Bible Reading: Exodus 20:1-17; Romans 8:1-4

Tristan sighed as the bell signaling the end of recess rang. "Come on," he said to his friend Aria. "We'd better hurry or we'll get in trouble."

"Yeah," Aria said. "Mrs. McGinn is so strict. Her rules are impossible!"

As Tristan worked on his math that afternoon, his pencil point broke. He tapped Aria on the shoulder. "Do you have an extra pencil?" he whispered.

"Tristan," said Mrs. McGinn sternly, "you know the rule about not whispering in class. You broke that rule, so you will stay inside during morning recess tomorrow." Tristan tried to explain, but it was no use.

When Tristan told his parents about it, Mom shook her head. "I'm sorry your teacher is so strict and didn't listen to what you had to say," she said. "But you knew the rule, and you broke it. Next time ask Mrs. McGinn for a pencil instead of Aria."

Dad picked up his Bible. "Ready for family devotions? I believe we're up to Exodus 20, and it's your turn to read, Tristan."

Tristan took the Bible and began to read. "More rules!" he exclaimed after reading several verses.

Dad nodded. "These rules are called the Ten Commandments. They were given to the Israelites as part of God's law. The Bible also tells what the punishments would be if the Israelites disobeyed them."

"Is it as bad as Mrs. McGinn's?" asked Tristan.

"Much worse. Sin is a terrible offense against God, and sometimes the punishment was death," said Mom. "In fact, the final punishment for sin--for all people--is eternal death. That's punishment in hell forever."

"But because God loves us, He offers us grace instead of the punishment we deserve," said Dad. "We've all done things that are wrong and are therefore guilty of breaking God's law. But Jesus took the punishment for our sin when He died on the cross. When we trust in Him, He forgives our sins and gives us eternal life with Him."

Mom nodded. "Because of God's grace, we don't need to fear eternal punishment. Jesus took that for us."

Tristan smiled. "It would be nice if someone would take my punishment from Mrs. McGinn too," he said. "But at least it won't last forever!"

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Have you heard of the Ten Commandments? They are listed in Exodus 20 and are part of God's law. Take a moment to read through them. Have you ever broken any of those commands? Then you have broken God's law and deserve to be punished. But guess what? Jesus took that punishment for you! Trust in Him, and you will receive God's grace and be given eternal life. (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:
Those who belong to Christ will not suffer the punishment of sin. (NLV) (Romans 8:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus took your punishment

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:17-25

"Hi, Dad," Zander said as he entered his father's workshop. "Can you help me build a birdhouse now?"

Dad looked up. "I'm ready if you are. Let's pick out some wood." He led the way to the bin of scrap wood. "I thought you were playing with Landon today."

"He left," said Zander. "I wanted to do this, so I told him I had homework to do."

Dad frowned as they carried several pieces of wood over to the workbench. "You mean you lied to Landon?"

"Not really. I do have homework, but I'll do it after we finish the birdhouse."

"But you purposely led Landon to believe that you were going to do the homework now. That's a form of lying, Zander."

Zander shrugged. "Well, what was I supposed to say? 'Go home. I don't want to play with you anymore'?" He handed Dad a board. "Anyway, it was just a little lie. It won't hurt Landon's feelings or anything. He'll never know."

"All lies hurt the people who tell them," said Dad. "You could have just explained that you wanted time to work with me before doing your homework." He held up the piece of wood Zander had just handed him, and using both hands, he easily cracked it in half. Zander watched, wide-eyed. "Look closely at this wood," said Dad, holding the pieces out to him.

Zander looked and saw several tunnels crisscrossing through the place where it had split. "Wow! I guess those tunnels made the wood weak. I could probably have split it myself! What caused that?"

"Possibly carpenter ants," said Dad. "They eat away at wood until it's weak and easily breaks apart." He looked at Zander thoughtfully. "Ants are little, but they can do a lot of damage. Lies are like that too. Lies--even so-called little ones--eat away at our truthfulness. As Christians, we're called to be like Jesus, who always tells us the truth, and His truth transforms us. He gives us the power to be truthful too so our lives point to Him and His love for us."

Zander was startled. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "Should I text Landon and tell him to come back?" He thought about it a moment. "That's what I'll do. He can help us with this birdhouse!"

–Daryl B. Knauer

How About You?
Do you think it's okay to tell little white lies? Do you figure they won't hurt anyone? They do hurt--and even if no one else finds out, they still hurt you. When you tell lies--big or small--you are not being truthful like Jesus, who speaks the truth to us out of love in His Word, the Bible. Being honest isn't always easy, but God will help you love others and tell them the truth.

Today's Key Verse:
Do not lie to one another. (NKJV) (Colossians 3:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Be truthful like Jesus

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:3-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Astrid plopped down on the porch swing. She looked up as her Uncle Tim came up the porch steps. "Hi, Astrid," he said. "Do I see a frown on this beautiful day? What's up?"

Astrid sighed. "My friend Ella's rich grandpa paid for a vacation in Florida for her whole family. I heard all the details at least a hundred times! Why can't I have a rich grandpa too, instead of just paper ones?"

"Paper grandpas? What do you mean?" asked Uncle Tim.

"Well, Grandpa Jerry's picture has been standing on the desk for as long as I can remember, and that's all I know of him. And my other grandpa died so long ago that I can't remember him either. We just have pictures of them--paper grandpas."

Uncle Tim frowned. "You have an awfully poor reason for wanting a grandpa," he said, and Astrid looked down at her feet. "Both of your grandpas are in heaven, Astrid. They might not be able to show you how much they love you in the same way Ella's grandpa can show her, but they gave you something much better than a trip to Florida."

Astrid looked at her uncle with wide eyes. "They did?"

