Bible Reading: Philippians 4:4, 11-13

It's not fair, Tayden thought as he pulled weeds out of the flower beds in front of his house. All my friends are at the water park today, but because I can't get the bandage on my foot wet, I'm stuck weeding. He thought of everything that had happened that week. First he cut his foot on a piece of glass and had to get stitches. Then his bike was stolen. And yesterday his best friend told him he couldn't come to Tayden's birthday party because his family would be on vacation then. What a horrible week, thought Tayden as he yanked another weed out of the ground.

Later that day Grandpa came over and looked at the garden Tayden had been weeding. "You did a good job," said Grandpa. He pointed to one of the flower beds. "Those bright pink blossoms sure are pretty."

Tayden looked at the flowers. "They must've just bloomed this afternoon. They weren't there when I weeded this morning."

Grandpa laughed. "Actually, I saw them when I was here a few days ago. They're so bright, I'm surprised you missed them."

"I guess I was too busy looking for weeds to notice them," said Tayden.

Grandpa nodded. "It's funny how our eyes miss things like that sometimes when we're not actively looking for them." He scratched his head in thought. "That can happen in life too. Sometimes we only see the weeds in our lives--the bad things that happen to us. We're so busy fretting and complaining that we don't notice the flowers--the good things God has put in our lives."

Wow! That sounds like me, thought Tayden as he recalled his thoughts earlier that day about what a bad week he'd had.

"Life is far from perfect," said Grandpa. "Yet we have so much to be thankful for. We have the hope of eternal life with Jesus, who gave His life to save us and be with us forever. He fills our lives with love, grace, joy, and other blessings every day, even when things are hard. If we only focus on the bad things, we might miss the beautiful blooms of God's blessings."

Tayden gave his grandfather a little smile. "Okay, Grandpa. I'll be on the lookout for the good things God has given me."

–Hannah Banura

How About You?
Do you often worry and complain about what's going on in your life? Does it seem like everything that happens to you is bad? Even though you may have some bad things to deal with, Jesus promises to help you. He died for your sins so you could experience the blessing of knowing Him as your Savior, and He fills your life with many daily blessings too. When you look for life's flowers, you'll soon see the many good things God has given you.

Today's Key Verse:
Be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." (NLT) (Hebrews 13:5)

Today's Key Thought:
Focus on good things

Bible Reading: Galatians 6:7-10

Mia and her brother Caden were getting ready to plant a small vegetable garden. "I'll get the seeds," said Caden. "They're in my room."

But Caden soon returned empty-handed. "I put the seeds on my desk, but they're gone!" he said. "Let's go ask Mom if she's seen them." Mia and Caden found Mom busily washing dirt off their little sister's face and arms. "How did Libby get so dirty?" asked Caden.

"She was playing outside--digging in the flower beds," Mom answered.

"I wasn't playing," said Libby. "I was planting a garden. I found the seeds on Caden's desk, so I planted 'em for you."

"You what?" Mia was shocked. "You don't know how to plant a garden!"

"Do too!" said Libby. "I dug a big hole and put all the seeds in it."

"They weren't yours!" yelled Mia. "You stole them, you little thief!"

"That's enough, Mia," said Mom.

"Well, she did!" Mia exclaimed. "And everybody hates thieves--including me!" She turned and ran to her room.

Mom came in a little later. "Mia, do you remember what we read this morning?"

"Um…something from the Bible about reaping what we sow," mumbled Mia.

"Yes," said Mom. "It was wrong of Libby to use those seeds, but what you planted was worse."

"I didn't plant anything," said Mia. "Libby stole our seeds, remember?"

"You planted a seed of hate between you and your sister," said Mom. "Do you want that seed to grow and reap hatred back from Libby?"

Mia sighed. "I…I didn't mean what I said. I was just mad."

"I know," said Mom. "But when we sow mean, angry words, it's going to have an effect on our relationships. That's why we need to trust Jesus to help us love others the way He does and be patient with them. Because He loved us enough to save us by dying for our sins, we can sow seeds of love in our relationships with others."

Mia nodded. "I'll tell Libby I'm sorry. And maybe we could buy some more seeds so I can teach her how to plant them the right way."

"I think that's a great idea," said Mom. "And I think you're learning how to plant some other seeds the right way too--seeds of kindness."

–Tiare A. Street

How About You?
What kind of seeds do you sow? How do you react when people do things you don't like? The Bible says you reap what you sow, meaning that what you plant in your relationships with others is what will grow over time. You sow seeds by the way you treat others. Trust God to help you sow seeds of love that will produce a fruitful harvest of the love He has shown you.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (NKJV) (Galatians 6:7)

Today's Key Thought:
You reap what you sow

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:19-21

Amelia looked down at her paint-splattered T-shirt and jeans and shook her head. "I'm trying to keep it on the wall."

Her dad grinned. "Me too, but look at my hair."

Amelia's eyes widened. "What if the blue never comes out?"

"Then I guess I'll have blue hair," Dad said.

"You two sound like you're having fun in here." Mom stepped into the doorway. "Mind if I join you?"

Amelia looked at her mom and giggled. "You have pink paint in your hair."

"I do?" Mom pulled her ponytail forward to see. "Oh, well. It will wash out."

Amelia dipped her roller in the paint pan. "I didn't know painting could be so much fun."

"I know," Mom said. "I think part of it is knowing we're doing this for someone else. I can't wait to see your cousins' faces when they see the freshly painted walls."

Dad nodded. "It feels good to do this for your aunt after all she's been through lately."

"It feels kind of like Christmas morning," Amelia said as she rolled more paint on the wall. "I thought I could only feel like that if I were getting something."

