Bible Reading: Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 25:34-40

Tyler and his dad were enjoying a quick breakfast at the park before Tyler's baseball game. Dad had picked up a couple extra ham biscuits to save for later.

As Tyler was eating, he noticed a man who appeared to be homeless sitting on a bench on the other side of the park. "Dad, do you see the man sitting over there? I wonder if he's hungry. Would it be okay if we offered him a biscuit?"

"I think that would be a nice thing to do," Dad answered, and they walked across the park.

"Good morning!" Tyler said to the man. "My name is Tyler, and this is my dad. We have some extra ham biscuits. Would you like one?"

The man's eyes lit up. "Thank you!" he said, taking a biscuit. "My name is Chris. Would you like to sit down?" Tyler plopped down next to Chris and Dad sat beside Tyler. "Do you have a game today?" Chris asked, noticing Tyler's baseball uniform.

"Yep, the game starts in an hour. Dad and I like to get here early so I can practice."

"What position do you play?" Chris asked.

"Mainly third base."

They sat and talked for a while longer, and just before they left, Tyler asked Chris if he would like him to pray for him.

Chris smiled. "That would be nice."

After they finished praying, Chris looked at Tyler, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Thank you for sharing your food with me, and thank you for spending time with me and praying for me."

Tyler smiled. "I hope we see you again. Come watch the game if you want."

"I just might do that," Chris replied.

As they walked away, Dad said, "That was a really thoughtful thing you did. You know, the Bible says that when we do good to others and share with those in need, we're doing those things for Jesus. They are sacrifices that please Him because they show others the kind of love He showed us when He sacrificed His life to save us. You were the hands and feet of Jesus this morning." Dad smiled. "Come on, we still have time to practice throwing before the game starts."

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Have you ever helped someone in need? It doesn't have to be a stranger. It could be your grandma, your uncle, or an elderly neighbor. When you give your time and anything else you have to help someone in need, you are showing them the love of Jesus. Let His love shine through you so you can be His hands and feet in the world.

Today's Key Verse:
Don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. (NLT) (Hebrews 13:16)

Today's Key Thought:
Share with those in need

Bible Reading: Psalm 5:1-3

Maisie had spent most of the evening texting one friend after another. "Can I text Bree real quick?" she asked when Mom told her to get ready for bed. "I want to see if she's as nervous as I am about tryouts for the play."

Mom shook her head. "You've already texted her tonight--and lots of other friends. It's bedtime."

"Okay, but can I please take two seconds to text Alynn--just to be sure she'll save me a seat on the bus tomorrow?" Maisie begged.

"Bed!" Mom said firmly, holding out her hand for Maisie's tablet.

Maisie sighed and handed her tablet over, then went to get ready. She was crawling into bed when Mom appeared in the doorway. "Want me to turn the light out?" Mom asked. "Have you prayed already?"

"Oh, I forgot!" Maisie sat up. "I really don't have anything to say, except to ask God to take care of everyone, and He already knows that."

Mom sat on the side of Maisie's bed. "If I handed you your tablet and gave you permission to text Bree, would you have anything to say to her?"

"Of course! Can I text her?" asked Maisie eagerly.

"Friends tell each other about their interests and feelings, don't they?" asked Mom. "They share their hopes and dreams and secrets. They talk about what they do for fun and what makes them afraid."

"Yeah!" said Maisie, hoping to get her tablet back. "Friends need time to talk."

"Well, is Jesus your friend?" Mom asked. Maisie nodded. "Then why don't you have anything to tell Him? Don't you think He wants to hear about what's going on in your life too?" She kissed Maisie's forehead. "Think about it," she said, then turned out the light and left.

Maisie did think about it. She knew Mom was right and decided to talk to a friend she hadn't been paying much attention to lately. Dear Jesus, she began. Thank You for loving me and for dying on the cross for my sins. Then she shared some of her fears and dreams with the Lord. When I think of You as my friend, Maisie prayed, I really do have lots of things to say. Thanks for listening and caring. Goodnight.

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Do you wonder what to say to God when you're praying? Think about the things you talk about with your friends. Those are the same things Jesus wants to hear about. He's the best friend you could possibly have, and He wants to be included in every part of your life. Talk to Him often about all the things you would share with a friend.

Today's Key Verse:
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (NKJV) (James 4:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Talk to Jesus

Bible Reading: Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 9:10-13; 2 Timothy 1:7

"Great game, Hailey!" said Mom. "Two goals--that's incredible!"

Hailey kicked off her soccer cleats and sat on the sidelines beside Mom's folding chair. "Sure, I guess."

"What's wrong?" asked Mom. "You did great."

Hailey's eyes filled with tears. "It's Kaylee and Jenna. They said they don't want to be my friends anymore."

"What?" asked Mom. "How come?"

"At halftime they were making fun of Sarah. She's shy, and she's…well, she's not the best player on the team. They called her 'Slow Sarah' when a ball got past her and said she should go play with those little kids." Hailey pointed to another field where some four-year-olds were chasing a ball around.

"Oh, that's terrible!" said Mom.

"They kept looking at me like they expected me to make fun of her too. I said they were being mean, so they called me a goody-goody and said they can't be friends with someone who's no fun. I just said, 'Fine,' and walked away. I didn't know what to do."

Mom hugged Hailey. "I'm proud of you for standing up for Sarah."

Hailey shrugged. "I thought I was doing what Jesus wanted me to do. Why did He let it turn out so badly?"

