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

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10

** Editor's note: This story addresses school violence and may not be suitable for some children.

Paxton had a sick feeling in his stomach on the bus ride home from school as he thought about the day's events. He couldn't get the shrieking alarm or the wide, frightened eyes of his classmates out of his mind. Even though it had turned out to be a false alarm, Paxton could barely concentrate the rest of the day.

That night, he picked at his dinner. Mom took off her gun and badge and sat down at the table to eat with him.

"Officer Dwiley told me there was a false alarm at the school today," Mom said. "A man walked past the office without signing in. Everyone's on high alert after what happened at the school in Stenson last week. I'm glad they're being extra cautious, but it must have been scary for you. Paxton?" Mom frowned. "Are you feeling okay?"

Paxton slowly shook his head. "My stomach and head hurt all the time."

Mom reached across the table to squeeze his hand. "A school shooting is a very scary thing, even for adults."

"Easy for you to say," Paxton muttered, pulling his hand away. "You carry a gun."

Mom sighed. "Carrying a gun doesn't make me less scared. While you were at school today, I was praying for your safety and saying that verse I told you about."

"'God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,'" Paxton recited.

Mom smiled. "Fear is a natural response when something horrible like this happens. But we can't let it overwhelm us. We have to choose to trust God to protect us and those we love. And even if something terrible were to happen, Jesus would be there with us. He died and rose again to defeat sin and death so we could live with Him forever. Even though scary things happen in this world, we can have peace knowing He is always with us." Mom squeezed Paxton's hand again. "Will you say that verse at school tomorrow whenever your stomach or head start hurting?"

"Okay," Paxton said. "I'll try."

"Good," said Mom. "And I'd like you to talk to the student counselor too. It's good to have another adult there at school who knows how you're feeling."

–Christa Hogan

How About You?
Do the bad things that happen in this world fill you with fear? You may feel scared when you hear about them in the news or from friends. Maybe you even know someone involved in a scary incident. Whenever you feel afraid, turn to Jesus. He loves you and wants you to feel His peace. Trust Him to be with you when you feel afraid, and talk to an adult about your feelings too.

Today's Key Verse:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV) (2 Timothy 1:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Fear not--God is with you

Bible Reading: 1 John 2:15-17

Naina nudged her way in as her class formed a circle around a four-square game drawn on the concrete. "There's a place in the United States where four states meet just like these four squares do," said Mrs. Cline. Using a big piece of chalk, she wrote the name of one state--Utah--in one square, Colorado in another, New Mexico in a third, and Arizona in the last one. "Many tourists visit that site and enjoy walking from state to state," Mrs. Cline told the class. "They also like to be in more than one state at a time. Who can show us how that can be done?"

Naina eagerly raised her hand. When Mrs. Cline called on her, Naina knelt on the pavement with her right knee in the square marked Arizona, her left knee in Utah, her right hand in New Mexico, and her left hand in Colorado. "Good," said Mrs. Cline. "Many people who visit Four Corners, USA, do the same thing."

That evening, Naina told her parents about the demonstration. "It was fun to pretend to be in four states at once," she said.

"I remember when I first heard about standing in more than one state at a time," Dad said. "When I was a freshman in high school, I heard it from my youth group leader."

"From your youth group leader?" asked Naina.

"My leader mentioned Four Corners and said we should be careful about trying to stand in two different states spiritually," Dad explained. "He said that as Christians we sometimes try to be in the state of following Jesus and in the state of worldly living at the same time. We might say we stand on Jesus and His truth, but we also want to have one foot in the world."

Mom nodded. "At Four Corners, are you actually in Colorado if you have one foot in New Mexico or one of the other states?"

"Well, not entirely," Naina admitted.

"No, and we can't really love Jesus and love the world at the same time either," said Dad. "This world is full of sin, but Jesus has saved us from sin and given us eternal life. Our hope is in Him, not in worldly things that won't last. That's why we need to follow Him wholeheartedly in every area of our lives."

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Are you following Jesus wholeheartedly? Or are you trying to keep one foot in the ways of this world? Even though we live in the world, it's not where we belong--we belong to Jesus. So don't try to be in two places at once by holding on to sinful ways that don't fit the new life Jesus has given you, even if the world says it's okay. Leave them behind and follow Jesus alone.

Today's Key Verse:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (NKJV) (Romans 12:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Follow Jesus, not the world