Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:11-18

As Amalia's youth group started on a nature hike, Pastor Jim pointed out wildflowers and various animals. After hiking a short time, Amalia gasped. "Is that a snake?" she asked, looking up at a tree. "I didn't know they could climb!"

"That kind can," said Pastor Jim. "I think it's headed for that hole up there." He pointed to a hole higher up the tree. "That's a woodpecker's nest."

The kids watched as the snake moved closer and closer to the hole. When it got quite near, it began to squirm. Then, to their surprise, it began to retreat down the tree. "It's leaving," said Amalia. "Why is that?"

"That hole is a red-cockaded woodpecker's nest," Pastor Jim explained. "They make nests in pine trees that have a thick sap that comes out around the woodpecker's hole. The snake doesn't like that sap on its skin, so it leaves."

"We should leave too," declared Amalia, "before that snake gets down here!"

After the hike, Pastor Jim gathered the kids for a short devotional time. "Seeing that woodpecker's nest made me think of a Bible verse," he said. "Red-cockaded woodpeckers resist predators by making nests in pine trees with sticky sap. It made the snake flee from the bird's nest. Like the snake, Satan is a predator--he tries to get us to believe his lies so we'll turn to sin instead of trusting God. Yet the Bible says if we resist the devil, he'll flee too. But how do we do that?"

"Well, we had lessons about the armor of God," said one of the boys. "So things like prayer and remembering that we belong to Jesus would be a way to resist him, right?" Pastor Jim nodded.

"When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He turned to the truth of God's Word," said Amalia. "Knowing what God says in the Bible helps us resist Satan's lies."

"Yes, all those things are important," said Pastor Jim. "Those birds build their nests on the west side of trees so the afternoon sun shines on the sap and keeps it fresh and moist, ready for the enemy. And prayer and studying God's Word keeps us fresh and ready to resist the devil by reminding us that Jesus has freed us from Satan's power and gives us victory over sin."

–Sara L. Nelson

How About You?
Do you know that it's possible to have victory over temptation? If you know Jesus as your Savior, He has freed you from sin's power and gives you the ability to resist Satan's lies. When faced with temptation, remember that you belong to Jesus. Talk to Him and remember the truth of His Word. As you trust and obey God, He'll give you victory over temptation, and Satan will flee.

Today's Key Verse:
Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJV) (James 4:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Resist the devil

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:11-18

As Amalia's youth group started on a nature hike, Pastor Jim pointed out wildflowers and various animals. After hiking a short time, Amalia gasped. "Is that a snake?" she asked, looking up at a tree. "I didn't know they could climb!"

"That kind can," said Pastor Jim. "I think it's headed for that hole up there." He pointed to a hole higher up the tree. "That's a woodpecker's nest."

The kids watched as the snake moved closer and closer to the hole. When it got quite near, it began to squirm. Then, to their surprise, it began to retreat down the tree. "It's leaving," said Amalia. "Why is that?"

"That hole is a red-cockaded woodpecker's nest," Pastor Jim explained. "They make nests in pine trees that have a thick sap that comes out around the woodpecker's hole. The snake doesn't like that sap on its skin, so it leaves."

"We should leave too," declared Amalia, "before that snake gets down here!"

After the hike, Pastor Jim gathered the kids for a short devotional time. "Seeing that woodpecker's nest made me think of a Bible verse," he said. "Red-cockaded woodpeckers resist predators by making nests in pine trees with sticky sap. It made the snake flee from the bird's nest. Like the snake, Satan is a predator--he tries to get us to believe his lies so we'll turn to sin instead of trusting God. Yet the Bible says if we resist the devil, he'll flee too. But how do we do that?"

"Well, we had lessons about the armor of God," said one of the boys. "So things like prayer and remembering that we belong to Jesus would be a way to resist him, right?" Pastor Jim nodded.

"When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He turned to the truth of God's Word," said Amalia. "Knowing what God says in the Bible helps us resist Satan's lies."

"Yes, all those things are important," said Pastor Jim. "Those birds build their nests on the west side of trees so the afternoon sun shines on the sap and keeps it fresh and moist, ready for the enemy. And prayer and studying God's Word keeps us fresh and ready to resist the devil by reminding us that Jesus has freed us from Satan's power and gives us victory over sin."

–Sara L. Nelson

How About You?
Do you know that it's possible to have victory over temptation? If you know Jesus as your Savior, He has freed you from sin's power and gives you the ability to resist Satan's lies. When faced with temptation, remember that you belong to Jesus. Talk to Him and remember the truth of His Word. As you trust and obey God, He'll give you victory over temptation, and Satan will flee.

Today's Key Verse:
Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJV) (James 4:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Resist the devil

Bible Reading: Psalms 33:13-14; 139:7-16

Blake stretched and yawned, lazily watching the campfire. He was on a camping trip with his church group, and he was tired. His head started to nod, and his eyes grew heavy. But suddenly he sat up, wide awake as an eerie sound came from deep in the dark woods. Whooo, hoo-hoo, whooo, whooo. Everyone peered into the darkness, and Blake and a few other boys scooted a little closer to the bright, comforting fire.

"That's just our friend Mr. Owl," said Mr. Lee, their group leader. "I guess he's ready to do a little hunting for his dinner. Now, let's see what you boys know about owls. What kind of beaks do they have?"

"Hooked beaks!" someone blurted out.

"Right," said Mr. Lee. "What are their claws like?"

"They're sharp!" someone else called out.

"Hey, you guys are pretty good," said Mr. Lee. "Owls have interesting eyes too. Who can tell me something about them?"

"They can see in the dark," offered one boy.

"Right! They have night vision, so they sleep during the day and hunt at night. Their eyes are very sensitive, and when they fly overhead, they can see even very small animals on the ground."

