Bible Reading: Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 121; Colossians 1:15-16

Maia was excited! She and her dad were going on an all-day excursion to the city zoo. "I love watching all the animals, but the penguins are my favorites," she said. "They look so funny strutting around on land, and it's even more fun to watch them swim. They look like they're flying underwater!" Whenever she went swimming herself, Maia would try to imitate the smooth, flowing motions of the birds.

At the zoo, a guide explained how the penguin room was kept cold so the birds would be comfortable. "Otherwise," he said, "the birds would get sick and possibly even die from the change of climate." Maia listened eagerly as he described a number of other special things that were done to keep the penguins comfortable and healthy.

That evening for devotions, Dad read Psalm 121. "How do these verses remind you of those penguins?" he asked after reading the psalm. "Remember how careful the zookeepers are in taking care of them?"

Maia nodded. "They make sure they get the foods they need, and they keep the room at the right temperature and even have special lights for them! The zookeepers know how to keep the conditions just right so the penguins won't get sick."

"Yes, and this psalm reminds me that God does the same thing for us," said Dad. "The Bible explains how God not only created our world with the conditions perfect for life but sustains it, meaning He controls everything and watches over us. The zookeepers don't just put the penguins in a tank and leave them be--they monitor them with care and loving attention."

"So God takes care of us, just like the zookeepers take care of the penguins," said Maia. "I think one of the verses in that psalm says God is our keeper, doesn't it?"

Dad nodded. "God is in control of both our physical environment and all the situations that affect our lives. He is a good and loving keeper who gives us all we need--including forgiveness, peace, and eternal life--through His Son, Jesus. Even when hard things happen, we can trust that God will work everything out for our good."

"Yeah," said Maia thoughtfully. Then a smile spread across her face. "I think we should go to the zoo more often to remind ourselves of that!"

–Deborah S. Marett

How About You?
Did you know that God is your keeper who watches over you day by day? He's the one who provides the air you breathe, the food and water you need, and the type of environment where you can survive. He also provides for all your spiritual needs through His Son, Jesus, who died for your sins so you could live with Him forever. Trust Him to care for you and work everything in your life out for good.

Today's Key Verse:
The Lord is your keeper…The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. (NKJV) (Psalm 121:5, 8)

Today's Key Thought:
God is your keeper

Bible Reading: Romans 6:5-7; Galatians 2:19-21

"You're so funny!" Shiloh laughed as his grandpa juggled three strawberries then caught one in his mouth. "Was he always like this, Dad?"

The two men looked at each other before Grandpa shook his head. "I wasn't a very good person when your dad was growing up."

Shiloh turned to his dad, expecting him to argue and say that Grandpa was just being humble. Dad didn't speak up though, just continued pouring cream into the bowl in front of him.

"The way that I was, and the way that I changed…" Grandpa handed Shiloh a strawberry. "It shows the power of God and how He can change anyone." Grandpa looked to Shiloh's dad, who was holding a whisk. "Look in that bowl, Shiloh."

He did, and he saw a whole lot of liquid. It looked like milk, but thicker.

"Start mixing," Grandpa told Dad. He put a hand on Shiloh's shoulder as Dad began whisking the liquid. "Once I trusted in Jesus to save me, I started to see that I needed to change my life. I saw all the things I was doing that were really selfish and how your dad needed me to be better."

Shiloh frowned. "You've always been nice to me. I only remember you being funny and kind and a good guy."

"Thank you." Grandpa chuckled. "I don't know if that's necessarily true, but thank you. It's all because of God." Grandpa pointed to the bowl in front of Dad. "Look at that!"

Shiloh looked and saw that the cream in the bowl was now thick and fluffy.

"Your dad transformed that cream into something else completely," Grandpa said. "Pouring liquid cream over these strawberries wouldn't be any good, but just wait until he serves them with that whipped cream after dinner--you're going to love it! And through the power of the Holy Spirit, who came into my life when I trusted in Jesus, God transformed me and made me into something different altogether. I feel bad that your dad only knew a worse version of me when he was young, but I'm thankful that God showed me grace."

Dad put an arm around Grandpa. "He shows grace to all of us."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Do you believe that God can change lives? Have you seen Him change someone you know--maybe a parent, a sibling, or a friend? Has He changed your life? The Bible says that when we trust in Jesus, our old, sinful selves die with Him on the cross and we become new people who have His Spirit living in us. If you haven't yet trusted in Jesus, do it today, and He will transform you. (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:
We know that our old life, our old sinful self, was nailed to the cross with Christ. And so the power of sin that held us was destroyed. (NLV) (Romans 6:6)

Today's Key Thought:
God can change lives

Bible Reading: James 1:21-27

"What time was it when you put dinner in the oven, Dad?" asked Liam. "I'm hungry! It seems like we've been waiting a long time for that lasagna to be ready, but I don't even smell it yet."

"I don't either," said Dad. He glanced at his watch. "The recipe said it would need to bake about an hour." Dad got up and went to the kitchen. "Oh no!" he exclaimed. "The button on the oven must have gotten stuck again--the oven didn't turn on! Looks like dinner won't be ready for a while."

"But Dad, I'm starving!" groaned Liam.

"I'm sorry. Let's have an apple while we wait." They each chose a shiny red apple.

"This reminds me of what Pastor Grey said at church last week," Dad remarked as he and Liam bit into their apples. "Do you remember what he told us?"

Liam nodded. "He said we often take in God's Word, but we don't apply it to our lives. But what's that got to do with the oven and our lasagna?"

