Bible Reading: Psalm 36:7-9; John 14:26-28

Stroking the hen's feathers, Rowan grinned as the chicks tugged at his pants, then scuttled under their mother. "Hi, girls." His sisters Opal and Sylvie joined him, peering under the hen at the chicks, but they knew better than to touch.

"They're so cute!" Five-year-old Rosalind tried to grab a chick, but the chick's mother puffed up and jumped at her defensively.

"Rosie, you have to be gentle, or else Luna will do that again," Mom said as she walked up and peeled off her gardening gloves. "She's a very protective mother, you know."

The chicks at last were allowed to wander out, but when the dog, Arabella, came bounding up, the chicks--Stella, Sunshine, Nova, and Aurora--scurried to take cover under Luna's outspread wings.

Rowan hopped up and grabbed Arabella's collar. "Whoa there, girl. You can't do that. See, you've frightened them." Arabella whined apologetically.

"You know," Sylvie said slowly, "this reminds me of a verse I read this morning."

"What?" Opal cocked her head.

Mom smiled. "Let me guess. 'People take refuge in the shadow of your wings'?"

"Exactly!" Sylvie laughed. "How did you know?"

"We're all reading the Psalms." Mom shrugged. "That was in the one for today."

"What does that mean?" Rosalind wanted to know.

"Think of it this way. When the chicks are afraid, where do they go?"

"Under Luna," Rowan replied promptly.

"Why?"

"Because they like her?" Rosalind guessed.

"Not exactly." Mom smoothed Rosalind's hair. "They go there because they are safe there. Arabella can't reach them there because Luna will protect them. And they know that, by instinct. It's a little like that with us and God. Sometimes we're afraid, or worried, or we feel alone. But like those little chicks, we can take shelter under God's wings. And He is able to protect us far more than Luna could ever protect her chicks. Jesus defeated sin and death to save us, and He promises to always be with us and take care of us."

"So even though Mimi and Papa are sick, and there's a war going on, and we're sometimes so scared we don't know what to do, we can always run to God." Rowan smiled. "Just like Luna's chicks run to her."

– Ellie Shirk

How About You?
What do you do when you feel afraid or worried? We all get scared sometimes, and we often forget that Jesus is right there with us, holding us. Even when we don't feel it, He is near. You can always run to Him, and He will shelter you and give you peace. Take refuge in the shadow of His wings.

Today's Key Verse:
In me [Jesus] you may have peace. In this World you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV) (John 16:33)

Today's Key Thought:
We can take shelter in God

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13

"Did you see my hit, Dad?" Caden asked as he climbed into the pick-up. "My first of the season!"

Dad nodded. "You know, it could have been a double if you had stepped into the swing."

"I know, but..." Caden quieted.

Mom opened the front door as they drove up to the house. "How was the game, guys?"

"I got a hit," said Caden softly as Dad shuffled away to weed the flower beds.

"Great!" said Mom. "I'm sorry I couldn't be--" But Caden was already inside. He surveyed the kitchen for a snack as Mom followed him into the room.

"I tried a new cookie recipe today." Mom held out a plate and Caden took one. "A perfect way to celebrate your hit." Caden didn't respond. "Did something happen at the game, Caden? What's wrong?"

"Why can't Dad ever say 'good job'? It's just two words. Instead, he always points out what could be better."

"Dad is proud of you, Caden. I'm sure of it. He just forgets how important it is to say it. Maybe you should talk to him about it and tell him how you feel."

"I guess." Caden bit into his cookie. "Hey, Mom, these cookies are a little burnt."

Just then Caden's sister Emily bounded into the kitchen. "I did it! I finally finished the scarf I've been knitting." She held it up for them to see.

Caden glanced at it and frowned. "Aren't scarves supposed to be longer than that?"

Emily glared at him and then walked back to her room.

"What did I say?" asked Caden.

Mom touched his shoulder. "What was it again you wished Dad would have said after the game?"

"Good job. Just two simple words, 'Good--'" Caden stopped. "Oh."

Mom lifted her eyebrows. "Mmm hmm. Sometimes we all just need a little encouragement, don't we? None of us is perfect, but we're still loved--God loves us so much He sent Jesus to die for our sins! And He wants us to remind others that we love them too by acknowledging their accomplishments and encouraging them."

"I'll go find Emily," Caden said. "Looks like Dad and I could work on this together." Caden left the room, but quickly returned. "Hey, Mom? