Bible Reading: Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:1-7; 1 John 4:12-13

"Time for dinner!" At the sound of Dad's voice, Paisley and Bridger paused the level in their video game and hurried to the kitchen.

"What were you guys playing?" Dad asked as he set a bowl of veggies on the table.

"It's an adventure game!" Bridger said. "We win coins by going on quests and completing challenges, and we meet all kinds of interesting characters. We even get to learn sword fighting and protect the realm from darkness!"

Paisley poured glasses of water. "Is Mom eating with us?"

"Yes, I am!" Mom entered the room. "Thanks for cooking dinner, I appreciate it."

When they sat down to eat, Paisley took a long sip of water and sighed. "My life is boring in reality. I wish the things in that video game were real."

"Or even things in the Bible, like the amazing miracles Jesus did," Bridger said. "I wish those things still happened now."

"Now hold on," Mom countered. "Do you really think God doesn't do amazing miracles today?" Paisley and Bridger looked at each other and shrugged. "Did you know that every person who believes in Jesus has been raised from the dead?" asked Mom.

"You mean we will be raised from the dead," Bridger corrected.

"We will, but we've already been raised too," Dad said. "The moment you trusted Jesus as your Savior, He brought you from death to life. Right then and there."

"But that makes no sense," Bridger said.

"The Bible says every single person is dead in our sin," Mom explained. "That means our souls are dead. But the Spirit of God raised Jesus from the grave so that we could also be raised to life. That's what salvation means. When we believe, we are given new life--God's Spirit of life lives inside us. Our souls are raised from the dead, and one day our bodies will be too."

"That is a miracle!" Paisley exclaimed.

"And," Dad said, "God did all that because He loves us and wants us to be a part of His story, which is the most exciting story. Like your video game, there are challenges and lessons to be learned, but in the end, God will defeat darkness and all of evil forever!"

Bridger grinned. "And that's way cooler than our game because it's real!"

–Zoe Brickner

How About You?
Have you ever wondered if God still does miracles today? God has done spectacular miracles all throughout history, and many of them are recorded in the Bible. The most important miracle of all was when God raised Jesus from the dead so that we could have life! We get to experience this miracle for ourselves when we trust Jesus as our Savior. (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:
It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. (NKJV) (Galatians 2:20)

Today's Key Thought:
Salvation is a miracle

Bible Reading: Psalm 33:6-9; Romans 6:23; 2 Peter 3:11-13

Michael put the last touch of paint on his school project, set the brush down, and stood back to admire it. It had taken weeks of hard work, but he had put together a model farm that he was proud of.

It had everything from a cornfield to pigs, cows, and chickens. The farmhouse looked good too, and Michael was excited to show it to his class.

"Wow, you did great," his dad said when he came to inspect it that evening. Dad bent to take a closer look. "I love all the details."

Michael beamed. "Thanks." He explained various parts of the farm and pointed to the things he liked best about it.

Dad smiled as he straightened up. "You should be proud of your work."

"I am," Michael said.

"You love it?" Dad asked.

Michael nodded enthusiastically. "I put so much work into it."

"You know, this reminds me of something," Dad said.

"What?" Michael asked. His dad was always making lessons out of things.

Dad put a hand on his shoulder. "It reminds me of God's creation and His love for it--for us. Think about how He so carefully made the earth and everything in it. It's sort of like how you put effort into the farm."

"The earth is much bigger than my tiny farm," Michael said.

"But it's something you can relate to." Dad pointed at the project. "Whenever you wonder if God really loves you, think about how much love and care went into making this. You wouldn't want anything to destroy it, right?"

Michael's eyes widened. "Of course not."

"God doesn't want anything to destroy His creation either--the earth or the people He created. But we brought sin into the world, and sin is destructive--the Bible says sin results in death. So God's Son, Jesus, became one of us and died and rose again to save us from sin and death. Everyone who trusts in Him has eternal life, and one day Jesus will get rid of sin and death forever and make everything new again." Dad smiled. "That's how much He loves His creation."

Michael looked at his project again. "It's pretty cool to think about it like that."

"It is, isn't it?" Dad winked.

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Do you realize how much God loves the world He made and everything in it--including you? Jesus gave His life to save you from sin and death. Doesn't it feel good to know He loves you that much? He put a lot of care into creating everything He made, and He promises to make it new again one day so we can enjoy it with Him forever.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. (NIV) (Psalm 145:9)

Today's Key Thought:
God loves His creation

Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:27-28; 18:13

"Don't quit yet!" Jill begged her friend, but Elsie sat down and began unlacing her skates, saying she was cold. "It's not that cold!" said Jill. Elsie didn't answer, and Jill went back out on the ice.

"Hey, Jill!" called Mila as she skated by. "My mom is driving some of us to the coffee shop down the street for hot chocolate. Do you and Elsie want to go?"

"I'll check," said Jill. She spun around and returned to where Elsie was sitting. "Let's go with Mila to get some hot chocolate at the coffee shop--it will be nice and warm there!" But Elsie wasn't interested. Jill sighed. I wish I had come skating with somebody else, she thought. She's no fun at all today!

When Jill got home, her mother was stirring a mixture in a bowl. "Oh, yum!" said Jill. "Cheesecake!" She picked up a spoon her mother had been using and quickly took a lick. "Ew!" she said, making a face. "What is this? I thought it was cream cheese."

Mom laughed. "It's shortening. You jumped to a conclusion without learning the facts again." Jill knew she often did that.

As Mom continued working, Jill told her about the problem with Elsie. "I think she's just looking for attention," said Jill.

"Are you sure you haven't jumped to another wrong conclusion?" asked Mom. "Maybe something is bothering Elsie and she needs a patient, understanding friend to listen to her and see what's wrong."

