Bible Reading: Matthew 18:12-14

"Frank! Frank, come here, boy!" Zebb stepped back into the house and closed the sliding door with a sigh. "I think he ran away again. I've called him and called him, and he still hasn't come!"

Mom looked up from her computer and frowned. "Oh no. Dad must have forgotten to put his invisible fence collar back on after his bath." Zebb was looking out the window anxiously and ringing his hands together, so Mom closed her laptop and gave him an encouraging smile. "Why don't you put your boots on and we'll go look for him before dinner."

As mom drove the car slowly around their neighborhood, Zebb looked out the window. "I don't understand why he always wants to run away. Doesn't he know how much we love him?"

"He knows," Mom assured him. "Frank is just a dog who likes to run."

After thirty minutes of searching, Zebb was blinking back tears. Mom reached over and squeezed his hand. "You know what I always think of when Frank runs away and we have to go search for him?"

"What?" Zebb asked, swiping at tears with the back of his hand.

"I think of a parable Jesus told in the Bible about a shepherd who goes after one lost sheep. He drops everything to go and save the sheep, even leaving ninety-nine others behind to go search! And when he finds the sheep, he isn't angry. The shepherd rejoices! That's how God reacts when His children are found."

"I like that story," Zebb said. "It's nice to think that Jesus would search for me like I search for Frank."

Mom nodded. "Jesus is our Good Shepherd who came to earth and died to rescue us from sin. He loves us and will always come find us when we wander off."

As they continued searching for Frank, Zebb thought about God's love for him and how big it was. He also prayed that God would keep Frank safe, wherever he was.

A few minutes later Mom's phone rang. "Hello?" she said. "Oh, that's wonderful news, thank you. We'll be right there!" She hung up the phone and turned the car around. "That was one of our neighbors. They have Frank safe and sound at their house. Let's go get our boy!"

–Emily Tenter

How About You?
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who searches for His one lost sheep? Jesus is trustworthy. He died and rose again to save you from sin, and when you wander off and try to go your own way, He will come find you and offer you grace and forgiveness. He promises He will always love you and help you, no matter what. Rest in the great love He has for you.

Today's Key Verse:
If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not…look for the one that wandered off? (NIV) (Matthew 18:12)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus will come find you

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-15

"You brought my favorite board game!" exclaimed Hattie and Cleo's uncle when they came to visit him in the hospital. The girls happily set it up, and they were playing when a man entered the room. "Hi, Kyle," said Uncle Dale cheerfully. "Hattie, Cleo--meet Kyle Turner." The girls smiled and waved. "Kyle comes to see me every day and we read the Bible together," Uncle Dale explained.

"Don't let me interrupt you," said Kyle. "I have some errands to run. I'll come back in a little while."

"That's fine," said Uncle Dale. "Don't forget!"

"No chance!" Kyle called on his way out.

The girls were silent for a moment. "Kyle Turner," murmured Hattie. She frowned. "I know that name! He's the man who caused your accident, isn't he?" She looked at her uncle. "Why are you friends with him? It's his fault you can't walk!"

"I was really angry right after the accident," admitted Uncle Dale. "Then I read Colossians 3:13 during my devotions one day." He picked up his Bible from the bedside table. "Here, Cleo. Will you find that verse in my Bible?"

Cleo quickly found the verse. "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

"Not too long after I read that verse, Kyle came to my room," said Uncle Dale. "I sure had a grievance against him! But he asked me to forgive him." Uncle Dale cleared his throat. "God helped me do that and used the accident to help both Kyle and me grow in our relationship with Jesus," he said quietly.

Hattie had tears in her eyes. "I just don't think I can forgive Kyle," she said. "Is there something wrong with me, Uncle Dale?"

"Nothing that God can't cure," her uncle assured her. "You love me and don't like to see me hurt--that's natural. Forgiving isn't always easy, but we can depend on Jesus for help. He forgave us for all our sins, and He gives us the power to forgive others, even when it's hard." Uncle Dale smiled. "I know--why don't you girls stay for my Bible study with Kyle? I'd like you to get to know him better."

The girls glanced at each other. "Well…okay," said Hattie, and Cleo nodded.

–Alyssa Liljequis

How About You?
Has someone hurt you so badly that you feel like you can't forgive them?* Remember that you've done wrong things too, but if you trust Jesus as your Savior, He's forgiven you even though you don't deserve it. Show others the forgiveness that comes from Jesus by forgiving them when they hurt you. *If you're struggling with the hurt someone has caused you, talk to a trusted adult.

Today's Key Verse:
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV) (Colossians 3:13)

Today's Key Thought:
Forgive others as Christ forgave you

Bible Reading: Romans 14:7-13

Hattie lay on her bed in the dark, thinking about Uncle Dale. He was in the hospital, badly hurt. He might even die. "Cleo," she whispered, "are you asleep?"

"No," came the answer from the other bed. "I wish Mom and Dad would get home from the hospital."

"Dad said the driver of the other car was drunk." Hattie's voice broke. She sobbed softly. "It's not fair! Uncle Dale might die, and that other man is walking around perfectly okay."

When their parents finally arrived home, the girls were still awake. Dad came and knelt between their beds. "First," he said, "I want you to know that Uncle Dale is doing a little better. And I met the driver of the other car tonight. He's very sorry and upset."

"Well, he should be," said Cleo. "That man should be put in jail--forever!"

"He may have to go to jail," said Dad. "He told me he was a Christian, but--"

"I don't believe that!" Hattie interrupted.

"He said his friends talked him into drinking tonight," Dad continued. "He could have chosen not to drink and drive, but he didn't. Now he's very sorry, but he can't take back what happened. He knows he deserves to be punished."

"No Christian would do what he did," said Hattie.

