Bible Reading: John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:19-21

"I have to do a project with Dayton Lander," Hazel told her dad as they biked around the block. "I'm not looking forward to it--everyone says he's weird." Dad was about to respond when Hazel pointed to a nearby house. "Look, a garage sale! Can we stop and see if they have any books? I need a new one." Dad agreed, and they got off their bikes.

"How about this one?" Dad held up a book with a worn green cover and letters so faded Hazel had to squint to see the title. "It was one of my favorites when I was a kid!"

Hazel made a face. "I think I'll go with this one." She held up a book with a bright, shiny cover. "It says on the back that it's 'unputdownable' and 'will leave you wanting more.' Sounds good to me! Plus, it's in better shape than yours."

"Suit yourself," said Dad. "I'll buy this one anyway, for old times' sake."

That evening, Hazel read her new book on the patio while Dad grilled hot dogs. "How's your book?" asked Dad.

Hazel put her book down and sighed. "I just can't seem to get into it."

"Well, the one I bought is in the kitchen if you want to give it a try." Hazel shrugged, then went to get the book.

A few days later, Hazel ran to find Dad. "Dad, I just finished that book you gave me, and it was so good! Do you have any more like it?"

Dad laughed. "I'll check. So, you liked that old book I gave you? Even though it wasn't all new and shiny with lots of quotes on the back saying how good it was?"

Hazel smiled. "All right, Dad. You win. I shouldn't have judged a book by its cover."

"Right. It's the story that counts." Dad scratched his chin thoughtfully. "You know, that makes me think of Dayton. You think you know his story by what other people say about him. But there's another story you're forgetting--God's story. Jesus loves Dayton and died for him, just like He did for you and me. He wants Dayton to be part of His story and spend eternity with Him. That's how God sees Dayton, and that's how He wants you to see him too--as someone loved by God who needs to see that love in how you treat him."

–Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Do you view and treat others based on how they look or what other people say about them? Or do you see them through God's eyes and love them the way He does? God loves us all so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so we could have eternal life with Him. That's the kind of love He wants you to show others--no matter what their story is. Love others like Jesus and point them to His story.

Today's Key Verse:
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. (ERV) (John 3:16)

Today's Key Thought:
See and love others as God does

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 1:17

"Mom, what exactly are you doing?" asked Jimmy.

"I'm balancing our budget," Mom answered as she looked up from her computer.

"But why is it taking so long?" Jimmy whined. "You said you'd take me to the park this morning." He had already waited for what felt like hours.

"I know, Jimmy. I'm almost done." Mom smiled at him. "Your dad and I believe it's important to make wise decisions with the money God has given us, and doing that takes time."

Mom turned the laptop around and showed Jimmy the screen. "Look here," she said as she clicked open a new spreadsheet. She typed in some numbers, and a total popped down at the bottom. "Pretend this $20 is how much your dad and I made this month. We were able to make all our payments," she said as she highlighted some numbers in red, "and add money for other projects we're saving up for." Mom then hit enter and the bottom number turned green. "The amount that we made this month was more than the amount that we spent and saved, which is good."

"Oh, so you just add and subtract like I do in math class?" Jimmy asked.

"Yes, I suppose it is just addition and subtraction. But there's one more thing we need to factor in." Mom highlighted three lines on her spreadsheet. "These are the places that we donate to as a family. Since our money is a blessing from God, your dad and I believe it's important to use it to show others God's love and help build His kingdom. Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all when He died for our sins to give us eternal life, so giving to others to show them His love is an important part of our monthly budget."

"I can't wait to have a job one day so I'll be able to give too," said Jimmy.

"Well, even if you don't have money to give, you can still share other gifts God has given you with others," said Mom. "Like your time and energy. Those are blessings from God too."

Jimmy thought for a moment. "Like help out at the food pantry after school?"

Mom nodded. "Exactly--that's one way we could give together as a family. Now, let's get to the park!"

–Naomi Zylstra

How About You?
How do you view the money and other blessings God has given you and your family? Do you share those blessings with others? God has given all of us everything we have, including different amounts of money, time, and energy. He wants us to enjoy what He's given us and also share those gifts with others. What are some ways you or your family could give money, time, or energy to show people God's love?

Today's Key Verse:
Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (NKJV) (Hebrews 13:16)

Today's Key Thought:
Share your blessings with others

Bible Reading: Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-7

Jackson was so excited he could hardly open his birthday gift. He hoped it was a puppet--something he'd been wanting ever since a ventriloquist had performed with one at a school event. He tore open the box. Sure enough, there was a puppet inside. His little sister, Jade, looked at it with wide-eyed wonder. "A doll!" she said. "Now we can play dolls together, Jax!"

"No way!" said Jackson. "This isn't a doll. It's a puppet like the one the guy had at our school carnival. Remember?"

"His puppet was alive," said Jade. "It could move and talk, but yours can't, can it?"

"It wasn't alive the way we are. That man made it move and talked for it." Jackson grinned. "Mine will come to life like that too! I'm naming him Vincent, and I'm going to learn to be a ventriloquist so I can make Vincent move and talk." Starting that day, Jackson began working hard to learn how to turn his puppet's head, move its mouth, and speak for it.

"Vincent is alive now, just like that man's puppet," Jade said several weeks later. Jackson beamed. He figured he was getting good enough to perform as a ventriloquist.

At family devotions one morning, Dad turned to the second chapter of Ephesians. "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins," he read.

Jade frowned. "What are trespasses?"

"They're the wrong things we do," said Jackson. "They're kinda the same thing as sins."

"Well, who was dead, then?" asked Jade.

