Bible Reading: Psalm 66:1-5; Romans 8:28-29

The Reed family was seated around their picnic table playing a board game when Eliana looked up. "Oh no!" she wailed. "Not again!"

Parker groaned. Arthur, their collie, was almost totally covered with cockleburs. "I'm guessing you just had to go chase after a squirrel," said Parker. "Or was it a rabbit this time?"

Eliana sighed. "Dad, why did God create cocklebur plants?"

"Well, I don't know for sure," said Dad. "But I once heard of another dog that was covered with cockleburs many years ago. While his owner was picking them off, he noticed the small hooks on the burs and how they clung to each other. That gave him an idea that eventually earned him quite a bit of money." Dad grinned at Eliana. "What holds the strap in place across the top of your sandals?"

Eliana pulled one strap loose. "It's called Velcro."

Dad nodded. "The man who invented it got the idea from those cockleburs. He's just one of many people who have studied things in nature and then used what they learned to invent or improve things we use in everyday life. God's wisdom has been discovered in hundreds of the things He created."

Parker slapped at a mosquito. "I'm pretty sure no one has found any use for mosquitoes though," he said.

"Actually, scientists have been studying mosquitoes," said Mom. "They've used what they've learned from them to make hypodermic needles less painful."

"Wow, that's great! I hate getting shots," said Parker. "And I thought the only good mosquito was a dead one!"

"All of creation shows us that we have an awesome God," Dad said. "Even things like cockleburs and mosquitoes. Those things reflect God's wisdom too, even if we don't recognize it at first."

"It's crazy to me that God gave mosquitoes and cockleburs a purpose," Eliana said.

"It's the same with things in our lives," Mom said. "We can always trust God's wisdom, even with things we don't understand. He created us and sent Jesus to save us because He has a purpose for us. Even when things happen that don't make sense to us, we can trust Him." She looked at Arthur. "All right, let's get all those burs out of Arthur's coat before they get tangled in even worse!"

–Vera M. Hutchcroft

How About You?
Do you sometimes wonder why God created things that seem bad? He has a purpose for everything, even when we can't see what it is. Jesus's death on the cross seemed awful at first, but it led to the biggest miracle ever--His resurrection! Because of this, we can pray that when we don't understand God would help us find peace in His wisdom.

Today's Key Verse:
O Lord, how many are Your works! You made them all in wisdom. The earth is full of what You have made. (NLV) (Psalm 104:24)

Today's Key Thought:
You have an awesome God

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:19-23

"You can't trust anyone." Emma sighed as she walked along the beach with her aunt. "He promised to love my mom forever. And now what? He's going to leave me and Mom and never see us again?"

"I'm sorry," her aunt said. "I wish things had worked out better."

"He promised he was going to be like a dad to me," Emma said.

"You and your mom have both been hurt twice now," her aunt said. "It's terrible, and I'm sorry." She bent to pick up a shell. "I don't know what it's like to have a dad or stepdad leave me, but I know that breakups are difficult. They make it hard to trust."

"I'm never trusting anyone again. Everyone lies. No one stays with you." Emma's eyes filled with tears. "How do I even know you'll stay? How do I trust God anymore?" She kicked at the sand. "You know what? I don't."

"Emma." Her aunt dropped the shell and put her arms around her. "Sweetheart…"

"I wanted him to stick around!" Emma cried. "Mom was happy when he was with us."

They stood there together, Emma crying and her aunt trying to comfort her, until a loud seagull got their attention and they pulled apart.

Emma wiped her eyes. "I don't know if I can trust God anymore."

Her aunt pointed to the water. "Who made that?"

"God," Emma said. "He made the whole world."

"Right," her aunt said. "There's a verse in Psalms that says God made the sea and goes on to say that He is always going to be faithful. Faithful…it's what a couple promises to be when they get married. But people mess up. God doesn't ever mess up--He will always be there for you."

"It's hard to believe that," Emma said.

"I know. But the One who made you and sent His Son to die for you is not going to abandon you. He loves you too much to do that."

Emma bent down and picked up a smooth stone. "I think I'll keep this to remember what you said--to remember that the God who made the ocean is always going to be faithful."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Have the actions of humans such as your parents, teachers, or friends ever caused you to question God? Even if a parent or friend abandons you, God is still going to be with you, no matter what. God created you and loves you, and Jesus died and rose again to save you and give you eternal life with Him. You can trust Him to always be faithful.

Today's Key Verse:
He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--he remains faithful forever. (NIV) (Psalm 146:6)

Today's Key Thought:
God is always faithful

Bible Reading: John 10:7-10

Ryan lay flat on his back in the cool green grass, watching the fluffy clouds floating across the sky above him. When he glanced over at the tall trellis covered with Grandma's rambling roses, he noticed it almost reached the small balcony with the slider door that led to the guest bedroom. Ryan scrambled to his feet and darted toward the house. I bet I can climb up to my room, he thought. He put his foot on a low trellis slat, pushed away a few roses, and began to climb. He stretched his arms, caught the balcony railing, and swung himself up. But before he could crawl over the railing, his foot slipped. He screamed, and the big pink roses zipped by as he fell to the ground.

"Ryan, can you open your eyes?" asked a faraway voice. "Can you hear me?"

Ryan blinked and slowly sat up. "What happened?" he asked.

"You had a bad fall," said Grandpa. "We need to take you to the emergency room to make sure you don't have a concussion."

After returning from the hospital with a clean bill of health, Ryan felt embarrassed about what he had done. "I wanted to climb onto the balcony to get into my room," he said. "I thought it would be more fun than just walking in through the door, but it wasn't fun at all!"