"Christians sin, Hattie," Dad reminded her. "We all do things that are wrong, and people are affected by our actions whether we like to think so or not."

"I guess that's true," said Cleo. "Remember when my friend Sophie didn't want to come to Bible club with me at first? She said it was because Christians weren't any different from other people. She knew some Christian kids who lied and cheated on tests and did stuff like that just as much as other kids did."

Dad nodded. "Our sins don't just affect us--they affect others too. Sometimes they hurt someone else directly, like what happened to Uncle Dale when that man decided to drink and drive tonight. Other times they hurt others' perception of what it means to be a Christian. The good news is that Jesus promises to forgive our wrongs and help us do what's right. The next time you're tempted to do something you shouldn't, think of who else it might hurt besides you. Then trust God to help you make the right decision."

–Alyssa Liljequis

How About You?
Do you think your sin isn't hurting anyone? Every time you do something wrong, it affects others. Things like drugs, drunkenness, and stealing can ruin whole families. But things like lying, cheating, and laughing at others cause deep hurts too. Whenever you're tempted to do something wrong, trust God to help you do the right thing so your actions won't hurt others or yourself.

Today's Key Verse:
None of us lives for ourselves alone. (NIV) (Romans 14:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Your sin affects others

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1

Devin was playing on his tablet when it suddenly went dark. "Mom," he called, "my time ran out. Can I please have more time? I want to finish building my defenses."

"Sorry, Devin," Mom answered. "You've had enough time on the tablet today."

"Please, Mom!" Devin begged, but Mom quietly shook her head no. Devin sighed. "Fine," he said. "I'll go see what Ellery's doing."

Devin found Ellery in the kitchen and quickly sneaked one of the delicious-looking deviled eggs she was making before she could stop him. As he started to swallow, he gagged on the egg and spit it out in the sink.

"Hey!" Ellery cried. "Don't be mean. I worked hard on those eggs."

"No, Maddy, I'm serious!" Devin exclaimed. "You try one." Ellery tried one and quickly spit hers out too. "They're so salty! I followed the recipe though. It said to put in a quarter cup of salt."

Devin looked at the recipe. "Ellery, you read it wrong. It only takes a quarter teaspoon of salt. No wonder they're so salty!"

The kids looked at each other. "Dad needs one!" They brought an egg to Dad, who eagerly took a bite, but couldn't swallow it. Then Ellery produced a bowl and a glass of water from behind her back, and Dad quickly spit the egg in the bowl and took a long drink of water.

After the kids' giggles quieted down, Dad said, "Devin, this egg reminds me of your conversation with Mom earlier. Just like the right amount of salt enhances the flavor of the eggs, your games can enhance your life and help you learn. But with too much salt, the eggs were ruined, and too many games on your tablet can be harmful to you."

"So it's possible to have too much of a good thing?" asked Devin.

Dad nodded. "Jesus loves us and set us free from sin, and He wants us to enjoy good, fun things in our lives. But we need to do them in moderation. If they keep us from doing other good things, like caring for others and spending time with them, it's too much. It might not look the same every time, but you can pray about it and ask God to help you make good decisions about how you spend your time." Dad winked. "And your parents are happy to help too."

–Myrical Barton

How About You?
When you find something you enjoy, do you spend all your time doing that one thing? God wants you to enjoy fun things in your life, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing. If something is causing you to neglect your responsibilities or your relationships with God, family, or friends, it's too much. Ask God to give you wisdom and to help you do the things you enjoy in moderation.

Today's Key Verse:
You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. (NLT) (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Do things in moderation

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34

Lilly loved volunteering at the animal shelter with Granddaddy in the summer. Chipper was her new favorite rescue dog. Every Saturday they came to walk, bathe, feed, and play with him.

Lilly brushed the knots out of Chipper's fur. "Hold still, Chipper!" she said. "There. He's ready for his bath. Do you have another dog treat?" Lilly asked her grandfather.

"Oops, they're all gone. Let me find some more," Granddaddy said.

Lilly hoped Granddaddy could find more treats. She thought about her empty fridge at home.

Granddaddy returned with a small bag in his hand. "Found some."

"Oh good. I don't want him to starve." Lilly's stomach rumbled.

"Sounds like someone else is hungry," Granddaddy said as he put Chipper into the bathtub.

"I'm okay." Lilly sighed. She remembered Mommy said they wouldn't have much this month. Mommy had to work two jobs now that Daddy left. Would they have everything they need?

"Did you know that God takes care of all the animals, even Chipper?" asked Granddaddy. He smiled at Lilly's questioning look. "God gives the birds worms to eat. He gives them trees and barns to live in. And he gave Chipper you!"

"He did. I love Chipper so much!" Lilly said as she rinsed the suds out of Chipper's fur.

"Did you know God loves you even more than you love Chipper?"

"He does?"

"He sure does. God gave us His Son, Jesus, so we could be saved from sin, and He wants to take care of you. I know things have been hard this month, Lilly. But don't worry. God gave you Mommy and me to take care of you because He loves you. God also gives us people who help by bringing food to share with others, like at church and food pantries."

"God gave us people to share their food?" Lilly turned off the water.

"That's right! He takes care of us because He loves us so much."

Chipper jumped out of the bathtub and shook. Water flew all over Lilly and Granddaddy.

Lilly laughed. "And I love taking care of Chipper!"

–Jennifer Wilson

How About You?
Do you worry about having everything you need? Maybe a parent has lost a job or your parents divorced, and things are tough. If you know Jesus, God is your heavenly Father, and He promises to take care of His children. God provides for our needs in many different ways, such as through family and friends, people at church, and even places like food pantries. If you have a need, talk to God about it. Then trust Him to provide for you.

Today's Key Verse:
Don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. (CSB) (Matthew 6:34)

Today's Key Thought:
God takes care of us