Bible Reading: Psalm 27:1-3; Isaiah 41:10

If I don't make any noise when I walk by that house, maybe the dog won't see me, Nolan thought. But the barking, growling dog across the street jumped against the fence around its yard, making a loud bang. Nolan took off. He was out of breath when he got home and slammed the door behind him.

"That big dog always jumps at me when I'm walking home," Nolan told Mom.

"Since you have to pass that house every day to and from school, maybe you should make friends with the dog," suggested Mom.

"Yeah right. I'll just say, 'Hi, dog. My name is Nolan. Wanna be friends?'"

That evening, Nolan learned a verse at Bible club--Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.

"Jesus died and rose again to save us from sin and death, and He promises to be with us in every scary situation," Nolan's teacher explained. "Whenever we feel afraid, we can trust God to help us and give us courage."

The next day, Nolan repeated the verse one more time before heading off to school. As he passed the dog's house, the dog came barking and running toward him. Trembling, Nolan prayed. You said You'd be with me and help me, God. He stopped. "All right, dog!" he said loudly. "You can bark all you want, but I'm done being scared of you! You got that?" The dog backed away. He and Nolan stared at each other. Then the dog whimpered and began to slowly wag its tail.

"You're making friends with my Snookums!" said a voice. "I've been hoping he'd find a friend."

Nolan turned toward the house and saw an elderly woman leaning on a cane. "You named this big dog Snookums?" he asked in surprise.

The woman nodded. "My husband used to play with him and take him for walks, but he died recently." She sighed sadly. "You can see I'm not able to do those things." She looked at Nolan. "Snookums seems to like you, though. Would you be interested in a dog-walking job?"

Nolan hesitantly agreed to ask his parents about it. As he continued on his way, he prayed, Thanks, God, for helping me. He grinned. It might be fun having Snookums for a friend.

–Donna Overmyer

How About You?
Are you afraid of something? Perhaps you get scared when you're in the dark, have to go to the doctor, or come face-to-face with a bully at school. Whenever you feel afraid, remember that God is always with you. He promises to give you the strength to face your fears. Talk to Him and ask for help--and don't be afraid to share your fears with an adult so they can help too.

Today's Key Verse:
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. (NLT) (Isaiah 41:10 )

Today's Key Thought:
Give your fears to God

Bible Reading: Romans 8:22-25

Within a few minutes of getting home from school, Mateo talked back to his mother, hit his brother, and gave the dog table food even though Mom had told him not to. He was promptly sent to his room with no electronics.

Mateo collapsed onto his bed and groaned. What's up with me today? he thought. Why am I acting like this? He sighed and lowered himself to the floor where a vast city was taking shape. He grabbed the box of loose connecting blocks and started adding a bridge between two of the skyscrapers. This city's gonna look so cool once I'm finished, he thought. It'll probably take up half the room! I can't wait to see what people say when I post a picture online.

Pretty soon Mom walked in. "Hmm," she said when she saw Mateo working on his city. "I forgot you had this in here. I guess next time you get in trouble I should send you to the storage room where there's nothing fun for you to do."

Mateo put down the blocks he was holding. "I'm sorry, Mom--I don't know why I did all that stuff." He leaned his head back against his bed. "I thought I'd be different by now."

"What do you mean?" asked Mom.

"Well, I thought becoming a Christian meant I wouldn't sin anymore, but I still do bad things!"

Mom sat down at the city's edge. "This is looking pretty good," she said. "Why don't I go get my phone so you can post it online?"

"No!" said Mateo. "I don't want to post it until it's totally finished."

Mom picked up a block person lying on the floor. "Well, you're not finished yet either--God is still working on you. The Holy Spirit is patiently teaching you to turn away from sin and live your life in a way that shows trust in God and love for others. It's a process that will take the rest of your life, but it's worth the wait." She stuck the person on top of the bridge Mateo had just built. "Jesus saved you from sin in an instant, but the new person He's making you to be won't be complete until He comes again and gives you a perfect body someday. Then you'll be totally finished--and you'll never sin again!"

–Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Do you get frustrated when you do things you know a Christian shouldn't do? Do you wonder why it seems so hard to live the way God wants you to? Being saved from sin only takes a moment--it happens the second you put your trust in Jesus. But becoming more like Him as the Holy Spirit works in your heart takes a lifetime. Be patient and trust God to complete the work He's started in you.

Today's Key Verse:
I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again. (ERV) (Philippians 1:6)

Today's Key Thought:
God's still working on you

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Elodie had just started taking piano lessons with her mom, and she couldn't wait to learn more. However, right after Mom explained how to find middle C, her brother Tanner excitedly barged into the house. "Mom, guess what! We picked out jobs at chess club today. Everyone wanted to be the president. We didn't want to argue, so we're all going to be the president! We're going to call it the Presidents' Club. Isn't that great?"

As he talked, Elodie continued to practice and sing out, "Middle C, middle C, middle C."

Tanner laughed. "She sure likes finding middle C."

Mom nodded and led him to the kitchen. As she handed him a bowl of carrots and dip, she said, "Tell me more about this Presidents' Club. Who's going to collect money at the club events? Or take notes at meetings?"

"I'm not really sure," said Tanner. "I guess we didn't think about that."

Suddenly, Elodie's voice loudly interrupted them. "Middle C, middle C, middle C."

This time, Tanner rolled his eyes. "Can't she play another note? This is getting annoying."

"You're right, Tanner," said Mom. "Many notes are needed to make a song. People are that way too. Just like how the notes in a song blend together to make music, God created each of us with different interests and abilities for a reason."