Mom squeezed Hailey's shoulder. "You're right, Jesus does want you to love people because He loves us, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. The Bible is full of people who were rejected by others when they acted out of faith and obedience to God. Even Jesus was rejected for showing love to people everyone else wanted to stay away from. Through the Holy Spirit, He gives us the courage to love others that way too."

"But now I don't have any friends on the team! Doesn't He care?"

"He cares very much," Mom assured her. "Your courage may have cost you your friendship with Kaylee and Jenna, but Jesus promises to always be with you." Mom pointed toward the field where Sarah was waving at them, a shy smile on her face. "Besides, it looks like you may have made a new friend."

Hailey wiped her eyes and motioned for her teammate to join them.

–Jennifer Dillard

How About You?
Have you experienced rejection for following Jesus's example of love? You are not alone. God's people have often faced hardship and rejection for standing up in faith and doing what's right. Jesus Himself was even rejected for loving sinners like us. He understands how you feel, and He promises to give you courage and strength and help you love others.

Today's Key Verse:
Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people's scorn, nor fear their insults. (NLT) (Isaiah 51:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Stand up for others

Bible Reading: Psalm 12:5-7

"He said he was going to help us." Sammy frowned. "How could Uncle Riley say that and then change his mind? We need help if we're going to move!"

Mom held a finger to her lips. She nodded to the open window. "Look at our babies getting their first meal."

Sammy peeked out the window. In the branch of the tree right outside, there was a nest with baby birds that had just hatched. A big bird was feeding each of the babies with something out of her beak. It was cool to watch.

When the meal was finished, Sammy looked to his mom. "Without money from Uncle Riley, we're going to be stuck here forever."

"I was excited when he said he was going to help," Mom said. "But we can figure things out without him. It will just take a little longer. We're going to be okay."

"How can he make a promise and then change his mind?" Sammy moved to their brown couch and sank down onto it, running his finger along a tear in the fabric. "We were counting on him doing what he said he would do."

"People are like that sometimes," Mom said. "They make promises and then don't keep them."

Sammy crossed his arms. "It's not right."

"No, it's not." Mom looked at him. "You know who isn't like that? God. Every promise He makes, He keeps."

Sammy frowned. "It doesn't always feel like it."

"It might not," Mom said. "But it's true. It's like those baby birds. I heard them chirping when their mom left them this morning. They were probably worried that she wouldn't come back. But she did come back, because she knows they depend on her to feed them and take care of them. Our heavenly Father is much more dependable than a mother bird, and He promises to take care of us."

"What if He doesn't?" Sammy asked.

"He will," Mom said. "The Bible tells us that God keeps His promises. When we were lost in sin, He promised us a Savior, and He fulfilled that promise through Jesus. And Jesus promises that even though life is full of difficulties, He will always be with us and help us. Other people may fail us, but God never will."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Have you ever had someone make a promise to you and then change their mind? How did that make you feel? Do you keep every promise you make? People don't always keep their promises, but God does. He kept His promise to send Jesus to save us, and He promises He's with us through every hardship we face, even when it doesn't seem like it. You can trust Him to keep His promises.

Today's Key Verse:
He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind. (NIV) (1 Samuel 15:29 )

Today's Key Thought:
You can trust God's promises

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:17-24

Preston jumped from seat to seat in the back of the school bus. He joined in with the boys who were pestering other kids and laughed loudly when rude gestures were made at passing cars. After he and the others ignored several warnings, the bus driver pulled over and wrote down their names. Preston felt ashamed--and he felt even worse when he found out his parents would be contacted.

"I heard from your principal today," Mom said when Preston got home. "We'll have to talk about it later. Right now go get your homework done."

Preston was relieved when his behavior wasn't mentioned at dinner. When they finished eating, Dad turned on the news. The screen showed a man who'd been found wandering the streets. He couldn't remember anything about his past--not even his own name. "Authorities believe this man has amnesia," said the reporter. "Anyone with information that may help identify him should notify the police."

"He doesn't know his name?" Preston asked. "That's hard to believe!"

"They think he may have received a very hard blow to his head, or that something shocking happened and the man's brain reacted by blocking everything out," explained Mom.

"Oh, that's so sad!" said Preston's little sister, Mia.

"Can a person really forget who he is?" asked Preston.

"We wondered the same thing after Mom got a call from your principal today," said Dad. "It sounded like you might have been suffering from spiritual amnesia on the bus. You seemed to have forgotten who you were."

"Preston has amnesia?" asked Mia, looking at her brother wide-eyed.

"Well, he seemed to forget that he is a child of God," said Dad. "Preston--just like all Christians--has the Holy Spirit inside him. Because of God's presence in us, we're able to do what is right and show others the love of Jesus. If we forget that and start acting out of selfishness instead of love, it's kind of like we have spiritual amnesia--we've forgotten who we are in Jesus." Dad turned to Preston. "Could anyone on the bus this morning have identified you as belonging to Jesus?"

"I--I guess not," said Preston. "I'm sorry."

His parents smiled at him. "We forgive you," said Dad. "And Jesus will forgive you too."

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Do you remember who you are? If you've trusted Jesus as your Savior, you're a child of God, and He has put His love in your heart and given you His Spirit to guide you in doing what's right. Don't act like you suffer from spiritual amnesia. Remember who you are in Jesus and show His love in all you do so others can identify you as someone who belongs to Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. (NLT) (Ephesians 4:24)

Today's Key Thought:
Remember who you are in Jesus