Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-9

"Hey, Reece! Did you forget that flying is for birds?" joked Uncle Ryan as he looked at the cast plastered around Reece's ankle. "Your mother tells me you jumped off the garage roof. Good thing you landed in the shrubs or you might have broken both ankles."

"It was higher than I thought," replied Reece, embarrassed.

"You probably have a new respect for the law of gravity," said Uncle Ryan. He sat down on the couch. "I've come to appreciate all of God's laws."

"You mean the Ten Commandments?" asked Reece.

"Yes, but those are only part of God's laws," Uncle Ryan said. "When God created the world, He put into place every scientific law there is. He made botanical laws that say certain seeds produce certain fruit, and He made biological laws that say people require food and water to stay alive. Chemical laws say that certain mixtures of gases will create explosions, and there are reproductive laws that say chickens hatch chicks--never ducks. Mathematical laws say two plus two equals four."

"And like you said, there's the law of gravity," added Reece with a grin.

Uncle Ryan laughed. "Right. God holds the universe together, and His laws never change. It pays to respect God's laws if you want to stay alive." Uncle Ryan picked up a Bible lying on the coffee table and held it up. "And we haven't talked about God's most important laws--His spiritual laws."

"You mean like the things Pastor Burton preaches about in his sermons?" asked Reece.

"Yes," said Uncle Ryan. "Some people don't believe there are spiritual laws, but they're as real as the physical ones. The Bible tells us about them--it says that our sin separates us from God and that we can only be saved by trusting in Jesus, who died for our wrongs on the cross and then rose from the grave. You either respect these spiritual laws and do what they say, or you go your own way and lose out in the end."

"And that's even worse than forgetting the law of gravity and getting a broken ankle," said Reece.

–Jonnye R. Griffin

How About You?
Do you respect God's scientific laws in the world, such as the law of gravity? How about God's spiritual laws? Those laws say that sin separates you from God and that you can only become God's child by trusting in Jesus. Anyone who doesn't will be separated from God forever. Follow God's spiritual laws by trusting in Jesus 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:
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) (Romans 6:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust in Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalms 121; 139:2-5

Joel was used to the sound of sirens, squealing tires, and people's loud voices all through the night. Living in the city, he heard those things all the time. But he wasn't used to the beeping sound he heard now.

Turning onto his side in his bed, Joel saw that it was three in the morning. He frowned. It was three, and he had definitely just heard the microwave.

Joel got out of bed and crept out to the small kitchen area in the apartment he shared with his mom, stepdad, and newborn brother. He found his mom at the table holding a mug.

Mom grimaced. "Did I wake you?"

Joel shrugged. "Is Baby Robby awake?"

Mom shook her head, smiling as she looked down at the steaming drink in front of her. "Just me."

Joel saw the baby monitor on the table and walked over to look at the screen. His new baby brother was asleep in his crib.

"I was like this when I first brought you home too," Mom said. "Too anxious to sleep because I felt like I needed to be awake to listen for you and watch over you."

"He'll cry loudly if he needs you." Joel had witnessed his baby brother doing just that.

"I know," Mom said. "Deep down, I know that, but I still don't feel comfortable sleeping right now." She stood and put an arm around Joel's shoulders. "It actually makes me think of how God is with us, always watching over us."

"He never sleeps," Joel said quietly. "But you need to. Whenever I have trouble sleeping, you tell me that I can rest peacefully because Jesus is with me and I can trust Him to take care of me. You can trust Him to take care of you too--and Baby Robby."

Mom chuckled and ruffled Joel's hair. "You're right, sweet boy. I think it's time for us both to get some rest."

When Joel returned to his dark bedroom, he stared up toward the ceiling. "You really are like that, aren't You, God? Always up and listening for us?" He smiled. "It feels good to know You're always watching over us."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Do your problems and worries ever keep you up at night? When you feel anxious, remember that God is always watching over you. He loves you so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to save you from sin, and He promises never to leave you alone. He is always there to listen and care for you the way a loving parent cares for their child. Rest peacefully knowing He is with you.

Today's Key Verse:
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV) (Psalm 4:8)

Today's Key Thought:
God is always watching and listening

Bible Reading: 1 John 3:18-19; 4:19

Each month, Annie went with her grandma to the nursing home to do craft time with the residents. Annie was beginning to love all the residents, especially Miss Tilley.

"You remind me of my Emily when she was a little girl," Miss Tilley told Annie each time she saw her. Annie would always smile and give her a hug.

"Does Miss Tilley have any family around?" Annie asked Grandma on the ride home one day.

"I don't think she does," said Grandma. "Her daughter lives in another state and rarely comes to visit her. A lot of the residents don't get many visitors and are probably lonely."

"That's sad. I'm glad we do craft time with them, Grandma. Thanks for taking me with you each month. I didn't think I would like going, but I look forward to it now."

Grandma smiled. "You know, Annie, when you sit and visit with Miss Tilley and the other residents, you're showing them love through your actions, just like the Bible tells us to do."

"I am?" asked Annie.

Grandma nodded. "There's a verse that says, 'Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.' Because we know Jesus, who loves us so much that He gave His life to save us, we can show His love to others. When you spend time with the residents at the nursing home, you're communicating God's love to them," Grandma said as she pulled into Annie's driveway.

"How was craft time today?" Mom asked as Grandma and Annie walked in.