Mom glanced toward the other room when middle C rang out once again. "Think about your club, Tanner. God gave everyone in your group different abilities, and your club should put them all to good use so it can function the way it's supposed to. The church is like that too. As Christians work together and use our different gifts to help more people know Jesus, we're like a song that brings Him praise and tells the world of His love."

Tanner thought about it as he bit into a carrot. "You know, I do enjoy math. Maybe I could help out as club treasurer! I'd rather do that than talk in front of the whole group anyway."

"Middle C, middle C, middle C," Elodie continued to sing.

Tanner covered his ears, and Mom laughed. "That sounds like a great idea. Now, I'd better go teach your sister a few more notes!"

–Bethany Den Boer

How About You?
Did you know that God created you in a special way and gave you your own set of talents and passions? He created us all to be different--if we weren't, then just like a one-note song, the world would get pretty boring. What makes you different and special? Thank God for those things, and use them to help the body of Christ--His church--show people who He is and how much He loves them.

Today's Key Verse:
All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. (NLT) (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Today's Key Thought:
Use your unique gifts for God

Bible Reading: Psalm 63:1-5; 1 Peter 1:24-2:4

"The baby is crying again," said Brexley.

Mom walked over to the cradle and picked up the fussy little bundle. "The baby's name is Michael, and you need to be more patient with him. He's only three weeks old." Mom settled into the rocking chair. "I think he's hungry again." The fussing stopped as soon as Mom started to feed the baby.

Brexley sighed. "I thought having a baby brother would be more fun. I guess I should have known that a baby who can't do anything but eat, cry, and sleep is nothing but trouble!"

"He's more than just trouble," said Mom. "He's cute and loveable, and he's a growing human who needs us to love and care for him. In fact, you could learn a lot from Michael. He's a good little teacher."

"A teacher?" Brexley frowned. "How could he possibly be a teacher?"

"Get your Bible and find the book of First Peter--it's toward the end," said Mom. "Read the second verse of chapter two."

Brexley found the verse and read it out loud. "Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation."

Mom continued to rock and feed the baby. "What is Michael doing now?" she asked.

"Eating," replied Brexley. "But he's almost asleep again." She smiled. "I guess he's eating and snoozing at the same time."

"If I had just rocked Michael or given him his pacifier without feeding him, what would he have done?" asked Mom.

"Cried," Brexley answered. "He wouldn't have been happy until he got his milk."

"Right," said Mom. "And that's the way God wants us to desire His Word, the Bible. He wants us to be eager for the spiritual nourishment it gives us. God shows Himself to us in His Word, and His truth, love, and promises refresh our souls. Michael is satisfied and comforted by my milk and can rest after he eats. As we read the Bible and learn more about God's love for us and how He saved us, we can find comfort and rest in Him too."

Brexley glanced at her baby brother dozing in her mom's arms. "I guess Michael can teach me something after all," she said, smiling.

–Sarah Zaengle

How About You?
Are you as eager for the truth of God's Word as a baby is for milk? Do you look to God to satisfy your soul? Milk doesn't just help babies grow--it also brings them satisfaction and comfort. As we listen to what God says in the Bible and learn about His love and what Jesus did to save us, God comforts us and gives us rest. Next time you read your Bible, let God nourish you with the truth of who He is and what He's done for you.

Today's Key Verse:
Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation. (CSB) (1 Peter 2:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Learn from the Bible

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-2, 7-10; 103:8-12

"Give me my red sweater, you jerk!" shouted Brynn as she chased her twin sister down the stairs. "You're always taking my things!"

"This isn't yours, dummy. It's mine," replied Savannah. "Yours is in the wash!" She ran around the kitchen table, holding the sweater tightly.

Their brother Reese grinned at them. "Want to hear what you sound like?" He pushed a button on his phone, and a moment later the twins heard their own voices yelling at each other. "Isn't technology great?" said Reese. "Wait till Mom hears this."

"Oh, come on, Reese! Don't play that for Mom," said Brynn.

But it was too late. Their mom came to see what all the commotion was about, and Reese pressed play.

"Mom! Make Reese delete that," Savannah pleaded.

"You don't like to hear it, do you?" said Mom. "Well, neither do we."

"Tell you what," said Reese. "If you'll say nice things to each other for the next few minutes, I'll delete it. So, come on! Who will be the first to say something nice?"

The girls scowled, but they did as their brother told them. Soon they were all laughing as the twins tried to outdo each other in saying nice things, complimenting everything from their nail polish to their piano playing.

"Okay, okay," said Reese. "You kept your side of the bargain. I'll delete it."

"You know, girls," said Mom, "Reese deleted your mean, angry words from his phone, but don't forget that God already heard them. He hears every word we say--He even knows our thoughts."

"Yeah!" said Reese. "And you can't erase that, can you?"

"Actually, the Bible says that when God forgives us for the wrong things we've done, it's like our sins have been deleted," said Mom. "Jesus took the punishment for our sins so that they could be erased. Because of Jesus, we can be honest with God about the wrong things we've done. He already knows about them and has already forgiven us." Mom looked at the girls. "And we can tell those we've wronged that we're sorry too and trust God to help us treat others with love and kindness."

Both girls turned toward each other. "I'm sorry," they said.

A smile crept across Brynn's face. "Maybe Reese should record this instead."

"Way ahead of you!" Reese exclaimed, holding up his phone.

–Beverly Kenniston

How About You?
Would you like a wrong thing you've said or done to be erased? Do you want God to forgive your mistakes and never think of them again? Confess your sin to God and trust in the work of Jesus on the cross. Because Jesus died for your sins, God will always forgive and delete every wrong in your life. Trust Him to erase your sin and help you replace hurtful words and actions with kind ones.

Today's Key Verse:
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. (NLT) (Acts 3:19)

Today's Key Thought:
Let Jesus erase your sin