Bible Reading: Psalm 32:1-5; Matthew 6:9-13

Robin knelt at the foot of her bed and bowed her head to pray. It was hard to focus with her little sister, Jenny, screaming in the bathroom.

"No! I don't want to brush my teeth!" Jenny cried.

Mom poked her head into Robin's room, a tired smile on her face. "Robin, could Jenny and I pray with you? Maybe we can pray that Jenny will want to brush her teeth."

Robin nodded, and her sister raced into the room and sat beside her, suddenly

an angel. "Dear Jesus," Robin said. "Thank You for helping me with my math homework and healing Grandma from her fall. Please bless all my friends and family. Help us have a good night's sleep. Amen."

"Amen!" Jenny exclaimed.

"Robin, did you forget something?" Mom asked.

"Oh, right. Jesus, please help Jenny brush her teeth without complaining. Amen."

Mom smiled. "Just one more thing. Do you remember how Jesus taught us how to pray? In addition to thanking God and bringing our needs to Him, we also need to confess our sins."

Robin sighed. "I just don't see the point in asking Jesus to forgive my sins every single day. I'll still make mistakes tomorrow."

"Admitting our wrongs is about more than preventing future mistakes," Mom replied.

Jenny tugged on Mom's sleeve. "Bedtime?"

Robin laughed. "Nice try, Jenny. But you have to brush your teeth."

"Why does she need to brush her teeth?" Mom asked Robin.

"Because her teeth are dirty and she might get cavities if she waits too long to clean them."

"But her teeth will be dirty again tomorrow," Mom said. "And every day after that. Maybe the whole thing is pointless."

"It's still healthier to brush her teeth daily," Robin said. Then she laughed. "You're not talking about brushing teeth, are you?"

"You caught me," Mom said. "Confessing our sins reminds us of our need for Jesus and helps us appreciate what He did to save us. Prayer is meant to bring us closer to Jesus in this way."

Robin turned to Jenny. "If I confess my sins to Jesus, will you finally brush your teeth?"

Jenny sighed dramatically. "Okay, fine."

–Hannah Chung

How About You?
Have you ever wondered why you should confess your sins to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness when you pray? Confessing means to recognize an action or attitude as sin and trust God for forgiveness, knowing that it is because of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross that we will be forgiven. Take a moment to confess any sins, trusting that God will forgive you each and every time.

Today's Key Verse:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.(NKJV) (1 John 1:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Confess your sins daily

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-9

Landon's eyes widened in horror as his elbow knocked a bottle of paint off the table and it toppled to the floor. Blue paint spread in a growing blob across the kitchen. Landon jumped off his chair and quickly picked up the paint bottle. What am I going to do? he wondered. I've got to clean this up before Grandpa and Grandma see it.

Landon rushed into the laundry room and grabbed some rags, then ran back to the kitchen and used them to soak up the paint on the floor. A large stain remained behind, so he got a bucket of soapy water and began scrubbing the paint spot. This isn't going to work! Landon thought frantically. He ran to the sink and began washing his hands. I can't get the paint off my hands either! He knew he would have to tell his grandparents what had happened.

Grandpa frowned when he came in and saw the stain. "Well, I'm glad the floor isn't carpeted!" he said. "I have some special cleaner in the garage, and I think it will work on this." Grandpa went to get the cleaner, and soon all trace of the paint was gone.

"You know, Landon," said Grandpa as they washed their hands with the same cleaner they had used on the floor, "maybe we can both learn a good lesson from what just happened."

Landon looked up at him. "Not to fool around with paint in the kitchen, right?"

Grandpa smiled. "Well, yes, but I was thinking of an even more important lesson. You couldn't wash the paint stains away by yourself, could you?" Landon shook his head. "The Bible tells us we're all stained by sin, and no matter how hard we try, we can't clean it away ourselves," Grandpa said as he picked up a towel and dried his hands. "But when Jesus died and rose again, He made it possible for our sins to be washed away."

Landon dried his clean hands too. "I needed you to use your special cleaner on the floor and on my hands," he said. "And I need Jesus to clean my heart, right?"

Grandpa smiled and put his hand on Landon's shoulder. "That's exactly right."

–Richard S. Maffeo

How About You?
Have your sins been washed away? You can't clean your heart by being good or doing good things. It won't work. You need someone to clean it for you--Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can make your heart clean and free from the guilt of sin. Ask Him to clean your heart 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:
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (NKJV) (Psalm 51:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus cleans sin away

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-10

Malachi waited in the hallway, tapping his foot on the floor. "Almost time…"

He didn't have to wait long. The door to his dad's office opened, and his dad appeared with his glasses pushed up on the top of his head. "Hi, bud," Dad said.

Malachi grinned and started for the kitchen. He knew his dad would follow him.

An hour later, Malachi positioned himself in the hallway again. This time his dad wouldn't just be getting water but also a snack. He was hoping he might share.

"Have you been standing out here all morning?" Dad asked as he stepped out of his office.

Malachi shook his head with a grin. "What are you having today? Yogurt? A granola bar?"

Dad gave him a sheepish smile. "How did you know I was feeling ready for a snack?"

Malachi shrugged. Ever since his dad started working from home, he'd been paying attention and learning his routine.

Malachi told his grandma about it that evening when she came to the house so his dad could go to a meeting. "I've memorized it all. He does everything at a certain time, even going outside to get a little fresh air."

Grandma smiled. "It shows you care a lot about him for you to memorize his routine so you can see him when he takes little breaks from his work."