"Well, in a way, you are getting something," Dad said. "You know how the Bible tells us not to store treasures on earth but to store them in heaven? Today, helping out your aunt and cousins like this, you're storing up treasures in heaven."

"We store treasures in heaven by doing good things for others?" asked Amelia.

Dad nodded. "The Bible reminds us that earthly treasures don't last forever, but Jesus loved us so much that He died and rose again so we could be part of His eternal kingdom. When we do things for others to show them His love, God promises to use our loving deeds to build His kingdom. It's one way we store up treasures that last."

"I want to do stuff like this more often," Amelia said.

"I think that would be a great idea," said Mom. "We can find other ways to share God's love as a family."

Amelia smiled as she put one more stripe of paint on the wall, knowing her cousins were going to love their new room. She couldn't wait to do even more to serve others and store treasures in heaven.

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Do you ever take the time to do good things for others? When you serve others to show them the love of Jesus, you are storing treasure in heaven where it will last forever! Trust God to help you store up heavenly treasures by keeping your focus on Jesus and His kingdom and by showing others His love.

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

Today's Key Thought:
Do good to others

Bible Reading: John 8:31-36

"Grandpa, look at that one!" exclaimed Easton as a burst of colorful sparks filled the air. He watched in awe as the twirling sparks wove patterns of color in the sky as they made their way down to the earth. "It's the best one yet." The fireworks display was spectacular. Amid ohs and ahs from the crowd, a variety of reds, greens, yellows, blues, and blazing whites lit up the sky.

After the grand finale, Grandpa and Easton stood and stretched. "Do you know why we celebrate the Fourth of July?" asked Grandpa.

"Sure," replied Easton as they walked back to the car. "It's a special day that's set aside to celebrate our freedom and liberty."

Grandpa nodded. "We live in a country where we can choose what kind of work we want to do, travel where we want, say what we think, vote for those we want to be elected, and meet for public worship of God. Not everyone has those privileges."

"I know, Grandpa," said Easton. "I'm glad we can do those things here."

"I am too," said Grandpa. After a moment, he added, "But did you know, Easton, that the greatest freedom anyone can have is available to people in every country of the world?"

"It is?" asked Easton.

Grandpa nodded. "Unfortunately, many people don't know about that freedom," he said. "I'm talking about the freedom that Jesus Christ gives to everyone who trusts in Him. When we trust Him to forgive us for all the wrong things we've done and be our Savior, He makes us His children and frees us from the power and the punishment of sin. That's the most spectacular freedom anyone will ever have."

"Then we should celebrate that too," said Easton with a grin. "Can we have fireworks again tomorrow?"

Grandpa laughed. "That might not be a bad idea. We should certainly let the world know about this freedom and tell people that they can enjoy it too. All right. We'll have to think about a good way to celebrate our freedom in Christ, and then let's do it!"

–Linda E. Knight

How About You?
Do you celebrate the freedom from sin that Jesus gives? If you know Him as your Savior, you are truly free--you're no longer ruled by sin and you're free from its punishment. That's a reason to celebrate! Be as outspoken about your freedom in Christ as you are about the other freedoms you enjoy. Let others know they can have this freedom too!

Today's Key Verse:
If the Son [Jesus] sets you free, you are truly free. (NLT) (John 8:36)

Today's Key Thought:
Celebrate freedom in Christ

Bible Reading: Romans 4:5-8; Ephesians 2:8-9

"Gotcha!" Eli shouted as he took another of Adrian's game pieces off the board. Adrian groaned, then gave Eli a playful shove.

"Adrian," said Eli's mom as she came into the room, "you're welcome to stay for dinner if you'd like. I'm making roast chicken and biscuits."

"Really? Thanks!" said Adrian. "I love your cooking!"

"Call your mom and make sure it's okay," said Eli's mom. "Tell her we'll drop you off on our way to church--or you can come to church with us."

"Okay," said Adrian. After Eli's mom left, Adrian turned to Eli. "You sure have to work hard to be Christians, don't you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Eli.

"You go to church all the time," replied Adrian. "And you can't do certain things."

"But that's not what makes us Christians," said Eli. "Trusting that Jesus died and rose again to save us is the only thing that counts." Adrian just shrugged.

When Eli's mom called them into the kitchen, Adrian's mouth watered at the smell of the chicken and biscuits. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked. "Do you need help setting the table?"

"Nope," said Eli's mom. "Everything's already done." She picked up a steaming dish. "All you need to do is eat!"

They sat down and Eli's mom said a prayer, then she passed the chicken to Adrian. "This looks delicious!" he said as he stuck his fork into a leg. He bit into it and closed his eyes. "Wow. I could never cook like this!"

Eli's mom smiled. "Adrian, I overheard you say that being a Christian seems like a lot of work, but it's Jesus who did all the work. We go to church and trust God to help us do what's right because Jesus has saved us and we love Him, not to become Christians. Salvation--being saved from sin and having eternal life--is a gift from God." She passed the bowl of biscuits to Adrian. "It's just like this meal I made. You don't need to work for it. Just take it."

A smile spread across Adrian's face. "I think I will." He bit into a biscuit and chewed it thoughtfully. "Can I come to church with you tonight? I want to hear more about this gift from God."

–Esther M. Bailey

How About You?
Have you taken the gift of salvation? There's nothing you can do to earn a gift. You can't become a Christian by doing good things or going to church. You only become a Christian by accepting the gift of eternal life that Jesus died to give you. Receive that gift today by trusting 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:
The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) (Romans 6:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Receive God's gift of eternal life