Bible Reading: Psalms 16:9-11; 37:16-23; 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Blake gaped as the fanciest car he'd ever seen pulled in at Mr. Moore's repair shop. Out climbed Mr. Watson and his son Koby. "Hey, Koby," said Blake. "Wow! That's some car!"

"Yeah, but it's not running well," said Koby. Then while Mr. Moore and Koby's dad discussed the work needed on the car, Koby and Blake talked about school and sports.

"Koby, call your mother and ask her to pick us up," said Mr. Watson a little later. "The car will have to stay here a day or two to be fixed."

After Mrs. Watson picked up Koby and his dad, Blake turned to Mr. Moore. He had been helping at the shop all summer and loved learning about cars. "So, what's wrong with it?" Blake asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Mr. Moore said. "Mr. Watson said the engine is sluggish. It doesn't take off when he steps on the gas--it just pokes along without much spark." He opened the hood of the car. "I see that you and Mr. Watson's son know each other."

"Yeah, Koby's in my class at school, and he goes to church with a couple of my friends. They've been trying to get me to come to Bible club with them, but…" Blake shrugged. "I don't see the point of all that Jesus stuff. My life is good the way it is." He looked at the Watsons' car and sighed. "I doubt I'll ever be able to buy a car like that though."

Mr. Moore peered into the car. "You know, this car has a lot of fancy equipment, but Mr. Watson says it doesn't have much spark. Without spark, the rest of the car is pretty worthless. You can't drive it anywhere."

"Well, I'm sure Koby's dad can buy a new one if you can't fix it," said Blake.

"Maybe so," said Mr. Moore. "But the things we buy don't ever bring us true joy and satisfaction in life, do they? It sounds like Koby knows he needs Jesus for the true spark of joy in his life, and he wants you to have that spark too. I'll check the car over. I'm sure it'll have new life by the time I'm done with it. But we can't give ourselves the spark of new life we all need. Only God can do that."

–Daryl B. Knauer

How About You?
Do you have the spark of real joy in your life? True happiness doesn't come from having good looks or lots of money or from being smart and successful. Those things might make you feel good for a while, but lasting joy only comes from Jesus. He's the source of true happiness and everlasting life. Trust in Him. (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:
[Jesus said,] "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (NKJV) (John 14:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus gives new life and joy

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58; 1 John 5:4-5

"Bulls eye!" said Finn as his arrow hit the target.

"Cool! Let me try," begged his little brother. Finn smiled and handed the bow to Logan. The large bow felt awkward in Logan's hands, but he took careful aim and let the arrow fly. It didn't even reach the target.

"Here," said Finn. "I'll help you."

Logan shook his head. "I want to do it by myself. I just need to get closer." He moved several steps closer to the target and again sighted down the arrow. He slowly pulled back on the string and let go. This time the arrow went far enough, but it was way off course. After a few more tries, Logan was ready to give up.

"Here, I'll help you," Finn offered again. He leaned down and together the boys held the bow and arrow, slowly pulled the string back, and then released it. Logan heard the solid thud as the arrow made contact with the target--only half an inch away from the bull's eye. He tried again, but he could only hit the mark with Finn's help.

"I missed the mark every time," he told his mother a little later. "I can't hit the target unless Finn is helping me."

"That's okay. You'll learn." Mom closed the Bible she had been reading. "You know what? I miss the mark in what I'm doing too. Like you, I need someone's help to keep me on target."

"You do?" asked Logan, looking surprised.

Mom nodded. "Yes--and in more serious areas than a target in the backyard. Even though I'm a Christian, I still miss the mark and do wrong things. I sin. So…" She pointed to the Bible.

"You mean you need Jesus's help?" asked Logan.

Mom nodded again. "Jesus is the only one who can hit the mark. He never sinned, yet He died for our sins so we could have His righteousness--His goodness. Because we trust in Him, God sees Jesus's righteousness when He looks at us. And even though we still do wrong things, God forgives us and helps us turn from sin and do what's right." Mom smiled at Logan. "After a while you won't need Finn's help anymore to hit the target with a bow and arrow, but you'll always need Jesus's help to have victory over sin."

–Pauline Youd

How About You?
Are you a Christian but still find it hard to do the right thing? Maybe you have trouble telling the truth or controlling your temper. Don't give up. Like all Christians, you need help to have victory over sin--and that help is available! When you do something wrong, admit it to God and trust Him to help you and remind you of the victory you have over sin through Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV) (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Today's Key Thought:
God gives victory over sin

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:25-31; Matthew 6:25-27

Paige whipped open the screen door and ran down the hallway. "Mom! Mom!" she called. "Is it true?"

"Whoa! Settle down there, honey." Dad met her and put an arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, Dad--Caleb Grant said his mom doesn't have a job anymore, and that all the plant workers have been laid off. You too? You're home from work already, so it must be true!" Paige felt like she was going to cry. "Dad, if you don't have your job any more, how will we pay Lucy's doctor bills?"

Just then Mom came down the stairs with Lucy. The baby's eyes lit up when she saw Paige, and she eagerly held out her arms.

Paige took Lucy in her arms and held her close. She remembered the time when Lucy was so sick and often had to go to the hospital for treatments. She had been such a quiet and dull baby then--not at all like the bright, happy baby she was now. Paige squeezed her little sister even tighter in her arms.

Dad saw the tight hug Paige gave Lucy. "Paige, whose arms are holding Lucy?"

"Um, my arms are holding her, Dad," Paige said, looking confused.

"Is she safe in your arms?" asked Dad.

Paige looked hurt. "Of course she is, Dad. You and Mom taught me to be very careful with Lucy. Don't you trust me with her?"