After dinner, Grandpa read from the book of John. "Your experience today reminded me of these verses," he said. "They say Jesus is the door to eternal life. We may think we can get to heaven by going to church, helping neighbors, giving money to charity, taking care of animals--doing all sorts of good things. But just like you couldn't get into your bedroom by climbing the rose trellis, none of us can get into heaven by doing good things."

"Right," said Grandma. "We can only get into heaven through Jesus. He is the door. Only He can save us from sin and give us eternal life."

Ryan nodded. "I didn't use the door when I tried to get into my room today, and that was a disaster. I'm glad I'm going through the door to heaven by trusting in Jesus!"

–Lois A. Teufel

How About You?
Did you know that Jesus is the door--the only way--to heaven? Or are you trying to get there some other way? There is nothing you can do to work your way to heaven. You must simply come through the door. Jesus loves you so much He died to save you from sin so you could spend eternity with Him. Trust Him as your Savior today. (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:
I am the Door. Anyone who goes in through Me will be saved from the punishment of sin. (NLV) (John 10:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is the door to heaven

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:27; 1 Peter 1:18-19

"I don't get it, Grandpa." Malik scratched his head as he looked at the painting. "What is it?"

"Well, the title is Three Musicians. Try squinting your eyes and tilting your head."

"I think I see a clarinet and a guitar, but the musicians look a little creepy."

"That's the beauty of art," said Grandpa. "Everyone sees something different."

Malik and his grandparents were spending the afternoon at an art museum. Malik had never seen so many paintings and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces of artwork hung on walls that stretched on for what seemed like miles.

"Which painting is your favorite, Malik?" Grandma asked.

"I'm not sure, Grammy. Some of these paintings look like they were painted by a three-year-old. Other paintings look way better than anything I could paint. If I had to pick my favorite, it might be Three Musicians. I like that you have to think about what you're looking at. How much do you think a painting like that costs?"

Grandma shrugged. Grandpa scratched his chin. "I'm sure that painting costs millions of dollars."

"Millions of dollars!" Malik couldn't believe it. "It doesn't look that valuable."

Grandpa smiled. "It's not valuable because of how it looks. It's valuable because of who made it. Three Musicians was painted by Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest artists of all time. Many people consider it to be one of his masterpieces."

Grandma put her arm around Malik. "Every time I come here I can't help but think that none of these masterpieces compare to God's masterpieces."

"God's masterpieces?" asked Malik. "Where are God's masterpieces?"

Grandma smiled. "Take a look in the mirror."

"Me?" Malik asked.

"You got it. The Bible says God made all of us in His image. We're God's masterpieces. Our value doesn't come from how we look, but from who made us."

"That's right," Grandpa chimed in. "The Bible also says God paid a high price for us. He sent His Son to die on the cross to save us from sin. Jesus paid for us with His life so we could belong to Him."

Malik took out his phone and snapped a picture of himself with his grandparents. Grandma looked at it and smiled. "Now that's a masterpiece!"

–Jared Hottenstein

How About You?
Have you ever looked in the mirror and seen something you didn't like? Maybe you think your nose is too big or your hair is too curly. The next time you find something about your body you wish you could change, remember that God made you, and He doesn't make mistakes. He made you in His image, and Jesus paid for you with His life. That determines your value--not what you look like.

Today's Key Verse:
God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body. (ERV) (1 Corinthians 6:20 )

Today's Key Thought:
You are God's masterpiece

Bible Reading: John 15:12-13

"Have you ever heard people use colors to describe their feelings?" Miss Iverson asked her class.

Carter waved his hand to make sure she saw it. "Like green with envy?"

"How about purple with rage?" Mei said. "Or blue--like when they're sad."

"All good examples," Miss Iverson said. "Now, people don't actually change color, but some animals do. A chameleon, for example, can quickly change its skin color in response to light, temperature, or other things in its environment. Other animals change color to blend in with their surroundings. They do that to defend themselves against enemies."

That evening, Carter told his dad about his day. "People use different colors to describe how they feel, but some animals really do change their color. Isn't that cool?"

"Sure is," said Dad. "Sounds like you had a good day."

"Pretty good," replied Carter, but then he frowned. "Hari and I always play together at recess time, but today he acted like he didn't even know me! He was playing basketball with a bunch of guys when I came up, and he didn't invite me to play with them or even speak to me. I think he wanted them to think he was cool." Carter paused. "Hari was a chameleon friend today!"

"That's a good way to describe people who change their behavior toward others depending on the situation," said Dad. "But I don't think Hari is the only one who does that. Have you ever done something like that, Carter?"

"Well…maybe." Carter thought of how he treated his little sister differently when his friends came over. "Yeah. I'm not always nice to Layla in front of my friends because I want her to leave us alone."

"Do you remember the verse you learned at church last week?" Dad asked.

Carter nodded. "Proverbs 17:17. It says friends should love each other at all times. That kind of friend wouldn't be like a chameleon."

"No," said Dad. "That verse describes the kind of friend Jesus is. He shows His love for us all the time, and He wants us to do the same. Trust Him to help you be consistent, loving friend--even when others aren't."

"Okay." Carter sighed. "I'll remember that when I see Hari tomorrow."

–Donna Huisjen

How About You?
Have you ever had a chameleon friend? Have you been one yourself? It hurts when a friend changes the way they treat you based on where they are or who they're with. The Bible says a true friend loves at all times. That's how Jesus loves us, and He wants us to love others the same way. Be a consistent friend and treat others in the same loving way all the time.

Today's Key Verse:
A friend loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Be a consistent friend