"Fun, as always! Miss Tilley told me I remind her of her daughter again, and Mr. Kirkman was his usual loving, grouchy self." Annie laughed.

Grandma and Annie sat and told Mom about their evening. "Grandma told me I was love in action. Did you know it says in the Bible that we shouldn't just say we love someone but that we should show it?" Annie asked. Mom nodded and smiled.

Annie jumped up and gave Mom a big hug. "What's the hug for?" Mom asked.

"Just showing you I love you!" Annie bounded over to Grandma and threw her arms around her. "I love you too, Grandma!"

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Are you showing God's love to others through your actions? Our kind, loving actions show that we belong to God. We love each other because He loved us first. God showed us how much He loved us by sending Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. That was true love in action. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you can show others the same kind of love He shows us.

Today's Key Verse:
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (NLT) (1 John 3:18)

Today's Key Thought:
Show God's love through your actions

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:127-135; Hebrews 4:12

Caden watched as his sister put on her coat, ready to leave for the children's program at their church. "It's too bad you have a cold and can't come," said Avery.

Caden shrugged. "Pastor Walters said the speaker would be talking about Noah, and I've heard that story lots of times." Muffling a sneeze, he turned on the TV.

"Watching the basketball game?" Dad asked after Mom and Avery had left. "That's the one we recorded, isn't it? You already know who won."

"Yeah," Caden said, "but I like to see it anyway."

A little later, Caden was hungry and heated up some leftover pizza.

"You're having pizza again?" asked Dad.

Caden grinned and nodded. "I never get tired of pizza!"

Dad got some pizza for himself. "It's too bad you had to miss the program at church tonight," he said.

Caden shrugged. "It'd just be more of the same old thing. I already know all about Noah."

"Do you?" asked Dad. "Well then, tell me--how big was the ark, compared to a football field? And how did building it show Noah's faith in God?"

"Well, I…uh…" Caden's voice faded out. He didn't know the answers.

"You say the story of Noah is the same old thing, but that basketball game was exciting to you, even though you knew how it ended," said Dad. "And you'd probably eat pizza every day if you could."

Caden frowned. "What are you saying?"

"I just don't want you to think of the Bible as being the same old thing, because it isn't," Dad said. "There are always new lessons to be learned, even from stories you already know, because the Bible is God's Word and He speaks to us through it. He always has new things to teach us as He helps us grow in our relationship with Jesus. As you read and study the Bible, you may find a story applies to your life in a way you never realized before. Keep learning all you can about the Bible, and expect to find something new every time."

Caden was quiet a moment. Then he turned off the TV. "I think I'll go read the story of Noah so I can talk to Avery about it when she gets home."

–Linda Weddle

How About You?
Do you listen for something new each time you read the Bible or learn about it at church? No matter how many times you've heard a story, there's still more to learn. The Bible isn't just any book--it's the Word of God, and He speaks to us through it, showing us our need for Jesus and His forgiveness and reminding us of His promises. Every time you read or listen to it, trust Him to teach you something new.

Today's Key Verse:
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. (NKJV) (Psalm 119:34)

Today's Key Thought:
God's Word is always new

Bible Reading: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6

"Oh no! The squirrel is back!" exclaimed Grandpa. "I thought we had seen the last of him."

"Why don't you like that little squirrel, Grandpa?" asked Cooper.

"Yeah, Grandpa," said Amelie. "I think he's cute, all black and fluffy--and look how he can jump!"

"Exactly," said Grandpa. They all peered out the window and watched the small animal leap from tree to tree. Then it ran along a cable wire like a tightrope walker until it was out of sight. "Do you know where that little squirrel is now?" asked Grandpa.

"Maybe he's playing on your roof," said Cooper.

Grandpa frowned. "As we speak, that little bushy-tailed squirrel is probably gnawing his way through roof tiles and insulation and getting ready to make himself at home in our attic. He's been there before and ruined blankets and clothes Grandma kept up there. Trust me--he isn't cute!"

"How can something that looks so harmless be so destructive?" asked Amelie.

"Destructive is a good word for it," said Grandpa.

"My Bible class teacher said Satan is like that," said Cooper. "She said Satan can tempt us with things that look harmless. But since they go against how Jesus wants us to live, they're destructive--just like that black squirrel."

"Your teacher is right," said Grandpa. "Do you remember how tricky Satan was when he lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden?"

Amelie nodded. "I remember. Satan made Eve think it was okay to eat from the tree God had told her and Adam not to eat from."

"Yes," said Grandpa. "We can't always tell if a thing is good or bad by the way it looks, but we can always look to what God says in the Bible to determine if something is right or wrong. Satan is sneaky, but because we know Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit in us. That means we can protect ourselves against Satan's tricks and lies by seeking God's truth in the Bible and praying for clear understanding. God promises to give us wisdom through His Word and help us know right from wrong." Grandpa strolled to the door. "Now, let's see what we can do to discourage that sneaky squirrel from moving into our attic."

–Laura C. Thomas

How About You?
Do you ever have trouble knowing if something is right or wrong? Sometimes it's hard to tell, especially if other kids tell you it's okay. That's why it's important to go to God for guidance. See what the Bible says about it, and if you're still not sure, talk about it with an older Christian. And don't forget to pray and ask God for wisdom so you won't be tricked by Satan's lies.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever is not from faith is sin. (NKJV) (Romans 14:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Beware of Satan's lies