Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Skye sat on her front porch step. The sun shone from a clear blue sky, but deep inside, Skye felt as if a dark cloud hovered overhead. She looked down at Rags, her new brown puppy. She picked him up and hugged him.

Just then Dad, who served in the military, got home. "What's wrong, pumpkin?" he asked as he sat down beside her. "You look as if you don't have one friend in the whole wide world."

"I--I just wonder what's going to happen," said Skye. "What if…" She hesitated. "Sometimes I almost wish you weren't in the Army. What if you get transferred overseas? I'd be so lonely if you were so far away."

"I understand how you feel--I'd be lonely then too," said Dad. "But remember how we prayed and talked about how God cares for us, no matter where we are?" Skye nodded, and Dad gave her a hug. "No matter where I might be sent, Jesus is with me, and He's with you and Mom and the rest of the kids too. He died and rose again to give us eternal life, and we can trust Him to be with us and take care of us, no matter what happens."

Skye sighed. "I know."

Dad looked at the little dog resting peacefully in Skye's lap. "Think about Rags for a minute," he said. "Do you remember how lonely he was the first few days you had him?"

Skye nodded. "He cried for his mother a lot, especially at night when there was nobody to pay attention to him." She buried her face in the puppy's furry neck.

"But you gave him so much love that he learned to depend on you, and he's happy to be with us now." Dad reached out to pet the little dog. "If you care so much for your puppy, don't you think the Lord cares even more for us?" Sighing, Skye nodded. "And just like Rags trusts you to take care of him, we can trust God to do the same for us," added Dad. "We may not always like everything that happens, but we can trust Jesus to be with us and give us the strength we need to carry on."

–Marilyn J. Senterfitt

How About You?
Has something happened in your life that's made you feel lonely? Today's Bible reading was written by Paul, and it tells about a time when he was put in prison. He says no one stayed with him or helped him--everybody left him alone. But God didn't leave him! God stayed with him and gave him strength, and He'll do the same for you too. Jesus loves you so much He gave His life to save you, and He will never leave you alone.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord stood with me and strengthened me. (NKJV) (2 Timothy 4:17)

Today's Key Thought:
God is always with you

Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39

"I miss Buster!" wailed eight-year-old Xander when the family's loyal dog died. "He was a hero! Remember when Finn got lost and Buster found him playing in the woods? And the time I got really sick and Buster stayed in my room every day until I got better?" Xander wiped his eyes. "I wish he was still here with us."

"I wish we could have kept Buster longer too," Mom said sadly. "But he was very old, and his body just wore out. Let's try to be thankful for all the years we did have him."

"But--" Xander had just begun to ask another hard question when his four-year-old brother burst into the room.

"Vroooom!" shouted Finn as he zoomed in a circle and then stopped in front of Mom and Xander. He was wearing a yellow and blue shirt that had the name of his school on the front--except that where the school's emblem should have been, there was only a jumbled mass of colored threads.

Xander was not happy about the interruption. "Your shirt's inside out, Finn," he snapped.

"Yes, it is, but look closer, Xander," said Mom. "Maybe Finn's shirt can help answer your questions about Buster. These knots and loose threads here on the inside of the shirt are similar to how life's difficulties look to us. When someone we love dies, or when something bad happens, life can look like an ugly mess."

Mom helped Finn turn the shirt right side out so the school emblem was visible. "The same threads that looked so bad a moment ago make this side beautiful," she continued. "God does the same thing in our lives. None of the difficult things that happen can separate us from His love. Jesus came into our messy world and died and rose again to save us, and He promises to help us through each disappointment and hardship. He even uses them to form a beautiful design--He works them together for our good." She put an arm around Xander's shoulders. "When you miss Buster, remember that Jesus loves you and understands how you feel. Trust Him to be with you through the hard, painful things and use them for good."

–Joyce P. Jentes

How About You?
Are you going through hard times in your life? Maybe you're feeling sad and lonely because a family member died or your best friend moved away. Those things hurt, but remember that Jesus loves you and understands your pain. Nothing can separate you from Him. Trust Him to be with you through hard times and use them to make something beautiful out of your life.

Today's Key Verse:
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. (CSB) (Romans 8:28 )

Today's Key Thought:
God works for your good

Bible Reading: 1 John 2:3-6

"Look at how bright the stars are tonight!" Dawson's little brother, Parker, gaped at the sky from his spot on the lawn.

"Yeah, and the moon is really bright too," said Dawson.

"Why is it so bright?" asked Parker. "Is it a great big ball of fire?"

Dawson laughed and shook his head. "The sun is more like a ball of fire. The moon doesn't actually have any light at all. It reflects the light of the sun--that's why it looks bright. I learned about that in my science class."

"Come on in, boys!" called Mom. "It's time to get to bed."

The boys got up from the grass and headed for the house. Once they were inside, Parker ran over to the window and pointed to the moon. "Guess what, Mom! Dawson told me that the moon isn't really a big fireball--it just reflects the sun's light. Did you know that?"

Mom smiled. "Yes, I did know that. Now scoot along to bed, or morning will come before you're ready for it."

After church the following day, Dawson asked his parents a question that had been puzzling him. "My teacher says people are supposed to see Jesus in us. But we aren't Jesus, so how can they see Him? I don't get it."

"Well," said Mom, "remember what you told Parker about the sun and the moon when you were outside last night?"

"Sure," said Dawson. "I said the moon reflects the light of the sun."

