Bible Reading: Psalm 19:1-4; Isaiah 40:26

"Wow, look at all the stars, Cory!" Sam exclaimed, pointing up at the sky. "It's the perfect night for stargazing."

"I've never seen so many stars before," Cory said. "The city lights from street lamps and buildings block out most of the stars where I live."

"I'm so glad you came to my house for the weekend, but I wish you could stay longer," Sam said. "There's no way we'll be able to do everything we planned. It feels like so long since we saw each other!" Cory had moved to Toronto a few months before, and this was the first time he had been able to see his friend again.

"What's it like living in a big city?" asked Sam. "You must have tons of new friends now. There are so many people!"

"Not really," Cory replied. "You can feel just as lonely when you're in a crowd in the city. I made some friends at my new church and school, but I still miss my friends here."

"I know how you feel," Sam said. "I'll miss you again at school on Monday." Sam sighed. "The universe is so big. I know the Bible says God is always with us, but it doesn't feel like it. I still get lonely."

Cory thought for a moment. Then he said, "Well, even when I feel lonely in our new house, I know I'm not alone. I guess it's kind of like the stars."

"How?" asked Sam.

"Even when we can't see the stars, like when it's daytime, or there are too many lights in the city, we know the stars are still there," Cory explained. "And even when we don't feel like Jesus is with us, He still is, because He promises He will always be with us."

Sam nodded. "I think I understand."

Cory went on. "The Bible says God created everything--the stars and us too. And even though there are billions of stars and billions of people, there's a verse that says God knows the number of stars in the sky and knows them each by name. And we're even more important to Him than stars--Jesus died for us! He cares for us and doesn't forget about us."

"Thanks, Cory." Sam smiled. "I'll remember that at school on Monday."

-Abby Ciona

How About You?
Do you ever feel lonely? Even though there are billions of people in the world, God knows you by name. He loves us all so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to save us from sin, and He promises to always be with those who trust in Him. If you know Jesus, He is with you, even when it doesn't feel like it. You are important to Him.

Today's Key Verse:
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. (NIV) (Psalm 147:4)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is always with you

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:23-24; Romans 12:17-19; Colossians 3:13

Alayna placed two fluffy pillows on a chair and turned to survey her bedroom.

"It was so much fun fixing up this room!" she said. "The curtains and quilt we made are so pretty, and they look so good with the new paint. Even my old furniture looks nice since we refinished it. I'm glad we decided to save money by doing it ourselves instead of buying all new stuff."

"Do-it-yourself jobs are hard work, but it's so satisfying to see what you've accomplished, isn't it?" said Mom as she looked around the room. "Why don't you call Victoria and invite her to come over? I'm sure she'd enjoy seeing your room."

"She wouldn't come," said Alayna. "We're not speaking to each other."

"You aren't?" Mom raised her eyebrows. "What happened?"

"She got mad because I didn't sit with her at lunch yesterday. I would have, but Lily asked me to eat with her. Victoria said that was mean of me, and now she won't talk to me!" Tears filled Alayna's eyes. "I even prayed about it. I asked God to make her apologize to me, but she hasn't."

"Maybe God wants you to apologize to Victoria," Mom said.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Alayna exclaimed.

"Are you sure? Why didn't you ask Victoria to join you and Lily? She probably thought you didn't want to eat with her, and that hurt her feelings." Mom paused. "We often want God to take care of our problems when there's something He expects us to do for ourselves. One thing He wants us to do is to go to the person we have a problem with and try to work it out--even if it's not our fault."

"But it's so hard to do!" said Alayna.

"I know," said Mom. "Settling differences with someone is a hard do-it-yourself job, but the results are worth the effort. And you won't really be doing it by yourself--Jesus will be with you. Remember that He has love and compassion for both you and Victoria as you try to see things from her perspective."

"Okay. I'll talk to her," Alayna said.

A little later, Victoria came over to see Alayna's room. Mom smiled when she heard Alayna say, "Do-it-yourself jobs are hard, but they're worth it."

-Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?
Are you not getting along with someone? God says you should go to that person--even if the problem isn't your fault--and do what you can to renew your friendship. Go humbly, recognizing that fault often lies on both sides. Be willing to apologize for your part in the disagreement. Remember that Jesus loves that person, just like He loves you, and try to see things from their angle. It's not easy, but it's worth the effort.

