Bible Reading: Luke 12:13-21

On the one-hundredth birthday of her town, Evie watched as the mayor unlocked a time capsule on the evening news that had been created and stored a hundred years before. He pulled several papers and mementos out of it and held them up to the camera.

"Can I make a time capsule for our family?" Evie asked when it was over. "I could put family treasures in it!"

"Sure," said Mom. "That would be fun."

Evie found a box and placed some coins and a dollar bill from her desk drawer inside it. Then she packed in a DVD, a sweatshirt, and a storybook. Next she added an old teddy bear, swimming goggles, a beaded necklace, and a picture she had drawn. "Finding things for this box is fun, and there's still room for more," Evie told her mom. "When people in the future see this stuff, they'll get an idea of what we were like."

"I think future family members will find the things you have in there interesting," said Mom.

"But if you want to make a statement about our lives, I think you're missing the most important thing of all."

"A family photo!" said Evie's little brother, Walden. "So they can see what we look like."

"What about a newspaper?" suggested Evie. "That would tell them a lot about the things going on around us."

"Or we could write them a letter!" said Walden.

"Those are all good things to add," said Mom. "But I'm thinking about something that makes life important and worth living, even without any of the other things in the box."

"I know!" said Evie after a moment. "A Bible! And maybe a church bulletin too."

"And we can tell them about Jesus in the letter we write to them!" said Walden.

Mom nodded. "Those are both good ways to show future generations what's really important to us. Any physical items we put in our time capsule will be old and worn by the time our descendants open it. But the hope we have in Jesus, who saved us from sin and gave us eternal life with Him, is treasure that will last forever. Let's add some items to the box that point to the heavenly treasure we value most."

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
What do you treasure the most? Money? Clothes? Toys? Good grades? Those are good things God gave you to enjoy, but they don't last forever or bring meaning to your life. The only treasure that lasts is the gift of eternal life with Jesus. Store your treasure in heaven by trusting Him as your Savior and then sharing His love with others. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)

Today's Key Verse:
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (NLT) (Matthew 6:19 )

Today's Key Thought:
Store your treasure in heaven

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:22-32

Mom had purchased two butterfly kits, one for Millie and one for Logan. They were going to be studying the stages of a butterfly in their homeschool science group.

"Does everyone have a butterfly kit with a caterpillar?" Mrs. Wilson asked. She walked around the room and helped the students get their kits set up. "Now, it will take about three weeks for your caterpillars to turn into butterflies, and we will be observing and taking notes throughout the metamorphosis process."

"What does metamorphosis mean?" Millie asked.

"That's a good question, Millie. It means to change. The caterpillars will be going through several changes or stages before they turn into butterflies. This is called the process of metamorphosis."

After Mrs. Wilson dismissed the class, Millie and Logan talked to their friends while the moms got the lunches together. Everyone was excited--this was definitely going to be a fun science project!

"I can't wait to see my butterfly," Millie said on the way home. "We learned what metamorphosis means today. It means to change."

"That reminds me of what we read about in our devotions yesterday," said Mom.

"You mean about having new life in Jesus?" Logan asked.

Mom nodded. "When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we become new--much like how butterflies go through metamorphosis. Second Corinthians 5:17 says that anyone who belongs to Jesus has become a new person. Our old life is gone, and we are given a new life where we have the freedom to love others the way Jesus does."

"That's really cool. I'll have to tell that to Mrs. Wilson next week," Logan replied.

Over the next three weeks, Millie and Logan watched their caterpillars turn into butterflies. "This is so awesome!" Logan said on the day when all the students had their butterfly kits sitting on the picnic table, ready for release time.

"Okay, class, time to set the butterflies free," Mrs. Wilson announced.

The students released their butterflies into the air.

"Fly, butterfly! Enjoy your new life!" Millie called to hers. Everyone cheered as they watched their butterflies fluttering around.

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Do you know what it means to become a new person? It doesn't mean physically changing like a caterpillar into a butterfly. It means to be freed from the guilt of our sin and given the Holy Spirit, who works in your heart to make you more like Jesus. As you let the Holy Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes, He will help you throw off your old way of thinking and live a new life of love that points to Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT) (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Christians have a new life

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:129-133

"What are you reading?" asked Dr. Trent as he entered the examination room and saw Alisha with an open book on her lap.

"It's the Bible," said Alisha.

"The Bible? Why are you reading that?" Dr. Trent asked. "With all the exciting books out there, I would think you'd find an old book like that pretty boring."

"Oh no," Alisha said. "It's not like that at all. I'm on a Bible quiz team, and our next contest is coming up, so I've been studying whenever I get a chance. I think the stories in the Bible are really interesting." She closed her Bible. "Besides, reading the Bible helps me--well--I don't know." Alisha sighed, frustrated she couldn't express what she was thinking.

"I have something for you," said Dr. Trent. He held up a new pair of glasses.

"Oh good," said Alisha as she removed her old ones. The doctor placed the new glasses on Alisha's face, checking behind her ears to see how they fit. "Wow!" Alisha said, looking around.

Dr. Trent smiled. "You didn't realize how much you were missing with your old glasses, did you?"

"No," said Alisha. "Everything is so much clearer now." As she looked around the room, she glanced at her Bible, and suddenly she had an idea. "That's why I read the Bible, Dr. Trent." The doctor raised his eyebrows. "Reading the Bible is kind of like getting glasses," Alisha explained. "It helps me see things more clearly. Actually, it's even better than glasses because the Bible helps me see things like who God is and how much He loves me--so much that Jesus died for my sins! It shows me how God wants me to live and reminds me that I can always trust Him, no matter what."