"Right," said Mom. "The moon isn't the sun, but it reflects it. When people look at the moon, the light they see is really the light of the sun. And we're not Jesus, but because we belong to Him and have His Spirit in us, we can reflect His light. When people see what we do and how we treat others, they should be seeing Jesus's character shining through us."

"That's right," said Dad. "When we trust the Holy Spirit to help us be kind, patient, truthful, and unselfish, we reflect Jesus and His great love for everyone. Just like the moon reflects the light of the sun, Christians are able to reflect the love of God's Son--Jesus."

–Anna E. Baumeister

How About You?
If you're a Christian, do others see the love of Jesus reflected in your life? When you show others the same kind of love Jesus showed us by dying for our sins, others will see Him in you. But you can't do it on your own--Jesus gave you the Holy Spirit so you can shine His light to others. Trust the Spirit to help you and guide you as you reflect Jesus's love to those around you.

Today's Key Verse:
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. (NKJV) (1 Peter 2:21)

Today's Key Thought:
Let Jesus be seen in you

Bible Reading: Genesis 22:11-18; Isaiah 7:14

"Mia? Why are you lying on the beach?" Mom asked as she came outside and sat down beside her daughter. "It's dark out."

Mia turned to look at her mom, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, honey." Mom hugged her. "Why are you crying?"

"D-d-dad promised he would come see me today. But he never came," Mia sobbed.

Mom hugged her again. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry your dad didn't keep his promise."

"Promises are stupid," Mia said as she pulled away from Mom and wiped the tears off her cheeks.

Mom sighed. "It's very hard for people to keep promises. We make mistakes. But there is someone who keeps every promise He makes."

"Who is that?" Mia asked.

"God. In fact, He made Abraham a promise that I'm reminded of being out here tonight." Mom picked up a handful of sand. "God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the beach."

"I think I remember that story," Mia said. "Didn't he and his wife have a baby when they were really old?"

"Yes, that was Abraham. He had to wait a long time for a baby. And after God gave him a son, He asked Abraham to sacrifice that son. Abraham was going to do that, but God stopped him and told him it had been a test to see how much Abraham trusted God."

Mia bit her lip. "God kept His promise?"

"Yes, Abraham had many, many descendants. King David was one of them, and the Bible says Jesus Himself is a son of Abraham." Mom smiled. "Through His promise to bless Abraham with many children, God also kept another promise. He promised to send a Savior to rescue His people."

"Jesus!" Mia exclaimed. "I know that one. Jesus came as a baby and grew up so He could die for our sins."

Mom nodded. "He sent Jesus to die for our sins and then raised Him from the dead. If we trust in Jesus, He promises that He will always be with us and that we will spend forever with Him. And God always keeps His promises."

–Kimberly Brokish

How About You?
Has anyone ever broken a promise they made to you? Maybe it was a friend, a parent, or a teacher. It doesn't feel very nice when someone breaks a promise, does it? God will never break a promise. He promises to love us, help us, and always be with us, and He sent us a Savior so we can spend eternity with Him. How great is a promise like that?

Today's Key Verse:
All of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" (NLT) (2 Corinthians 1:20 )

Today's Key Thought:
God always keeps His promises

Bible Reading: Psalm 94:18-19; John 14:27

BUZZ! Omari jumped as the timer went off. Mrs. Mary collected the tests. Omari's tummy rumbled, but this time he wasn't hungry. His mom told him that when he felt the nerve worm he should take deep breaths, so he did. But the wormy feelings returned on the bus ride home.

As soon as Omari got home, he started to cry. His mom stopped preparing dinner and walked over to him. "Oh, sweetheart, what's the matter?" she asked, rubbing his back.

"I-it's t-the worms," cried Omari.

"Did you have another math test?" asked Mom.

"Yes, and I forgot a lot of the answers!"

Mom continued to rub his back, and she pointed at their puppy. Buddy was chasing his tail. He spun in circles, then tripped and thudded to the floor.

Mom giggled. "Oh, Buddy, not again."

Buddy whimpered, and Mom went over to pet him. She raised an eyebrow. "Did you see what Buddy did after he fell?"

Omari nodded. "He called out for help."

"Right," said Mom. "Then I went over to comfort and calm him. Do you know who else notices when we're in trouble? Jesus. Our situations might cause us to feel scared or anxious, but when we call out, He hears us." Mom pulled up Isaiah 41:10 on the Bible app on her phone. "He says, 'Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.'"

A soft grin appeared on Omari's face. Then he sighed. "What if I'm still nervous and forget the answers again?"

"When Jesus says He will be our help, that doesn't mean He will snap His fingers and make all our problems disappear. But, just like when I calmed Buddy, God will give us peace and comfort to make it through hard times." Mom gently squeezed his hand. "And when you take your next test, remember that Jesus loves you so much that He even died on a cross to save you! He won't leave you when you have the nerve worm." She tickled his tummy, and they giggled.

–Toria Keyes

How About You?
Do the situations you encounter in life ever make you feel nervous or anxious? Before Jesus died to save us, He promised that He'd leave us with peace. We don't have to be troubled or afraid because He assures us that He will always be with us. No matter what your worry is, you can call on Him to give you comfort and peace. What are you worried about today? How can you remind yourself that God is there with you?

Today's Key Verse:
Don't be afraid, for I am with you…I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (NLT) (Jesus helps us in life’s troubles)

Today's Key Thought:
Isaiah 41:10