Again the hoot of an owl came from the woods. Whooo! Whooo! This time, Blake didn't feel as afraid. Talking about the owls made the sound seem friendlier.

"The good news is that owls don't eat boys," said Mr. Lee with a chuckle. "And although they have incredible vision, it's nothing compared to the way God can see. The Bible says the 'eyes of the Lord are in every place.' To be able to see everywhere at the same time--that's great eyesight, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but it's kind of scary too," said one of the boys.

"Well, it could be knowing that God sees when we do something wrong," said Mr. Lee. "But Jesus forgives us when we confess our wrongs, and He sees us and understands us when it seems like no one else does. He loves us and helps us, and He also sees the good things we do out of our love for Him. I find that very comforting." Mr. Lee stood and stretched. "Time to turn in," he announced. "God will be watching over you all night. Remember that, and sleep well."

–Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Are you glad God can see everything in the whole world at the same time--even into the heart of every person? He knows all you think, feel, and do and understands everything about you. Best of all, He offers you forgiveness for the wrong things you do and promises to take care of you and help you do what's right. Take comfort in the fact that He sees you, loves you, and is always watching over you.

Today's Key Verse:
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. (NKJV) (Proverbs 15:3)

Today's Key Thought:
God sees everything

Bible Reading: Psalms 33:13-14; 139:7-16

Blake stretched and yawned, lazily watching the campfire. He was on a camping trip with his church group, and he was tired. His head started to nod, and his eyes grew heavy. But suddenly he sat up, wide awake as an eerie sound came from deep in the dark woods. Whooo, hoo-hoo, whooo, whooo. Everyone peered into the darkness, and Blake and a few other boys scooted a little closer to the bright, comforting fire.

"That's just our friend Mr. Owl," said Mr. Lee, their group leader. "I guess he's ready to do a little hunting for his dinner. Now, let's see what you boys know about owls. What kind of beaks do they have?"

"Hooked beaks!" someone blurted out.

"Right," said Mr. Lee. "What are their claws like?"

"They're sharp!" someone else called out.

"Hey, you guys are pretty good," said Mr. Lee. "Owls have interesting eyes too. Who can tell me something about them?"

"They can see in the dark," offered one boy.

"Right! They have night vision, so they sleep during the day and hunt at night. Their eyes are very sensitive, and when they fly overhead, they can see even very small animals on the ground."

Again the hoot of an owl came from the woods. Whooo! Whooo! This time, Blake didn't feel as afraid. Talking about the owls made the sound seem friendlier.

"The good news is that owls don't eat boys," said Mr. Lee with a chuckle. "And although they have incredible vision, it's nothing compared to the way God can see. The Bible says the 'eyes of the Lord are in every place.' To be able to see everywhere at the same time--that's great eyesight, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but it's kind of scary too," said one of the boys.

"Well, it could be knowing that God sees when we do something wrong," said Mr. Lee. "But Jesus forgives us when we confess our wrongs, and He sees us and understands us when it seems like no one else does. He loves us and helps us, and He also sees the good things we do out of our love for Him. I find that very comforting." Mr. Lee stood and stretched. "Time to turn in," he announced. "God will be watching over you all night. Remember that, and sleep well."

–Carolyn E. Yost

How About You?
Are you glad God can see everything in the whole world at the same time--even into the heart of every person? He knows all you think, feel, and do and understands everything about you. Best of all, He offers you forgiveness for the wrong things you do and promises to take care of you and help you do what's right. Take comfort in the fact that He sees you, loves you, and is always watching over you.

Today's Key Verse:
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. (NKJV) (Proverbs 15:3)

Today's Key Thought:
God sees everything

Bible Reading: Psalm 66:16-20

Logan met his friend Brody after school to work on their project for the science fair. "We need to think of a way to show how molecules move around," said Logan. "Then our project will have a better chance of winning."

"Yeah," said Brody. "But how can we show the way molecules move and bang into each other when they're too small for us to see?"

"I don't know," said Logan. "We'll think of something." After discussing it a bit more, the boys agreed to think about it for a day or two.

At dinner that evening, Logan's dad mentioned their friends the Thompsons, who were facing very difficult problems. "They sure need our prayers," said Dad.

Logan sighed. "Do you really think it helps? It seems like we've prayed for them a million times, and I haven't seen a single change yet."

"Don't underestimate the power of prayer," said Dad. "You may not see it, but God is working."

As they ate, Logan told his parents about the project for the science fair. "We learned that everything is made up of tiny particles called molecules, and they're always in motion. Brody and I are trying to figure out how to show the way they move."

"But who knows if molecules actually move around like that?" asked Dad. "I've never seen it! Maybe you should do your project on something else."

"Dad!" said Logan. "Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it's not happening. Scientists have studied molecules really carefully, and they say they move a lot."

Mom smiled. "Your father knows that, Logan. I think he's just trying to give you a new perspective on prayer."

Dad nodded. "We know molecules are always moving even though we can't see them, and prayer often works the same way. We have to trust that God hears our prayers and is working in the lives of the Thompsons, even though we can't see it."

"That's right," said Mom. "Sometimes changes are taking place that aren't visible to us. We need to pray about things that concern us, then trust God and believe He's working even when we don't see what's happening."

–Linda E. Knight

How About You?
Are you confident that God answers prayer--even when you don't see anything happening? He often works in quiet ways, but He's always working. So keep praying. Talk to Him during a daily prayer time and whenever a special need comes to your mind. Know that He hears your prayer and is at work--even when you can't see the results.

Today's Key Verse:
Never stop praying. (NLT) (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Today's Key Thought:
Keep praying--God is at work