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

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