya laughed. "I don't think I did. How about you, Mom? Did you?"

"No, but I combed my hair and looked at my face," Mom said. "Did you do that too?"

"Sure," Ranya replied. "What are you getting at?"

"I'm just pointing out that we normally pay more attention to some parts of our bodies--like our hair and faces--than we do to others," said Mom. "Tarek reminded us that even our little toes are important, yet we don't pay much attention to them."

"And?" asked Ranya. "I know you've got some lesson in mind for us."

"Well, it's also like that with Christians," said Mom. "The Bible refers to us as the body of Christ. Together, we share the truth and love of Jesus with the world."

"Oh, I know what you're going to say now," said Ranya. "That my job in the nursery is just as important as the stuff the other kids are doing."

Mom grinned. "It is! But we tend to pay more attention to the people who are up in front and often fail to notice those who work in the nursery, provide coffee and snacks, or clean the church. But Jesus notices them, and He uses their faithful service to bring more people to Him. That's what counts."

"Okay, Mom," said Ranya. "I'll remember that while I hold crying babies!"

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Do you feel like no one notices the things you do for the Lord? Some jobs may seem more exciting or important than others, but the attention and praise of people is not what matters. Jesus sees how faithfully you do the work He has given you at church, school, and home, even when others don't notice. Each task is important in His sight as we work together to show the world who He is.

Today's Key Verse:
Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 12:22)

Today's Key Thought:
You are important and needed

Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39

Cooper slumped down in his chair and pushed apple slices around on his plate. His mom noticed his discouraged look. "You've had a pretty crummy week, haven't you?" she said.

Cooper nodded. In just one week, he had argued with his best friend, gotten detention for disrupting class, and had to sit out soccer practice for starting a fight. Besides the trouble at school, he'd been punished for hitting his sister and lying to his dad.

"I can't stop doing things that are wrong, Mom," Cooper said. "I really want to do what's right, but I always end up doing something bad again. Have you…" Cooper hesitated, then hurried on to ask his question. "Have you ever wondered if God might stop loving you if you kept doing wrong stuff?"

Mom raised her eyebrows. "Is that worrying you?"

Cooper sighed. "Well, I just wonder sometimes. I'm always asking God to forgive something I did, but then I go and do some other bad thing. Seems like--" He stopped as his new puppy ran into the room with one of Cooper's sweatshirts in its mouth. "Oh no!" Cooper exclaimed. He quickly grabbed his dog, but one sleeve was already badly chewed. "Bad dog!" scolded Cooper, taking the shirt away.

"Don't you want to get rid of that puppy, Cooper?" Mom asked. "He's always chewing things, making messes, digging holes! He's so bad. You don't really want to keep him anymore, do you?"

"Of course I do!" said Cooper. "I don't like it when he's bad, but he's only a puppy. I'll teach him to be good. He's mine, and I'm not getting rid of him!"

Mom smiled. "Don't you think God feels the same way about you? He doesn't want to get rid of you; you're His child! Jesus sacrificed His life so you could belong to Him. He's not happy about it when you sin, but He wants to teach you how to do better." Mom scratched the puppy's drooping ears. "Every time you think of how much you care for this little rascal, think of how much more God cares for you! Then remember He is gracious and forgiving and trust Him to help you do what's right."

As Cooper looked at his puppy, his face broke into a bright smile.

-Jessica Van Dessel

How About You?
Have you thought God might stop loving you because you still sin? He won't. You're very precious to God--He sent His own Son to die for you so you could be His child! He won't stop loving you, but He may need to discipline you so you'll learn to do what's right. Confess your sin to Him, and learn from the discipline He gives through parents, teachers, and others in authority. God is patient and forgiving, and He will always love you.

Today's Key Verse:
Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT) (Romans 8:39)

Today's Key Thought:
God always loves you

Bible Reading: Galatians 6:7-10

"Everything looks delicious," said Miguel's dad as the family began to eat. There was a twinkle in his eye as he added, "Please pass the watermelon, Miguel."

Miguel paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. "Watermelon?" he asked, looking around. "What watermelon?"

"Right there in that bowl in front of you," said Dad.