"In a way, everyone was--and many still are," replied Dad. "God says we all do wrong things because we were born into sin, and sin makes us spiritually dead." He looked at Jackson. "People are like Vincent--Jackson's puppet. Vincent is entirely limp and lifeless except when Jackson speaks for him and operates his controls. Vincent needs Jackson to have any kind of life, and people need Jesus to have spiritual life. When we trust Jesus, He frees us from sin and makes us alive."

Jade smiled at her brother. "I like it when Jax makes Vincent alive."

"And it's even better when God makes us alive," said Dad with a smile. "Because the life He gives us is real, and it lasts forever."

–Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Are you alive? Or are you still dead in sin? Maybe you're trying your best to be really good so you'll go to heaven someday. But God says you're a sinner, and someone who is spiritually dead can't have eternal life with Him. You must be made alive through Jesus. If you haven't trusted Him as your Savior, do it today. Then you'll begin to truly live! (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:
And you He [God] made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. (NKJV) (Ephesians 2:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus makes you alive

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, 26-27

"Hi, Mom!" called Adalyn when she got home from school. She found her mother staring out the window, a sad expression on her face. "What's wrong?" asked Adalyn.

Mom sighed. "Aunt Mary called. They heard from your cousin Mackenzie for the first time since she left home."

"That's good, isn't it?" asked Adalyn. "They finally know where she is and that she's okay, right?"

"Yes, she called from some place in Texas," answered Mom. "But Mackenzie is making a terrible mistake. My heart aches for her and for Aunt Mary and Uncle John." Adalyn noticed tears in Mom's eyes.

"Well, I'm sorry for them too, but what can we do about it?" asked Adalyn. "Mackenzie's always had a lot of problems, and she won't listen to anyone." She turned and walked out of the room.

A moment later, Adalyn let out a loud wail. "Ohhh!" she cried. "Ouch!"

"Adalyn! What happened?" Mom hurried to the kitchen where Adalyn crouched on the floor, clutching her foot.

"I slammed my toe into that chair leg," moaned Adalyn. "It hurts so bad!"

Mom got an ice pack for Adalyn's injured toe. "That helps," said Adalyn after applying the ice. "But it still hurts a lot."

"I'm sorry," said Mom. "Just sit still until it feels better." She gave Adalyn a confused look. "But why such a fuss? It's just a little toe."

Adalyn blinked in surprise. "It makes me hurt all over!" she wailed.

Mom nodded and smiled a little. "I know it does. Your cousin is like that little toe. Mackenzie's trouble brings pain to all the members of her family."

Adalyn thought about it. "I guess you're right. But what can we do to help Aunt Mary and Uncle John?"

"We can pray for them," said Mom. "Whether it's for sore toes or broken hearts, Christians can pray for each other as we face sin and brokenness in our lives. Since Jesus brought us into God's family by dying for our sins, the pain and burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ affect us too, whether we realize it or not. And we can also pray for Mackenzie. Jesus loves her, and we can trust Him to help us show her that we love her too."

–Phyllis I. Klomparens

How About You?
Are you sensitive to the feelings of others? Or do you not pay much attention to other people's problems? God wants you to care about what others are going through, just like He cares about what you're going through. Christians are all part of His family, which the Bible calls the body of Christ. When one part of the body hurts, it affects all of us. Pray for those who are hurting, and do what you can to comfort them and show them you care.

Today's Key Verse:
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (NKJV) (Romans 12:15)

Today's Key Thought:
Share the pain of others

Bible Reading: Proverbs 11:25; Mark 10:42-45; Ephesians 2:8-10

Dana's mom turned off the main road onto a dirt driveway. A sign next to the driveway read "Hooves and Wheels." After she parked, Dana and her friend Christie climbed out of the minivan and ran to the big gray horse barn.

Mrs. Sikes, the director of the equine therapy program, met them inside. "I'm so glad you two are here! I sure could use help. Would you please groom Starr for the first class?" She pointed to a pony in a nearby stall.

Christie brushed Starr's reddish coat until it looked smooth and glossy while Dana scraped dirt and stones from each of the pony's hooves with a hoof pick. Christie placed a blanket and a saddle on Starr's back and tightened the girth under the pony's belly. Dana slipped a bridle over Starr's ears and placed a metal bit into his mouth. She led Starr to the mounting block.

At the bottom of a wooden ramp, a girl sat in a wheelchair. A woman stood beside her.

"This is Rebecca and her mom," Mrs. Sikes told them. She turned to the mother and daughter. "Dana and Christie are two of our volunteers."

Rebecca gave them a shy smile.

Dana had Starr stand still beside the platform. Mrs. Sikes pushed the wheelchair up the ramp, then she and another volunteer lifted Rebecca onto Starr's back. Rebecca held onto a leather handle as Starr was led to the riding ring. Christie and another volunteer walked on either side of Rebecca as she followed the riding instructor's directions--hands up, reach for Starr's ears, touch Starr's tail. When the lesson was over, Rebecca gave Starr a big kiss.

"I had a great time volunteering today," Dana told her parents at dinner. "Helping people makes me feel good."

Mom smiled. "That's because God created us to love Him, and one way we do that is by loving and serving others out of the love He has shown us. Jesus died on the cross for us, and He also served people in His day-to-day life when He was on earth. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and even washed His friends' feet."

"It's only out of God's love for us that we are able to love and serve others," Dad added.

That night before bed, Dana prayed. "Thank you, Jesus, for loving me first and giving me a fun way to help others!"

–Bonnie Carr

How About You?
Have you had the opportunity to love others by serving them? Did it make you feel good? That's no surprise--God created us to love Him and to share His love with others. Jesus showed us that love by becoming the Perfect Servant for us. He wants everyone to know His vast love, and one way we can share it with others is through service. Help others see God's great love for them by serving them like Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NLT) (Mark 10:45)

Today's Key Thought:
Love and serve others like Jesus