"Well, we learn about God by going to church and reading the Bible. God's Word tells us how amazing He is and how we can have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus, who died and rose again to save us from sin. It also tells us how to live as His people so others can see His love in our lives. But if we hear what the Bible says but don't put it into practice, it's like we don't turn God's truth on in our lives. The knowledge just sits there--cold, like our lasagna. We need to do what the Bible says. The first thing we must do is trust in Jesus so He can fill our lives with His peace, love, and joy. Otherwise we're left--"

"Hungry," Liam finished with a frown. "Like I am now!"

"Spiritually hungry," said Dad. "And we can't continue to put God's words into practice by being kind and loving and unselfish toward others when we're spiritually hungry."

"Yeah," said Liam. "I have trouble doing those things when I'm physically hungry!"

Dad laughed. "Then it's a good thing I can smell the lasagna cooking!"

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Have you heard Bible stories and learned verses at church? Do you listen to the message they give and apply it to your life? Or do you forget about them the moment you leave church? If you don't apply what they teach you, they can't do you any good. Listen to the truth God gives in the Bible and then trust Him to help you put it into practice.

Today's Key Verse:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (NIV) (James 1:22 )

Today's Key Thought:
Apply God's truth to your life

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-7

"Why do we have to get rid of Chomper?" Owen asked his dad. "He's so much fun!"

"I know you like having a pet goat, Owen, but he's cost us quite a bundle with all the mischief he's gotten into," said Dad.

Owen knew that was true. Their two sheep just ate grass, but the goat preferred the neighbors' flowers and shrubs. He'd also eaten two apple tree saplings Dad had planted. They tried to keep Chomper tied up, but he always got loose. They penned him in, but sooner or later, the clever goat managed to get out.

"Come see what he did today," said Dad. Owen followed his dad over to where a dozen wooden boards had been pulled from the side of the toolshed. Several chewed pieces lay scattered on the ground.

"Chomper does get into trouble a lot," admitted Owen. "But he's so smart!"

"He's definitely clever," said Dad. "But that's also what gets him into trouble. Goats can be useful and a lot of fun, but they have a well-earned reputation for making life difficult for their owners."

Owen sighed. "I guess so."

As they walked toward the house, Dad spoke up. "You know, people can be a lot like Chomper--clever and a lot of fun, but always getting into trouble."

Owen bit his lip, knowing Dad was talking about him. He often got in trouble at school for disrupting class and getting other kids to go along with his antics.

"Being smart, entertaining, and outgoing are good qualities," Dad continued. "They're part of who God created you to be, Owen. But you have to be careful not to let them cause you to lead others in doing wrong things."

"I know," said Owen. "I'll work on that."

"You don't have to do it alone," Dad said. "We all do selfish things sometimes and make life difficult for those around us, but Jesus promises to help us follow His example of love. He loves us so much that He died to save us, and He'll help us use the good qualities He's given us to show that kind of love to others."

Owen smiled. "That's good, because I want to remind people of Jesus, not Chomper!"

–Lorna B. Marlowe

How About You?
Are you someone who can find clever ways to have fun--even if it means breaking the rules? Do other kids go along with you and get in trouble too? That's not the way to be an example to others or use the gifts God has given you. Jesus sacrificed His life to save us and make us God's children, and He will help you live in a way that shows others His love. Follow His example so others can see His love in your actions.

Today's Key Verse:
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us. (NLT) (Ephesians 5:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Follow Jesus's example

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:15, 21-25; James 3:17

"I don't know what to do!" Marnie told her mom after school. "Olivia asked me to spend the night on Friday, but I already told Juliet I'd go to her birthday party. I didn't want to tell Olivia why I can't, so I said I'd ask you."

"What are you going to tell Olivia tomorrow?" asked her mom.

Marnie sighed. "I could tell her you said no."

Mom shook her head. "That's not true."

"But she'll be sad she wasn't invited to Juliet's party!"

"Do you know what I do when I need advice?" asked Mom.

"You talk to Dad?"

"Your dad has plenty of good answers to my problems, but sometimes I need an even wiser source."

"The internet?"

Mom laughed. "I search the internet sometimes, but you can't always trust what you find there."

"I know," exclaimed Marnie. "The Bible!"

"Right. God and His Word are the best places to go for wisdom and understanding. That doesn't mean we'll always know exactly what to do in every situation, but the Bible is full of His truth and wise advice, and He loves to guide us when we pray about our problems. Why don't you ask God what to do?"

That night and the next morning, Marnie prayed. She also flipped through her Bible and read some verses. One of them talked about speaking the truth in love as people who belong to Jesus. By the time she arrived at school, she knew what she should do.

Marnie found Olivia before the bell rang. "Hey, Olivia. I'm really sorry, but I won't be able to spend the night Friday."

"How come?" Olivia asked.

"I was afraid to tell you yesterday, but Juliet had already asked me to her birthday sleep-over. I didn't want you to feel bad."

"Oh." Olivia looked a little sad. "That's okay. I know you've been friends with Juliet a long time."

Marnie grabbed Olivia's hand. "I have an idea! Why don't you spend the night at my house on Saturday? You can even come to church with me Sunday morning!"

Olivia's face brightened. "That sounds like fun. I'll ask my mom!"

–Bonnie Carr

How About You?
Where do you go for advice? When you aren't sure what to do, do you ask your parents, a teacher, or a good friend? Those are all good people to go to for answers, but don't forget to ask God too. The Bible is the most reliable place to find truth about right and wrong, and God loves to guide us in His wisdom. Whenever you have a problem, pray about it and trust Him to help you know what to do.

Today's Key Verse:
Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. (ERV) (James 1:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Ask God for wisdom