Today's Key Verse:
If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. (NIV) (Matthew 18:15)

Today's Key Thought:
Do your part to settle differences

Bible Reading: Romans 3:22-26

Michael bolted out of the car and ran to the dock. His special day was finally here! Mom had secretly saved some money for a special treat: a water tour of the spectacular rock formations on the coast near their hometown.

When they were finally out on the water, Michael couldn't stop looking at all the colors of the cliffs, but the pilot couldn't stop watching the dark clouds on the horizon. "I know we haven't seen the full tour yet, but I don't like the look of the weather," he told the passengers. "We're heading back. Please make sure your life vests are on securely."

Shocked, Michael finally tore his eyes off the cliffs. The waves piled up bigger and bigger, and a fierce wind plucked at the edges of his jacket. They were still a long way from the dock when suddenly a huge wave tipped their boat over!

"Mom! Mom, where are you?" Michael spluttered frantically, trying to clear his eyes in the water. He suddenly felt a strong arm across his chest, and he was scooped up out of the ocean.

"Kid, are you okay? Can you breathe? Talk to me!" a woman's voice said urgently.

Michael blinked the seawater away and saw his mom and another woman in a blue uniform. They were rescued!

As she checked Michael for injuries, the woman said, "We saw a storm come up on radar, and the schedule showed that your tour would be too far away to get to safety before the storm arrived, so we were dispatched to come find you."

Michael couldn't believe how God had taken care of them. They had no idea they would even be in trouble, but He had worked to save them even then!

Later, Mom and Michael talked about their day. Michael asked, "That's what Jesus did for us, right? Long ago, before anyone knew we needed to be saved from our sins, He already had a plan to take care of us on the cross."

"You're right, and there was nothing we could do to save ourselves then, just like we couldn't save ourselves in the water. We needed Jesus to save us both of those times," Mom replied.

Despite the scary day, Michael smiled knowing that Jesus had saved him twice.

-Nicole Kraayenbrink

How About You?
Did you know you need to be saved from sin--the bad things you've done? God loves you, and so He came up with a plan to rescue you. Jesus took the punishment for your sins Himself by dying on the cross. When He rose again three days later, He showed He is more powerful than sin and death, and He's powerful enough to rescue you. Trust Him to save you. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV) (Romans 3:23-24)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust Jesus to save you

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:24-27

"I don't want you to move out," Jenna said with a cry as she gave her big sister another hug. "This is my last year of elementary school. How can I face it without you here?"

Melanie eased back and knelt down on the driveway. She wiped a tear away from Jenna's eyes and took her sister's hands in hers. "Jenna, you knew this was coming. I can't stay at home forever."

"Why not? You don't have to move away to college, do you? Too much is changing." Jenna couldn't hold back another sob from slipping out.

Melanie thought a moment, and then she reached into the nearby grass, took a large stone, and dropped it into her little sister's hand. "Here. After I leave, I want you to display this on your dresser."

"What? Why?"

"Remember when that tornado came through here? It wasn't a big one, but it was still powerful enough to rip apart buildings that weren't strong enough to handle the winds. But buildings that were built on a strong foundation stood firm and didn't get swept away."

"What does this stone have to do with the tornado?" Jenna looked down curiously at the rock.

"I want it to serve as your reminder. Life will always bring new winds of change. But as long as we remain firm on the foundation of our faith in Jesus, those tornadoes of change may rattle us, but they don't have the power to sweep away our place of refuge in Him. He's our Rock."

Jenna's bottom lip quivered. "But I'm still going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too. But let Jesus be the source of your security, okay?"

Jenna nodded as a powerful breeze toyed with her ponytail. She clasped the stone in her hand. "Jesus isn't going to leave me too, is He?"

Melanie smoothed a hand over her sister's hair. "Of course not. He will never abandon those who trust in Him. He will always be with you and give you the rock-solid stability you need to stay steadfast during winds of change. I promise."

"In that case, I'm going to trust Him for as long as I live." Jenna grinned and gave her sister one last hug.

-Tessa Emily Hall

How About You?
What kind of changes have you experienced as you've grown older? Maybe you've started a new school or, like Jenna, have had a sibling move out. Life will always present new changes, but if you know Jesus as your Savior, He is your rock-solid foundation that will never change. Your eternal security is in Him, and you can trust Him to be with you through all of life's changes.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (NKJV) (Psalm 18:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is our rock-solid foundation