Dad smiled. "I do trust you. But think about this--a few minutes ago, you were worried because I was out of work. I know that's a scary thought. I'll admit that Mom and I feel a little shaken up about it too, but we've decided that we're safe in the arms that are holding us."

Paige stared blankly at her father for a minute. Then she smiled. "God's arms," she said quietly. "Our family is in God's arms."

"That's right," said Dad. "Jesus died for us so that we could be safe in His arms for all eternity. Even though we now find ourselves in a scary, uncertain situation, we can trust Him to take care of us."

Paige nodded, knowing it was true that God would help them, no matter what happened with Dad's job.

–Pamela G. Jones

How About You?
Are you worried about the future? Maybe someone close to you lost their job or is very sick, and you're not sure what's going to happen. Don't forget that God knew it was going to happen before you did, and He knows what to do about it. No matter how the situation looks to you, remember that He promises to be with you. Rest in the everlasting arms of our eternal God.

Today's Key Verse:
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (NKJV) (Deuteronomy 33:27)

Today's Key Thought:
Rest in God's arms

Bible Reading: John 3:16-17; Ephesians 3:14-21

Cole couldn't help but grin at the excited look on his younger brother's face. They were on vacation, and Henry was super excited about the roller coaster they were about to ride. Cole was more interested in their planned trip to the beach that evening.

"There are so many people in line!" Henry's eyes were wide. "Does God love everyone in line?"

Their uncle smiled and put a hand on Henry's shoulder. "Everyone."

"Does he love everyone at the whole park?"

"Everyone," their uncle said again.

When it came time for them to ride, Cole let Henry and his uncle go together in the row in front of the one he took for himself. He was older than his brother and didn't mind going alone. As he rode, he looked out at all the people at the park. That was a lot of people for God to love.

When they parked at the beach that evening, Cole was the first one out of his uncle's truck. He saw the wooden path headed toward the beach and ran down it.

It was Cole's first time seeing the ocean, and his eyes widened as he saw just how big it was. "You can't even see across it!"

His uncle laughed. "It's a little bigger than my pond, huh?"

"It's even bigger than the lake you take us to!" Henry ran out into the water.

"Don't go too far out!" Their uncle jogged after him.

Cole stared at the water, right away noticing the peaceful sound of the waves hitting the shore. The ocean was huge. Like nothing he had ever seen before.

He thought of all the times he had heard people talk about God's love and compare it to the ocean. The ocean seemed endless, and God's love seemed to be too. It was big enough for God to send His own Son into the world so people could be saved and have eternal life with Jesus.

Cole watched his brother splash water toward their uncle and remembered Henry's questions at the amusement park. Could anyone's love really be that massive?

"Come on, Cole!" Henry motioned him over.

Cole started for the water, and he realized that God was unlike any human. He truly had endless love--and He wanted to share it with everyone.

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Do you know how much God loves you? He loves you so much that Jesus died for your sins--the wrong things you do--and then rose from the dead so you could have eternal life with Him. That's a lot of love! And God shows His love to you in other ways too, like by comforting you when you're sad and answering your prayers. No one could ever love you as much as God does. Thank Him for the great love He has for you.

Today's Key Verse:
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. (NIV) (Psalm 63:3)

Today's Key Thought:
God's love is big!

Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Ayden found his little brother Felix in the kitchen, standing in a mess of raw eggs.

"What happened?" asked Ayden.

Felix shrugged. "I wanted to see what would happen if I dropped a carton of eggs."

"You're in trouble."

Felix hung his head. "I know."

Mom would be down any minute. Ayden thought about helping Felix clean, but he didn't want Mom to think he was involved. "You'd better clean up before Mom sees."

Felix started cleaning. Ayden slipped into the other room. After a few minutes, Mom walked into the kitchen and gasped. Ayden couldn't help but listen.

"Felix, what's going on?" Mom asked.

"I dropped a carton of eggs. On purpose." At least Felix was honest. He sniffled. "I'm really sorry, Mom. I know I shouldn't have."

All was quiet. Then Mom said, "I forgive you."

Ayden peeked around the corner. Mom was on her hands and knees, helping Felix clean! This couldn't be happening. It wasn't fair.

Ayden stormed into the kitchen. "Why isn't Felix in trouble?" He avoided Felix's gaze. "I'm the one who always does what I'm supposed to. Why don't I ever get the attention?"

Mom gestured for Ayden to join them. He dragged his feet as he walked over. "I love both of you," Mom said. "Always. Whether you mess up or not." She kissed Ayden on the forehead, then Felix. "Felix was honest with me, and we can celebrate that. Just like we can celebrate that no one will dump eggs on my floor again. Right?"

Felix blushed. "Right."

A story from church came to Ayden's mind--the prodigal son. The younger son went off and made a mess of things, but when he came home, his father celebrated. The older son was angry his father hadn't celebrated him, since he'd been around all along. The older son had missed the point.

Ayden didn't want to miss the point. Mom loved him, and she loved Felix. And God also loved both of them. Jesus died for their wrongs so they could be God's children, and He would always love and forgive them, no matter what.

Ayden hugged Mom. "Can I help?"

Felix grinned. "Yes, please!"

Ayden grabbed a paper towel, and they got to work.

–Becca Wierwille

How About You?
Have you ever felt like Ayden--upset someone else has been forgiven when you've been doing the right thing all along? We don't have to worry about others receiving more love or forgiveness than us. We all mess up--we all sin by doing wrong things. But God loves us, no matter what. He offers His forgiveness to each of us, and He always celebrates when lost sinners are found.

Today's Key Verse:
"My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." (NIV) (Luke 15:31)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust that you are loved