Keys for Kids Devotional Feed


Paper Grandpas

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

Ninety-Nine

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

The Monkey Trap

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

Storms of Life

Bible Reading: Isaiah 25:4-5

Gwen did a belly flop on her bed and began to sob uncontrollably. After a couple minutes, there was a light knocking on her door. "Come in," Gwen said into her pillow.

Mom sat down on the side of Gwen's bed. "I take it you didn't have a good day at school today?"

"It was the worst day ever!" Gwen said as she sat up in bed and tried to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"What happened? Does it have to do with the spelling bee?" Mom asked gently.

Gwen sniffed and nodded. "I got so nervous when it was my turn, I misspelled the easiest word. I spelled house H-O-W-S-E, and everyone in my class burst out laughing." The tears began flowing down her cheeks again.

Mom embraced Gwen in a hug and rubbed her back while she continued to cry. After a while, Gwen broke free and looked at her mom. "How am I ever going to show my face in school again? The kids are probably going to make fun of me for a long time. It was so embarrassing!"

"I know how hard it can be to face others when they might make fun of you, but remember that you're not alone. God is with you, and He will never leave you." Mom stood up and looked at the rain outside Gwen's window. "When it storms outside and we're inside the house, do we need to worry about getting wet?" Mom asked.

Gwen got up and joined her mom at the window. "No, because the house shelters us," she said as she watched the rain pour down and lightning light up the sky.

"Exactly, and God is our shelter when we face the storms of life. When others laugh at you or judge you, remember what God thinks of you--He loves you so much that Jesus came to earth and died for you! Trust Him to help you through this, and know that I'll be here to help too."

After Mom left her room, Gwen stood watching the storm outside. Dear Lord, please help me face this storm in my life, she silently prayed. Afterward she felt like she could face school the next day.

–Melissa Yeagle

How About You?
Are you going through a storm in your life? Are you relying on God to help you through it? He promises to never leave you and to be your shelter when storms come. No matter what you face--difficulties at school, problems at home, the loss of a friend or family member--He will be with you. Trust Him to shelter you in life's storms.

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

Today's Key Thought:
God is with you through life's storms

Sleeping Peacefully

Bible Reading: Psalms 63:6-8; 73:23-28

"How does she sleep like that?" Lennon asked, staring at her baby sister. Lennon had been having nightmares that just wouldn't stop. "How is she so peaceful?"

Mom smiled. "I think Lyric feels safe. I think she's pretty comfortable here with us." She shifted the baby in her arms. "If I put her down, then we might have issues."

Lennon wished she could sleep in her mom's arms. She would feel a lot safer then.

"Do you know who holds you when you sleep?" Mom asked, as if reading her thoughts. Lennon shook her head. "Jesus does," Mom said. "He holds each of those who trust in Him as we rest. He watches over us so we can feel peace, sort of like what I'm doing with little Lyric here."

Lennon's face scrunched up. "But I'm not a baby. You really think God holds someone like me?"

"Someone like you, someone like me." Dad stepped into the room. "God watches over us as we sleep." He moved to Mom and sat beside her, stroking his finger along Lyric's cheek.

Lennon looked between her parents. She knew they loved her and would do anything they could to protect her, but she wasn't a baby anymore. She didn't sleep in a crib in their bedroom like Lyric did.

Lennon twisted her hair around her finger. "Jesus is with me in my room when you two are across the hall with Lyric?"

"He is," Mom said.

"And He's there in the middle of the night when I wake up from a bad dream?" Lennon asked.

"He is," Dad said. "He loves us so much He died for us, and He is always present with those who have faith in Him. When we feel afraid, we can turn to Him for comfort and peace. And you can still come to us too, you know. We might have a newborn to look after now, but we're still here for you."

Lennon nodded. "God looks after a lot of kids, huh?"

Dad smiled. "Yes. Many more than we could ever look after."

Mom rocked Lyric in her arms. "And He offers each one the peace needed to sleep like a baby. Like this baby."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Have you ever struggled to sleep at night? Were you worried about something or scared to close your eyes in case you had a bad dream? The Bible tells us that we can find rest in the Lord. Jesus died for us so we could be with Him forever, and He is always with us. Trust Him to give you peace so you can rest, and when you struggle with worried thoughts or bad dreams, ask an adult for help too.

Today's Key Verse:
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV) (Psalm 4:8)

Today's Key Thought:
God holds you as you sleep
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