Bible Reading: Galatians 3:11-13; 4:4-7

"Mom, what does 'redeem' mean?" asked Brock.

"Redeem?" repeated Mom. "It means to buy back. Why?"

Brock pointed to a coupon in a paper. "This coupon for popsicles says it will be 'redeemed in accordance with company policy.' Does that mean somebody will buy the coupon back?"

Mom nodded. "An ice cream company put that coupon in the paper to get people to buy their popsicles. After the coupon is used at the store, the ice cream company will redeem it--they'll buy it back by giving the store the amount of money the customer saved with the coupon."

Brock's sister Madeline looked at the coupon. "I'd rather have ice cream bars," she said. "Do you think they'd let us use the coupon for that?"

"I don't think they'd allow that," Mom replied. "'Redeemed in accordance with company policy' means according to their redemption policy--their rules." She looked at the kids thoughtfully. "You know, the Bible talks about redemption too," she said.

"You mean people way back in Bible times used coupons?" asked Madeline.

Brock grinned. "I don't think so! I'm sure they didn't have coupons back then."

Mom laughed. "No, but when Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for us to be redeemed by God. Everyone has sinned and strayed away from God, but Jesus gave His life to buy us back."

"So does that mean God has a redemption policy like this ice cream company does?" Brock asked, holding up the coupon.

"Yes," Mom said. "And that means we have to be redeemed according to God's rules. God has a pretty simple redemption policy, but people often don't want to follow it. They want to make their own rules. Many people think they're not really so bad or that the good things they do will get them into heaven."

"But that's not God's way of redeeming us, is it?" said Madeline.

"No," said Mom. "God's redemption policy requires that we confess our sin and our need for Him to redeem us. We must believe that Jesus really did die to save us. We need to trust in Him as our Redeemer--our Savior."

"I've done that!" Brock said.

"Me too," said Madeline. She looked at her brother. "So we've both been redeemed!"

– Lyndel F. Walker

How About You?
Have you taken advantage of God's redemption offer? Or are you trying to get to heaven according to your own plan? It doesn't work that way. You can only be redeemed and have eternal life with God in accordance with His redemption policy. Jesus paid the price of your redemption. Trust Him as your Redeemer 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:
In [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (NKJV) (Colossians 1:14)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust Jesus and be redeemed

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:17

Jadyn thrust his blue foam sword at his brother's arm and shouted, "Ha! I got you."

Tyler smacked his green foam sword across Jadyn's leg and yelled back, "I hit your leg! You can't fight now."

"I don't need two legs. I will fight you to the death!" Jadyn hopped on one foot and sliced his sword down, narrowly missing Tyler's hand.

"Well, I will fight you until snack time!" Tyler swung his sword high in the air with both hands, his eyes wide with intensity.

"Snack time!" Mom called from the front porch.

The boys tossed their swords to the ground like paper airplanes taking a nose dive and scrambled to get to Mom first.

"You boys having fun?" Mom sat on the front step as she handed out the snacks. Tyler took a large bite out of his apple, while Jadyn put an entire granola bar in his mouth and chewed like a squirrel saving nuts for winter.

"We are the strongest boys on the block, and we have the best weapons!" Tyler said with apple juice running down his chin.

"Yeah, we're good fighters," Jadyn mumbled through his mouth full of granola.

"I believe it," Mom said. "But there's an even more powerful weapon than your blue and green swords. Do you know you can have the greatest weapon of all time?"

The boys' eyes bulged as they looked at each other in excitement. "Really? Where is it?" Tyler asked as he took another bite of his apple.

"Well, Ephesians 6:17 says that we have the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. There isn't anything more powerful in the world than the Word of God. That's why we memorize Bible verses--to keep our sharp swords ready for use."

"I don't get it. How can words be swords?" Jadyn asked.

"Remember when you were scared last week, and we read a verse about God's peace?" asked Mom. "You felt better after that. That's God's Word going to battle for you. It reminded you that you belong to Jesus and can have His peace in any situation."

"Oh, I get it," said Tyler. "We'll be sharpening our God-swords when we do our devotions tonight!" He looked at his brother. "But now, we fight!" The boys laughed and ran to pick up their swords.

– Tannis Oliveri

How About You?
Do you want to be strong and courageous? Do you want the best weapon to help you defeat the enemies in your life? Then take time to make sure God's Word is in your heart and mind. When you feel attacked, you'll be able to bring His Word to your situation. Let its truth speak God's power into your life as you read it, study it, and remember what it says.

Today's Key Verse:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. (NKJV) (Hebrews 4:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Read and memorize God's Word

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Elliot looked out the kitchen window. It had rained all morning, but now the sun was shining brightly. The leaves on the big tree outside were golden and seemed to glow in the sunlight. If only those leaves could be turned into real gold, thought Elliot. Then Mom and I could solve all our problems. He sighed. He couldn't help worrying now that his mom had lost her job. Things had already been tight before--how would they manage now? Turning toward his mother, he asked, "What are we going to do about money, Mom?"

"Don't you worry about that," said Mom. "I have a bit saved up, and I'm sure I'll find another job soon. There are lots of jobs available in the medical field."

As Mom stood beside Elliot at the window, several sparrows swooped down and perched on the volleyball net someone had set up in the courtyard of their apartment building. Under the weight of the birds, the net sagged and swayed in the wind. Soon the thin, weak poles that supported the net became uprooted, and everything crashed to the ground. Elliot and Mom watched as the frightened birds flew away.