Miguel looked at the bowl heaped full of golden squash. He was about to protest when he suddenly understood. "Oh, uh, sure, Dad. Here's the watermelon." Miguel laughed as he passed the bowl of squash.

"I don't get it," Miguel's sister Celina said with a frown. "That's squash. Why are you calling it watermelon?"

Dad grinned and waited for Miguel to explain, but Miguel got busy eating and pretended not to hear the question. Celina repeated it. "Well…uh…" Miguel began. "I just made a little mistake when we were planting the garden, that's all--but Dad won't let me forget it."

Celina looked at her father. "What did he do?" she asked.

"Miguel wanted to grow watermelons," Dad explained, "and I told him he was using squash seeds. But would he believe me? Oh no! He insisted they were watermelon seeds."

"It was a perfectly understandable mistake," Miguel said. "They look a lot alike."

"Miguel told me if I'd just be patient and wait until they grew, I'd see for myself," continued Dad. "I waited…and here's the finished product." As Dad held up the bowl of squash, Miguel couldn't help but laugh along with everyone else.

"Like the Bible says, you reap what you sow," said Mom. "That sure is true, both in a garden and in life. We all need to make sure we sow the right kind of seeds."

"Especially in our lives," said Dad. "If we live to please ourselves and sow evil deeds, we can expect to reap evil and sorrow. But if we put our faith in Jesus and sow good things that come from His Spirit living inside of us, we can expect to reap joy and blessings."

Mom nodded. "Whatever we plant in life is what we'll get. That's why we must trust in Jesus and depend on Him to produce His love and goodness in us."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
What are you sowing in your life? Are you living to please yourself and sowing things like selfishness, lies, and greed? Or are you trusting God to help you sow good things such as love, kindness, and forgiveness? The Bible tells us we can't produce anything good in our lives without Jesus. Trust Him as your Savior. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.) Then depend on the Holy Spirit to help you sow seeds that will reap joy and blessing.

Today's Key Verse:
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (NIV) (Galatians 6:8)

Today's Key Thought:
You reap what you sow

Bible Reading: Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 4:1-6

"Go, Silas! Go!" yelled Austin, jumping up and down in his enthusiasm. He watched as his teammate tucked the football under his arm, jumped over another player, and sprinted down the field. "All right!" Austin cheered wildly as Silas scored the first touchdown of the game.

At the dinner table that evening, Austin gave his family a blow-by-blow account of the afternoon's game. Over and over they heard the name Silas as Austin described the various plays.

Finally, Austin's sister Kara held up her hand. "I'm sick and tired of hearing about all the wonderful plays Silas made!" she declared. "I thought the two of you didn't even get along that well. But now all you do is sing his praises."

"Well, he may not be my favorite person in the world," Austin admitted. "He's not my best friend or anything, and we don't always see eye-to-eye, but he's on our team. We work together for the same cause. We're both Greenville Cougars!" He paused. "You should have seen him run this afternoon. Peter passed the ball to Silas, and he ran down the field like a bolt of lightning. The other team--"

"Oh no!" Kara groaned and dropped her head into her hands. "Here comes another episode of 'Silas, the Amazing Football Player.'"

Mom laughed. "I'm glad you enjoyed your game so much, Austin," she said. "It's nice that your team won, and it's also nice that you've found something to admire about Silas. We should always look for positive things in others."

"I think Austin has given us a good example of how we should view other Christians," observed Dad. "We may not agree with them on everything, and they don't all have to be our best friends. But we should remember that we're on the same team--God's team. We all know Jesus as our Savior and have received forgiveness for our sins through Him. Together, we're working to tell others about Jesus and share His great love with the world."

"Just like Silas and I are working on the same team to win our football games," said Austin.

"Yes," Dad said, "and like Mom suggested, we can love and appreciate our teammates, even those we're not close with."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Is there a fellow Christian who annoys you? You probably enjoy being with some Christians more than others. But remember that all who know Jesus belong to Him, and that makes you teammates. Jesus loves all of us, and He helps us love each other too. Trust Him to help you love and appreciate the other Christians He's put in your life. Then work together as teammates to serve Jesus and tell others about Him.

Today's Key Verse:
You are all one in Christ Jesus. (NKJV) (Galatians 3:28)

Today's Key Thought:
Christians are your teammates