Bible Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

Zebb leaned forward as he and his family traveled through the African game reserve. His excitement at seeing animals in their natural habitats was rapidly being replaced by frustration.

"There's a springbok!" said their guide, pointing out the window.

"Where?" Zebb strained to look in the direction the guide had indicated. "I don't see it." He plopped back in his seat. "Why am I the only one who can't spot any animals even after someone tells me where to look?"

"It's because they blend in so well with the trees and grass," said Mom. "But I'm sure you'll learn to spot the animals soon."

"I don't know," said Zebb. "If I had to depend on hunting them for food, I think I'd starve to death." He managed a weak smile.

Dad grinned at him. "God gave wild animals effective camouflage, didn't He? That's just the opposite of the way He wants us to be."

Zebb rolled his eyes. "Dad! No riddles right now. I'm having enough trouble trying to see the animals!"

"I think Dad is talking about Christians," said Mom. "He's saying that God doesn't want us to lead camouflaged lives."

"You got it!" Dad said. "God wants to shine His light, His love, and His good news to the world through us. He wants others to see Jesus by the way we live."

Zebb stared into the distance. "You're thinking about us going to Uncle Ron's house next week, aren't you?" Zebb knew his uncle didn't believe in Jesus.

Dad nodded. "I'm praying that Uncle Ron will see Jesus in us and decide he wants to get to know Him himself. Sometimes it can feel daunting to share the love of Jesus with others, but God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us. I'm praying He'll work through us to show Uncle Ron what Jesus is like and give us an opportunity to share the truth with him."

"Me too," said Zebb. Just then, he saw a flicker of movement near a tree. He focused all his attention on the spot and finally made out a shape. "I see a giraffe--no, a whole bunch of giraffes--in those trees over there!" Zebb beamed triumphantly. "Finally!" Looking at his dad, he said, "I hope people--especially Uncle Ron--won't have as much trouble seeing Jesus when they look at us."

–Linda Avallone

How About You?
Is it easy for others to see Jesus in you? Do the things you do and say reflect what Jesus would do and say if He were living on earth today? Trust Him to use your life to show those around you what He's like. Don't camouflage the fact that you know Jesus. Let others see that you have His Spirit in you and want to follow Him in all you do.

Today's Key Verse:
I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. (NLT) (Romans 1:16 )

Today's Key Thought:
Let others see Jesus in you

Bible Reading: Psalm 51:1-10

Brighton sprayed cleaning solution on the whiteboard in the room where she did her homeschool lessons. Then she took a cloth and wiped away all the colorful splotches left behind from the markers used on it. "There," she said. "That's better. Just erasing it doesn't get rid of all the marker spots, but cleaning it does!"

Mom smiled. "It looks brand new!"

That evening during family devotions--as she had been doing for the past few days--Brighton prayed for forgiveness for lying to her parents the week before. "I'm sorry I did that, Lord," she prayed. "Please forgive me and help me not to do it again."

Once again, Mom and Dad assured Brighton they forgave her, and that God did too. But Brighton wasn't sure. "When someone asks me to forgive them for something, I say I will, but sometimes I have trouble forgetting it," she told her parents. "I just want to be sure God knows I'm really sorry."

Later that evening, Brighton was surprised when Mom suggested she go clean her whiteboard before getting into bed.

"I wiped it down after school today," said Brighton. "It's clean."

"Well, why not do it again, just to make sure," said Mom.

"But I haven't even used it since I cleaned it! If I had just erased it, you'd probably still see some marker smears--sometimes you can even figure out what words were erased. But I washed it with cleaning stuff. You said yourself that it looked brand new."

Mom nodded. "When we confess a sin to another person, it's a bit like erasing your board. They generally forgive us, but sometimes they have trouble forgetting it--and we do too. But God isn't like that. When we confess a sin to Him, it's like wiping your board down with the cleaning solution. Our sin is totally removed--every bit is washed away! And God promises that He not only forgives that sin, but He sees us as totally clean and new again."

Brighton liked that. And when she prayed during devotions the following night, she omitted her usual confession about lying. God had already forgiven and forgotten that sin. All she needed to do was remember His promises.

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Have you ever felt like you needed to keep asking God to forgive something you did wrong? You don't need to. The Bible uses several illustrations to show He forgives your sins--casting them into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19), washing them away (Psalm 51:7), and removing and forgetting them (Hebrews 8:12). Believe what He says. Confess your sin and then trust Him to forgive you.

Today's Key Verse:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV) (1 John 1:9)

Today's Key Thought:
God forgives sin

Bible Reading: Mark 12:28-31

Macy glanced at her brother and made a face as Mrs. Jackson from next door stepped into their yard. Here we go again, she thought. Their neighbor was always mad about something.

Mom got up from the porch swing. "Hello," she said in a cheerful voice.

Mrs. Jackson harrumphed. "I thought I heard your kids screaming."

Mom glanced at Macy and Jace. "Not today."

"Well, keep them quiet when it starts to get late like this. I haven't been feeling well and need my sleep," Mrs. Jackson said.

Mom's brows knit together. "I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. Is there anything we can do for you?"

Mrs. Jackson shook her head. "Just keep your kids quiet." She turned and marched back to her yard.

"I hope you feel better," Mom called after her.

"Why are you so nice to her, Mom?" Macy asked.

"Yeah," Jace said. "She's only ever grumpy and mean to us."

Mom turned toward them. "Sometimes it's when people are acting grumpy and mean that they need love and grace the most."

"Love?" Jace wrinkled his nose.

"She doesn't seem like she's deserving of it all the time, I know. But then again, neither are we." Mom sat on the porch swing between them. "God chose to love us even though we're not perfect. We all make mistakes, right?"