Uncle Tim nodded. "Grandpa Jerry loved me in a way that helped me realize how much God loves me. He prayed for me throughout my life--and he prayed for you too, even if you weren't old enough to remember. He prayed that you would believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and trust Him as your Savior so you would be with Him forever." Uncle Tim smiled at Astrid. "I guess neither of your grandpas had a lot of money, but they had something much more important. Their greatest hope and prayer was that all their family members would recognize the depth of Jesus's love for them."

Astrid gave her uncle a little smile. "I trust in Jesus," she said. "When Ella comes back from Florida, maybe I should tell her about my grandpas and how I can't wait to see them in heaven someday."

"Good idea." Uncle Tim grinned. "Your grandpas may just be pictures to you now, but when you meet them in heaven, they won't be paper grandpas anymore."

–Phyllis I. Klomparens

How About You?
What do you value in your parents or grandparents? Is it the things they can give you in this life? Or have they taught you that, for Christians, the best is yet to come? Thank God for the Christians He's put in your life who show you His love and pray for you. Even if some of them aren't with you anymore, one day you'll be able to thank them too for pointing you to Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
I thank my God every time I remember you. (NIV) (Philippians 1:3 )

Today's Key Thought:
Be thankful for Christians who love you

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:12-14

Rain pelted against Jack's face as he tried to ride his bike. Three more blocks and he would be home. However, it seemed like he wasn't getting anywhere with the wind pressing against him. He peddled hard but wasn't moving fast.

It's even hard to see, Jack thought and finally pulled to the side of the road. There was a big tree on the corner of the street, and he parked his bike under it so he'd be out of the rain.

Jack shivered as he stood there, his T-shirt and jeans soaked. If only he had taken his friend's mom's offer of a ride home instead of biking back.

Jack took a seat on the damp grass and leaned back against the tree. How long is the rain going to last? he thought. What if it keeps raining like this all night? "God, please help me," Jack whispered.

He had been sitting there for a while when headlights came down the road. A vehicle pulled to the curb, and Jack's eyes filled with tears of relief when he saw his dad climb out.

"Jack!" His dad ran to him through the rain.

Jack hugged him. "You came for me!"

"Of course I did," Dad said. "Your friend's mom called when it started raining. We were worried about you."

"Thanks for finding me, Dad."

"Anytime." Dad smiled at him. "I would leave the ninety-nine for you, you know."

Jack's brow wrinkled for a moment, but then he got it. "You mean, like in the Bible?"

Dad nodded as he wheeled the bike to his truck. "Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to find the one who was lost. That's how He loves us as our Good Shepherd--when we were lost in the darkness of sin, He came to find us. And it's also the way I love you. I will always come to help you, and Jesus will always be there for you whenever you feel lost or alone."

"I prayed when I was alone," Jack said. "Then God sent you."

Dad smiled. "See? God was with you. He knew you were in trouble and He helped you."

Jack climbed into the warm van and returned his dad's smile. "I'm glad you and God care about me."

–Bethany Acker

How About You?
Have you ever felt lost, alone, and afraid? Did you cry out to God and ask Him to help you? Jesus tells us that He is our Good Shepherd who came to find us and help us when we were lost and alone, and He promises to always be with us. Trust Him to take care of you, and thank Him for parents and other adults in your life who show you His love and care by always looking out for you too.

Today's Key Verse:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV) (Isaiah 41:10 )

Today's Key Thought:
God will always help you

Bible Reading: Luke 12:16-21, 31

"Hey, you want a monkey for a pet?" asked Anthony's friend Obi one day.

"Sure, but how would I catch one?" asked Anthony. He and his parents had recently arrived in Africa as missionaries.

"It's easy. You trap him," said Obi, handing Anthony a gourd. "First, make a hole in this gourd--make it just big enough for a monkey to put his paw through." He supervised while Anthony worked. "Okay," Obi said, "that's big enough. The gourd is hollow, so now we'll put some fruit in it. Then we'll fasten it to the branch of a tree at the edge of the village."

"I don't get it," said Anthony. "How will this work? Even if a monkey reaches into the gourd to get the fruit, what will keep him from getting away with it? Doesn't the trap have to slam shut or something?"

Obi shook his head. "When the monkey has the fruit in his fist, his paw won't go through the hole. If he'd just let it go, he could get away, but they usually don't do that. I guess they want the fruit so bad they hang on even though it means they get caught."

Soon the trap was ready. The boys walked to the tree Obi had selected and attached the gourd to a branch. "There. By tomorrow morning, you'll probably have a monkey," said Obi.

Back home, Anthony told his mother how the monkeys foolishly held on to the fruit instead of letting it go and getting away. Mom laughed. "Do you know I used to be just as foolish myself?"

"You were?" Anthony was surprised.

"I wanted certain things," Mom explained. "A nice home, pretty clothes, a nice car, a grassy lawn. I wanted to hang on to those things--I didn't want to give them up and come here, even though your dad and I sensed God calling us to move to Africa. But the Lord helped me let go of those things by showing me I already had something much better--a relationship with Him and the promise of eternal life. I've never been as happy as I am here in Africa, sharing the good news of Jesus with the people I meet."

Anthony looked around their new home and smiled. "God really wants what's best for us, huh, Mom?"

Mom nodded. "Yes, He truly does."

–Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
What things do you want badly? Good grades? Nice stuff? Money? It's not bad to want things like that, but don't let them become a trap that distracts you from what truly matters. If you know Jesus, you already have the best thing of all--eternal life with Him. So don't set your heart on the things of this world. Instead, be willing to let them go as you trust God to lead you in His will for your life.

Today's Key Verse:
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (NKJV) (Colossians 3:2)

Today's Key Thought:
Love God, not possessions