Malachi nodded slowly. It did show that, didn't it? He wanted all the time he could get with his dad.

Malachi frowned. "No one cares enough to memorize my routine. I don't think Dad even knows what time I get up."

"Your dad might not, but someone does," Grandma said, scooping a homemade brownie onto a plate. "In Psalm 139, we read that God knows every move we make. Not only did He love us enough to send Jesus to save us from sin, but He cares about us enough to pay attention to our daily routines."

"Really?" Malachi asked. "Well, that's cool."

Grandma nodded. "Your dad loves and cares about you too, Malachi. If you're feeling lonely, maybe you should talk to him about spending more time together. But when your dad can't be with you, remember that God is. He knows everything about you and cares about your life. You can always talk to Him."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Do you ever feel like no one really cares about you or pays a lot of attention to the things you do? If so, talk to a trusted adult about it so they can help. But know that God cares about you. He knows every detail of your life and wants to hear about everything you're going through. When it feels like no one cares, tell Him how you feel and trust Him to help you.

Today's Key Verse:
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. (NKJV) (Psalm 33:18)

Today's Key Thought:
God cares about you

Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 41:10, 13

"Mr. Robinson asked me to give my testimony at our youth group meeting Sunday night," Olivia told her mother as they walked along a path in the woods. "I'm going to tell him I just can't do it! I'm too scared!" She pointed toward a nearby hill. "There's the old fire lookout tower, Mom. Looks like somebody's on duty there today. Do you think they'll let us climb it? I've never done that."

"Let's check it out," said Mom.

When they walked over to the tower, Olivia hesitated. "I don't know," she said as she looked up at flight after flight of stairs leading to the top of the tower. "It looks scary! I don't really like being up so high."

"I'll be behind you to make sure you don't fall," Mom assured her. So after they got permission, Olivia and her mother began climbing.

The higher they climbed, the scarier it seemed, but Olivia could feel her mom's presence right behind her. And when they finally reached the top, Olivia was amazed as she looked out over the forest. Brilliant colors from the setting sun clung to clouds on the horizon. It made a spectacular canopy over the trees and hills below. "Wow, this is awesome!" said Olivia.

"Was it worth being scared?" Mom asked.

"It sure was," said Olivia. "Besides, even though I was scared, I knew you were with me."

"You know," said Mom, "if you let fear keep you from giving your testimony, you might miss something as awesome as this view."

"What do you mean?" asked Olivia.

"It's awesome to see what God does when we share how He's working in our lives with others," replied Mom.

"But what if I get so scared I can't even talk?" asked Olivia.

"I'm not saying you'll breeze right through it, but just like I was with you and ready to help you on these stairs, God will be with you and help you speak about Jesus and how He's changed your life. Even if you mess up, He'll be there to support you and use what you say to bless others."

Olivia hesitated, then nodded. "Okay," she said. "Even though it's scary, I'll trust God to help me."

–Katherine R. Adams

How About You?
Is there something you believe God wants you to do? Someone you should reach out to or talk to about Jesus? If you feel afraid, remember that God will be with you and help you. He is working in your life so that you can point others to Jesus and help them know He loves them and gave His life to save them. Trust Him to help you serve Him and share His love with others in spite of your fear.

Today's Key Verse:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT) (2 Timothy 1:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Don't be afraid to serve God

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Javier looked out the window. Rain rattled on the roof, and thunder jolted his eardrums. "Why is it so loud, Mom?" he asked.

"The storm is getting closer," replied Mom. "The reporter on TV said the basement is the safest place in storms like this, so let's go." Mom handed Javier a jug of water and a couple of flashlights. "You can carry these," she said. "I'll grab some snacks and our emergency pack."

They hurried down the stairs and huddled in a corner of the basement as the wind shook the house. "The wind is so strong," said Javier nervously.

"Yes," said Mom, "but we're sheltered from it. And we have snacks and lights and other supplies to keep us comfortable." She handed him a granola bar.

"Thanks--peanut butter's my favorite!" Javier bit into the bar and chewed thoughtfully. "It's good to be prepared for storms like this, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," said Mom. "Did you know God wants us to also prepare for storms that may come along in life?"

"So we'll be ready for whatever happens to us?" asked Javier.

"Exactly. Can you think of ways we can be ready for whatever happens in our lives here on earth?"

"Well, we believed what the weather reporter said and came to the basement, and we also need to believe what God says and trust Jesus to save us from sin," said Javier.

"Good," said Mom. "That's most important. What else?"

"We brought lights," said Javier. "And the Bible is called a light, isn't it?"

"Yes," said Mom. "It shows us our need for Jesus and the sacrifice He made to save us, and it shines on our lives so we can follow the path God wants for us as His children. Any more ideas?"

"Uh…we brought food and water," said Javier. "Is that like the Bible too?"

Mom nodded. "As we get to know Jesus through what He says in the Bible, He will nourish us spiritually and remind us to trust Him for strength when life brings hard times."

Javier sat up straight. "Hey, Mom, it's not blowing so hard anymore! Shouldn't we pray and thank God for protecting us?"

"You bet!" said Mom, and together they bowed their heads.

–Jaclyn S. Miller

How About You?
Are you prepared for life's storms? Everyone experiences hard times in their lives, but you can be ready for them before they come. Do you trust in Jesus? That's most important. Jesus promises to always be with those who trust in Him and give us strength in tough times. Talk to Him and let Him encourage you and guide you through the light of His Word. When you face hard times, trust Him to help you weather the storm.

Today's Key Verse:
Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work. (ERV) (2 Timothy 3:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Prepare for life's storms