Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-4; Titus 3:1-2

As his parents discussed plans for the coming weekend, Nolan took another helping of potatoes. "Hey! Pass the gravy," he said, interrupting their conversation. "And the salt too."

Dad frowned at him. "Didn't you notice that your mother and I were talking? You interrupted us. And whatever happened to saying 'please'?"

"Well, sorry," said Nolan. "But I need more gravy."

Mom shook her head. "Nolan, you're being very rude. That's been happening too much lately."

Nolan rolled his eyes. "It's not like we're out in a restaurant or at somebody's house or anything."

"You mean you'd use better manners in a restaurant?" asked Dad.

"Sure," said Nolan. "I try to remember to be polite when I'm with other people, but you don't expect me to be all proper around here at home, do you?"

"We certainly do!" said Mom. "You seem to think that you only need to have good manners when you're with other people, but that's not true. Being polite and respectful is one way to show others that we care about them, and that's important all the time--especially at home."

"Right," said Dad. "Developing good manners helps us think about others and how our actions affect them. It's one way we can show people the love of Jesus by putting their needs above our own. And home is the best place to practice."

Nolan frowned. "Practice?"

"Practice!" said Dad. "A football player practices to get ready for the Super Bowl, and a figure skater practices to get ready for the Olympics. And here at home, you can practice being thoughtful and respectful so you'll be ready to interact with others at school or in the neighborhood or anywhere else. Your mom and I will help you practice good manners here at home, and God will help you think of others and how you can show love and concern for them." He paused. "They say practice makes perfect, you know."

"Well, I'm sorry I was rude," murmured Nolan.

Dad smiled. "Apology accepted. I think you understand what we're saying. Do you have any questions?"

Nolan looked down at his plate and grinned. "Yes. Can I please have some more of that delicious gravy?"

–Bob Hostetler

How About You?
Does your behavior at home show respect and consideration of others? Or do you think that having good manners doesn't really matter around your family? Your home is the place God has provided for you to learn and practice behavior that shows love and kindness toward others. Let Him help you be considerate and respectful at home so you'll be prepared to think of others wherever you are.

Today's Key Verse:
Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith. (NLT) (Galatians 6:10)

Today's Key Thought:
Show respect at home

Bible Reading: Matthew 22:1-14; John 6:37-40

"Mom," said Tia when she arrived home from school. "You're not going to believe this!"

"Believe what?" asked Mom.

"Kayla took a babysitting job on the day of my party! You'd think she could turn down one job! And McKenna isn't coming either. Her family is going to the zoo, and McKenna wants to go along." Tia looked at her guest list and crossed off the names Kayla and McKenna.

The next day, Tia was unhappy again. "Catherine forgot her cousin's wedding is on the day of my party," she told her mother. "And Zella says she has to take care of her little sister." Tia slumped into a chair. "You can't have a party without any guests! I think I'm just gonna call the whole thing off."

"Now, wait a minute!" Mom sat down next to her. "You've invited several other friends. Some of them are planning to come, right? They may have turned down other invitations so they can go to your party. It wouldn't be fair to them if you cancel."

Tia thought it over. "Okay. Then I'm going to throw the best party ever for the people who decide to come!"

On Sunday, Tia went to church with a friend who lived on her street. As she listened to the pastor speak, she was surprised by what she heard. "God offers each of us an invitation," he said. "He invites everyone to come to Him for forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. But we can often be more interested in living for ourselves now than thinking about eternity."

Tia had heard of Jesus dying on the cross, but she'd never thought of it as an invitation. She thought of her friends who had turned down her invitation to her birthday party. Had she refused God's invitation that had cost the life of His Son?

"Even if we don't accept His invitation at first, God's offer still stands," the pastor continued. "He's always willing to receive those who change their minds and put their trust in Jesus."

When the pastor ended his sermon with a prayer, Tia bowed her head and silently told God that she was ready to accept His invitation.

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Have you ever had someone reject something you offered? God offers us salvation through His Son, Jesus. Have you accepted His offer? Or have you turned it down? Don't reject Him any longer. When you accept His invitation to trust Jesus as your Savior, you'll receive God's gift of everlasting life. Don't wait. Trust in Jesus today! (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:
[Jesus said,] "The one who comes to me I will by no means cast out." (NKJV) (John 6:37)

Today's Key Thought:
Accept God's Invitation

Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39

CRASH! "Oh no!" Carrying a coffee mug with a broken handle, Quon shuffled into the living room where Mom was on her computer. "I broke Dad's favorite mug," he wailed. "It fell when I was taking it out of the dishwasher."

Mom took the mug and looked it over. "I know it was an accident, and Dad will understand. But I think we can fix it. Come with me."

Quon followed Mom to the kitchen, where she took a small tube from a drawer. She removed the cap and squeezed a tiny bead of glue onto each end of the handle. Then she pressed the broken handle to the mug and held it for a few seconds. When she cautiously let go of the handle, it stayed in place. Setting the mug on the counter, she stood back and looked at it. "There," she said. "We'll give it time to dry before we touch it again. Dad will still be able to use it."

"What will happen when we wash it?" asked Quon. "Won't the glue get wet and the handle come off again?"

Mom shook her head. "Not if this glue is as good as people say it is. According to the reviews online, nothing will be able to break the handle off that mug."

"I hope you're right," said Quon, picking up the tube of glue and reading the words printed on the side. "It says here that there's nothing in the world stronger than this glue."