"You know, Elliot," said Mom, "that flimsy net is like money and material things. When we count on them to hold us up in times of trouble, they always fail, just like that net failed those birds. Aren't you glad we can count on someone who never fails?"

"You mean God, don't you?" said Elliot.

"That's right," said Mom. "I'm thinking of a verse you learned at camp this summer--the one about birds. Do you remember it?"

"About birds?" Elliot thought about it. "I think I remember. We learned Matthew 6:26, which says, 'Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?'"

Mom nodded. "God takes care of the birds, and He'll provide for our needs too. Jesus has already provided for our biggest need of all by saving us from sin and giving us eternal life. Because of that, He is always with us, and we can trust Him to take care of us."

Elliot smiled. "I'm glad He never fails."

– Dorothy R. King

How About You?
Do you know someone who is out of work? Or maybe you're worried your own family might not have enough money for all the things you need. Pray about it, and trust God to provide. He loves you so much that He sent His own Son to die for your sins, and He cares more about you than you could ever imagine. You can trust Him to provide you with everything you need.

Today's Key Verse:
My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (NIV) (Philippians 4:19 )

Today's Key Thought:
God provides all you need

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:14-18

"Okay, class, change of plans," called Miss Allen from the front of the bus. Ana could barely hear her because of the wind and rain beating against the bus windows. "Due to the storm, we're not going to be able to visit the zoo today after all. However, the state capitol is not far away, and they said they could fit us in for a last-minute tour, so we'll be going there instead."

All the kids groaned except for Ana's friend Evelyn, who bounced up and down in the seat next to her.

When they got to the capitol building, a tour guide greeted them at the door and led them down a long hallway decorated with gaudy statues.

"This is boring," one of the boys complained. He tugged on the tour guide's sleeve. "Can we see the governor?"

The tour guide shook his head. "As much as he would like to, the governor isn't able to visit with every school class that comes through. Thousands of kids visit the building each year."

Just then several important-looking people emerged from the elevator.

"That's the governor in the gray suit," the tour guide whispered.

Suddenly Evelyn started running toward the group of people. "Uncle Mike!" she called out.

The governor turned and held out his arms when he saw Evelyn to give her a hug, then he walked her back to her class, who were all staring at them open-mouthed. "My niece tells me your field trip to the zoo didn't work out," he said. "Maybe you kids would like to see my office instead?"

That night Ana excitedly told her family about everything her class had seen at the capitol that day, thanks to Evelyn.

"Like they say, it all depends on who you know," said her older brother.

"True," said Dad. "Evelyn gave you access to the governor. She was your go-between."

Ana smiled. "I know what you're going to say next, Dad. In our devotions this week, we talked about Jesus being our go-between--the mediator between us and God. Through Him we have access to our heavenly Father because Jesus paid the price for our sin and made us right with God."

"I'm glad you were listening, Ana--and your trip to the capitol today is a perfect example."

– Linda Weddle

How About You?
Have you ever gotten to meet someone well-known or go somewhere special because of who you know? Did you know that, because of Jesus, you can have access to God? You can't approach God on your own because of your sin, but Jesus died to take your sins away. Anyone who trusts in Him has full access to God. (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:
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. (NIV) (1 Timothy 2:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is our mediator

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:13-16

"Whenever I get home from school, all I want is food that's cool," chanted Marina, making up the rhyme as she opened the freezer and took out an ice cream bar. She grinned at her brother Archer.

Archer rolled his eyes and made up a rhyme of his own. "I think your rhyme is kind of sad--your poetry is really bad."

Marina laughed and went outside to where her mother was working in the garden. "Hello, Mother with a thumb that's green. You have the best vegetables I've seen."

Mom smiled. "Still working on that poem you need for school?"

"I'm trying, but all I can think of are silly things," said Marina.

When Dad arrived home, Marina greeted him with another one of her rhymes. "Dad, your work day is finally done. Now it's time to have some fun!"

"Oh, Marina, I think your poems are getting worse," said Archer. "How about this? Mom, that chicken pasta looks so yummy. I want to put it in my tummy!"

Dad laughed and joined in. "My family's always such a delight. It's a joy to be with them each night." As he sat down at the table, he said, "Actually, I know of a very special poem. It's mentioned in the Bible--in Ephesians 2:10."

"That was our verse at church last week!" exclaimed Marina. "It says, 'For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.' But that doesn't rhyme like a poem, and it doesn't say anything about a poem."

"The word handiwork comes from the Greek word poiema--that's the word we get our English word poem from," Dad explained. "So to say we are God's handiwork is like saying we are His poem."

"I like that," said Marina with a grin.

Dad smiled. "And just like a poem can bring joy to people through its words, you can bring joy to people through your good works--the good things you do for others that show them the love of Jesus. God created us to do these things and gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us in doing them. We are His poems that tell the story of the great things He has done for us."

Marina's eyes lit up. "God is our Creator, and He made us for something greater!"

– Lyndel F. Walker

How About You?
Do you have a favorite poem? If you're a Christian, remember that you are God's poem, created to love Him and bless others. God created you with unique gifts and passions, and He gave you the Holy Spirit to help you do the good things He calls you to do. When you love and help other people, you're pointing them toward your Author--Jesus Christ.

Today's Key Verse:
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV) (Ephesians 2:10)

Today's Key Thought:
Christians are God's poems