Macy thought about how often she fought with her brother, especially when they were playing board games. "Yeah."

Mom nodded. "God loves us in spite of our mistakes, and we should show love to others despite how they might treat us too. When we show them love and grace, we're showing them Jesus."

"I want to be like Jesus," Macy said.

Jace glanced at her. "Even if it means being nice to Mrs. Jackson?"

"Yeah." Macy sighed. "That's going to be hard."

Mom squeezed her hand. "But not impossible. You can trust Jesus to help you love others the way He loves you."

"I will," Macy said. She wanted to be loving like Jesus, even if it meant putting up with her cranky neighbor.

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Do you know someone who only ever seems to be in a bad mood? Sometimes people who are grumpy or mean act that way because they're hurting. That doesn't excuse their actions, but it can help you remember that they need love too. God shows us love and grace when we don't deserve it, and He will help us do the same for others. Trust Him to help you love your neighbors the way Jesus loves you.

Today's Key Verse:
Love your neighbor as yourself. (NIV) (Mark 12:31)

Today's Key Thought:
Everyone needs love

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:28-33

"Mom, what if Dad can't find another job?" Selah was sitting with Mom on the porch, helping shuck corn for supper. Dad had been out of work for months, and even though her parents were still in good spirits, Selah could tell that money was starting to get tight.

Mom smiled at her question. "The Lord will provide for us," she said confidently

as she tore off another cornhusk.

Selah smiled as her kitten, Max, came bounding around the corner and started batting at the pieces they were dropping on the ground. She still couldn't help but think about the things they would have to give up if Dad didn't find a job soon.

Mom looked at the kitten, then looked at Selah. "Selah, did you feed Max today?"

Selah looked surprised. "Yes, of course. I feed him every day!"

Mom smiled. "Why do you feed him?"

Selah picked up Max and put him on her lap. "I love him, and he needs food every day," she explained. "Why do you ask?"

"Your kitten reminds me of a verse in the Bible," said Mom. "It's about how we don't need to worry about what we eat or what we wear, because the Lord will provide for us. We just need to trust that He will keep His promises."

Selah looked down at Max. He was so small--he would never be able to find food on his own. "So, Max trusts me to provide for him like we need to trust God to provide for us."

"Exactly," said Mom. "And this corn we're shucking is just one way the Lord has provided for us today."

Selah looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"The Thomas family from church grew this corn in the field behind their house," Mom explained. "They had so much that they gave us a whole basketful!"

"Wow." Selah rubbed Max's fur as he stretched out in her lap. "I guess God really

is taking care of us!"

Mom nodded. "God provided for our greatest need of all by sending Jesus to be our Savior. He gave us His own Son, and we can trust Him to give us what we need each day too. This corn we eat with dinner can remind us of all the incredible ways God provides for us."

–Emily Tenter

How About You?
Do you trust God to take care of all your needs? Or do you spend a lot of time worrying about them? God promises to look after His children and care for them. When we needed a Savior, He sent His Son to die for our sins so we could be saved. You can trust Him to provide everything you need. Give your worries and burdens to Him and let Him take care of you.

Today's Key Verse:
My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (NIV) (Philippians 4:19)

Today's Key Thought:
God provides

Bible Reading: Psalm 56:3-4; Isaiah 26:3-4; Romans 8:35-39

Editor's note: This story addresses violence and may not be suitable for some children.

Kendall sat on her bed and looked at her mother. "Can't we just stay home?" she asked. "I don't want to go downtown. I'm still scared." There had been a shooting in the city a few weeks before, and Kendall wasn't sure she ever wanted to go out in public again.

"Kendall," said Mom, "I understand you're scared, but we can't just hide at home for the rest of our lives."

Kendall slowly got up and went to the window. Looking out, she noticed a little dove all alone on the balcony. It rested peacefully until two large pigeons landed nearby. The young dove began cooing loudly in alarm. Kendall frowned. "If only that little dove had stayed in its nest, it would be safe." Before Mom could answer, the mother dove appeared and the curious pigeons flew away.

Mom gently stroked Kendall's hair. "Honey, that little dove was never really left alone. Its mother was always watching."

Kendall sighed and pressed her forehead against the window. "I wish we had someone to watch and protect us wherever we go so I wouldn't be scared," said Kendall. "Like a bodyguard."

"Oh, there's someone much better than a bodyguard looking out for you, Kendall," said Mom. "You're God's child, and He is constantly caring for you. He loves you, and He'll always be with you no matter where you go."

"But we can't be sure He'll keep us safe, can we?" asked Kendall. "I mean, sometimes Christians get hurt too."

"That's true," said Mom. "We can't understand why He allows some things to happen, but nothing can happen that He doesn't allow. And no matter what happens, He promises to be with us. Jesus died and rose again so we could be God's children and live with Him forever. So even though terrible things happen sometimes, we don't need to be afraid, because God has promised us eternal life with Him, and nothing can take that away from us."

Kendall thought about what her mother said. "So since God is my Father and He's with me, I don't need to be afraid anymore, even though the world is such a scary place."

Mom nodded. "God watches over you every moment. Trust Him. He'll never leave your side."

–Suzanne Daly

How About You?
Do you live in fear because of the terrible things that happen in the world? Are you afraid to leave your house? If you're a child of God, you don't need to live in fear and dread. You're never out of God's sight, and nothing can ever separate you from Him. Nothing that happens ever takes Him by surprise. Trust Him and know He's watching over you.

Today's Key Verse:
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. (NKJV) (Psalm 34:15)

Today's Key Thought:
God sees and cares for you