"Well, it may be the strongest glue out there, but I can definitely think of something much, much stronger," said Mom.

"Really?" asked Quon. "What?"

"God's love. The Bible says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. His love is so strong that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins so we could have eternal life with Him."

Quon grinned. "You're right, Mom. No glue can hold up to that!"

Mom picked up the mug and handed it to Quon. "Better tell Dad what happened so he can be extra careful when he uses this."

"Okay, Mom," said Quon. "Thanks."

–Lynn Stamm Rex

How About You?
Did you know that you are loved by God, and that nothing will ever change that? Jesus died for you and then rose again so you could live with Him forever. No matter what you've done, He loves you and offers you forgiveness. No matter what problems you face, He loves you and will help you through them. No matter what happens in this world, God loves you. What a wonderful God!

Today's Key Verse:
Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our LORD. (NLT) (Romans 8:39)

Today's Key Thought:
God always loves you

Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-27; Philippians 4:6-7

"God is great. God is good," prayed Theodore. "And we thank Him for our food. Amen." As he poured milk on his cereal, Theodore thought about the prayer he'd been reciting before meals ever since he was little. "Mom, why don't you ever say that prayer when you give thanks for our food?"

"I said it a lot when I was a child," Mom replied. "But when I grew older, I wanted to pray in my own words."

Theodore pondered that as he ate his cereal. He put the empty bowl in the dishwasher, and Mom wiped the table. "It's supposed to be very warm today," she said. "You might want to dig out some of your summer clothes." Theodore nodded and went to get ready for school.

Soon he returned. "Mom, look at this shirt. Did it shrink?"

"It's definitely too small," Mom said with a laugh. "But it didn't shrink. You grew!" She went to help him find a different shirt, but the summer ones were all too small.

"It's okay," said Theodore as he pulled a long-sleeved shirt off a hanger. "I'll just wear winter shirts until I get summer ones that fit."

"Well, we'd better go shopping soon," said Mom. "You've definitely outgrown all your summer clothes."

Theodore looked at her thoughtfully. "You know what, Mom? I think I've outgrown some of my prayers too. The ones I recite before meals and at bedtime were fine when I was small, just like those shirts were fine a year ago. But now I think I'm ready to start praying in my own words."

Mom smiled at him. "I can see you've grown--both physically and spiritually. And you're right, you're old enough to express your thoughts to God in your own words when you pray."

"I'm just not sure I'll know what to say," said Theodore. "I don't think I'll be able to pray like you."

"You don't need to pray the same way I do," said Mom. "Praying isn't a matter of what words you say, but of being sincere--talking to God from your heart. When you don't know what to say, remember that He already knows everything you need. As you learn to talk to God in your own words, He will use your prayers to help you grow in your relationship with Him."

–Nance E. Keyes

How About You?
Are you still saying the prayers you learned when you were little? If you think about what they say and really mean them, that's fine. But as you grow physically, you should also grow in your prayer life. Instead of reciting words you've memorized, simply talk to God like you'd talk to a friend. Tell Him what's bothering you, ask Him for what you need, and thank Him for all He's done for you.

Today's Key Verse:
Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. (NLV) (Philippians 4:6)

Today's Key Thought:
Pray in your own words

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

"I miss Uncle Grant," said Scarlett. She watched her father pound a tent stake into the ground. "I know he's in heaven, but he always loved camping in the mountains with us, and now he can't do that. It doesn't seem right." Scarlett knew heaven was a happy place, but she kept wondering if it really could be that much better than the wonderful experiences she was having on earth. Of course, not everything on earth was good. Scarlett remembered the many months Uncle Grant had been sick and how he had grown thin and weak. He had often talked about going home to be with Jesus.

A few days later, Scarlett woke up feeling cold and a little stiff. She pulled on a heavy sweater and went out to stand by the fire her dad had built. "I have to admit I wouldn't want a sleeping bag for my bed every night," she said. "I love camping, but I miss the comforts of home." Scarlett looked at the big pot of water Dad had placed over the fire. "Like hot showers," she added.

"So you're getting tired of camping?" teased Dad.

"Well, I wouldn't want to camp out all the time. I'm kind of glad we're going home today. Camping is fun, but it's always nice to go home afterwards."

Dad smiled. "I agree. I think Uncle Grant felt a lot like you do, Scarlett. He loved being here on earth, enjoying God's creation and spending time with family and friends. But when God called him to his true home, he was glad to go. Even though you've had fun on this camping trip, you're looking forward to hot showers and sleeping in your own bed. And Uncle Grant knew that his life here on earth was only temporary, and now he's in his real home with Jesus--the place where he truly belongs."

Scarlett sighed. "I still miss him though."

"I do too," said Dad. "But we'll see Uncle Grant again. When we die, our spirits will go home to be with Jesus too, and we'll be reunited with Christians who have died. Then one day Jesus will resurrect our bodies and make the whole earth new, free of sin and sickness and death, and we'll live with Him there forever!"

Scarlett smiled. "And we'll all enjoy being together in God's creation again."

–Catherine Runyon

How About You?
Does the idea of going to heaven seem strange and maybe scary to you? Do you wonder how you can be happy for eternity without the things you enjoy so much in this life? The Bible doesn't tell us everything about heaven, but we know that when Jesus resurrects our bodies and makes everything new, it will be more wonderful than we can imagine. If you're a Christian, your true home is with Jesus--the place where you belong.

Today's Key Verse:
We would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (NLT) (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Home for Christians is with Jesus