"It sounds like the Bible means a lot to you," said Dr. Trent.

Alisha nodded. "It's changed my life." She stood up to leave. "You should read it for yourself--it's better than the best glasses you've ever had!"

Dr. Trent smiled. "Maybe I'll give it a try sometime."

"I hope so," said Alisha. "You might realize how much you've been missing!"

–Bob Hostetler

How About You?
Did you know that the Bible can help you see everything in your life more clearly? Or did you think it was just an old, boring book? The Bible is alive and life-giving. It's God's message to all people, and it tells how Jesus died and rose again to save us from sin and give us eternal life. It shines the light of His truth and promises into our lives. Read it every day to help you focus on Jesus and the joy He brings to your life.

Today's Key Verse:
The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life. (NIV) (John 6:63)

Today's Key Thought:
The Bible makes everything clearer

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-19

"I didn't mean to hurt your oh-so-special skateboard, Grady!" Jared told his brother. "You don't have to get so mad!"

"I told you to leave it alone!" shouted Grady.

"Well, a skateboard is meant to jump and ride rails and stuff," said Jared. "All you do is coast down the street on it. Why don't you try out this ramp I built?"

Just then Dad came out to the garage. "Dad!" said Grady. "Jared scratched up my new skateboard. I told him not to take it on that ramp, but he did anyway, and now it's a mess!"

"I couldn't help it, Grady--I didn't fall on purpose." Jared pointed to his chest. "Besides, look what happened to my shirt when I fell off the board. There are grass stains all over it!"

Dad examined the skateboard. "Grady, why don't you get some of those decals you've been collecting and stick them on your skateboard? They should cover most of these scratches, and then the board will look great! I'll help you with it, okay?" Grady nodded, looking relieved. Then Dad turned to Jared. "Do you want some white paint to put over those stains on your shirt?"

"Paint?" Jared shook his head. "Of course not! These stains will have to be washed out--not covered up."

"I agree," said Dad. "Do you know that the wrong things you do shouldn't be covered up either? You shouldn't have used your brother's skateboard when he told you not to, but instead of accepting responsibility and apologizing for scratching it up, you made excuses. You even complained about what your stunt had done to your shirt. You were trying to cover up the wrong thing you did, weren't you?"

Jared was quiet a moment. "I guess so," he finally admitted. "I'm sorry, Grady."

"When we do wrong, we need to confess our sin to Jesus," said Dad. "And if our wrong has hurt someone else, we need to tell that person we're sorry and ask for forgiveness." Dad patted Jared's shoulder. "We'll do our best with that shirt, but it might never be quite the same again. But when we confess our sin, Jesus is ready and willing to forgive and completely wash it away."

–Lyndel F. Walker

How About You?
When you've done something wrong, do you accept responsibility? Or do you look for someone else to blame? Learn to say, "It's my fault. I'm sorry." Admit it when you've done something wrong, and ask God and others to forgive you. That's far better than making excuses or blaming others for what you've done. Jesus will always forgive you--and if you're truly sorry, others usually will too.

Today's Key Verse:
Scrub away my guilt. Wash me clean from my sin. I know I have done wrong. (ERV) (Psalm 51:2-3)

Today's Key Thought:
Accept responsibility for your actions

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2

Casey was sitting on the edge of the deck, shoving a pointy stick into the muddy spring earth, when Grandpa sat down next to him.

"Hey, buddy. You've been quiet ever since your parents dropped you off to take your little brother to the hospital. Anything you want to talk about?" Grandpa asked.

Casey thrust the stick harder into the ground, sending the sticky mud splattering onto his feet. "It's all my fault. It was my idea to race our bikes down the hill. And I was the one who teased him for not wanting to go faster. He wouldn't have broken his arm if it wasn't for me." Casey leaned into Grandpa's arm and sniffled. "I'm always doing stuff like that--teasing him and trying to get him to do things I know I shouldn't. I--I'm a horrible person!" Casey buried his face in Grandpa's chest and let his tears fall freely.

Grandpa put his arm around Casey's small shoulders. "Casey, I know you feel bad, but that doesn't mean you are bad."

Casey lifted his head and looked at Grandpa. "What do you mean?"

"When we make poor choices, we know it's sin and that we need forgiveness. But we also have to be careful not to allow shame to sneak in and tell us that we're bad. Look at that stick you're holding. It's got mud on it, but it's still a stick, right?"

"Well, yeah. Of course."

"Well, shame tries to convince the stick that it's all mud. But it's not. It just needs someone to clean the mud off."

"So if I'm like the stick, then I just need someone to wash my mud away?" A smile came to Casey's face. "You mean Jesus, right?"

"You got it," said Grandpa. "Jesus took the guilt and shame of our sin on Himself when He died on the cross. He washes us clean and makes us right with God. Because you trust in Jesus, that's who you really are--a child of God whose sins have been washed away. Shame has no place in your life. When you feel bad about something, confess your sin to Jesus and He will forgive you. He died to take your shame off you so you could enjoy a new life with Him."

–Tannis Oliveri

How About You?
Do you feel bad about something you did? Is it sticking to your heart like mud, making you feel dirty? Let Jesus wash the sticky mud of shame off you and remind you who you really are. Once you know Him as your Savior, sin and shame no longer have any claim on you. Confess what you did to Him, knowing He will always forgive you.

Today's Key Verse:
But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus took your shame