Jill just shrugged. "If something's wrong, why wouldn't she just tell me?"

That evening, Mom came into Jill's room. "Jill, I talked with Elsie's mom a few minutes ago. Elsie's dad left home yesterday."

"He did?" said Jill. "Where did he go?"

"They don't know. Elsie's mom said he has a problem with alcohol and disappears occasionally. I thought you should know so you can pray for them and be there for Elsie."

"Oh no," said Jill. "I did jump to conclusions again! No wonder Elsie was quiet today. When I see her tomorrow, I'll make sure she knows I'm her friend. And I'll pray for her--and for her dad!"

"I will too," said Mom. "And I'll pray that Elsie will see the love of Jesus in the way you care for her as your friend."

–Linda Weddle

How About You?
Do you care when a friend doesn't seem happy? Are you understanding and patient when someone doesn't seem interested in what's going on? Instead of jumping to conclusions, be sensitive and show them that you care. Jesus always listens to us, cares for us, and sits with us in tough times. Trust Him to help you be that kind of friend too.

Today's Key Verse:
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (NIV) (Proverbs 14:29)

Today's Key Thought:
Be understanding of others

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:3-8

Tristan beamed as he picked up a shoe from the display table. "This is the kind I want, Mom! All the guys are getting shoes like this. The special soles reduce the pounding you get from the gym floor." Tristan imagined what his friends would say if he showed up at practice wearing these shoes. He looked at his mother hopefully, but she was moving away.

"How about this one?" Mom held up a shoe similar to the one Tristan was holding.

Tristan made a face and shook his head. "Nobody buys that brand."

Mom sighed in exasperation. "Tristan, I want to buy shoes you like, but I'm not going to pay a lot of money just so you can have a certain brand."

"But I don't want any other shoes!"

"Then you can get along with your old ones," Mom said, and she hurried him out of the store.

"Who was at the door?" asked Mom later that night as she was cooking dinner.

"It was Joey," Tristan said with a scowl. "He just came to show off his new skateboard. He just got one a few months ago, but he bought another one. He just got it to impress the guys."

Mom looked surprised. "So we shouldn't buy things just to impress others?"

Puzzled, Tristan shook his head. "Of course not."

"But weren't you wanting to do the same thing with those shoes today?" asked Mom. "Didn't you want that brand just to impress other kids?"

Tristan looked at the floor. "Well…maybe."

Mom sighed. "I understand what it's like to want nice things, Tristan. But when we want to get things just to impress others, we need to remember where our worth comes from. People's opinions of us can change from one day to the next--they're fleeting, just like the things we own, which will eventually wear out or get lost or broken. But God's opinion of us never changes. Our value comes from the love He showed us by sending Jesus to save us from sin."

Mom put a hand on Tristan's shoulder. "Instead of trying to impress people with what you have, let them know you by the way you treat them and show them God's love. They should know you by your heart, not your shoes."

–Cynthia Y. Powell

How About You?
Do you want name-brand clothing and other things everybody else seems to have? It's good to dress your best and look nice, but that shouldn't be your focus in your interactions with others. Popular items come and go, along with what people think of you for owning them, but the way you treat others will stay in their minds long after. Instead of showing off things you have, show others the love you have in Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (NIV) (Philippians 2:3 )

Today's Key Thought:
Don't dress to impress

Bible Reading: James 4:4-8; 1 Peter 5:8-10

Braelyn dropped her fishline over the side of the boat and watched the bait sink into the water. "That worm squirming on my hook looks so gross! How could a fish possibly want to eat it?"

Dad chuckled. "It doesn't look very appealing to us, but to a fish, it's food."

"I'd rather starve!" said Braelyn.

Dad smiled. "You might look at it differently if you were a fish."

Braelyn's brother Judson cast his line across the water. "The fish don't notice the sharp hook hidden inside the yummy-looking worms. All they think about is how good the worm will taste. They don't think about what might happen after they bite."

"I guess not," said Braelyn. "If they knew they'd get hooked, they wouldn't bite, no matter how juicy the worm looked."

"Maybe not, but they might," said Dad. "Sometimes we can be like fish."

Braelyn grimaced. "You won't ever see me biting on a worm!"

Dad laughed. "No, not a worm. But what about some other kind of bait? I'm thinking of times when there's something we really want to do, but we know it's wrong. You could say that Satan baits a hook with things that tempt us to make bad decisions."

"So it's like Satan is fishing for us?" asked Judson.

"Something like that," said Dad. "He likes to trick us by tempting us with things that look good. Unfortunately, it's easy to fall for his bait and end up making sinful choices that go against God and who He calls us to be as His children."

A faint tug came from Braelyn's line, and she gasped. She reeled in a small bluegill and held it up. "Do I have to let it go?"

Reaching for the fish's mouth, Dad said, "Let's give this fish a second chance."

"Hey, that's like what Jesus does for us!" Judson exclaimed.

"You're right!" said Dad. "Jesus died on the cross and rose again to free us from the power of sin and Satan. That means we can resist Satan's bait. And when we do sin, Jesus will always forgive us."

"Next time I'm tempted to do something wrong, I'll remember these fish," said Braelyn. "And even if I get hooked, I know that Jesus will give me a second chance!"

–Chip Montgomery

How About You?
Can you think of a time when you got hooked by the bait of sin? Maybe you were tempted by something that seemed good at first but turned out to be a trap that got you to do something wrong. When you give in to temptation, remember that Jesus will always forgive you when you confess your sin to Him. Because He has freed you from sin, and it holds no power over you anymore. Trust Him to help you resist Satan's bait.

Today's Key Verse:
Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NLT) (James 4:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't take Satan's bait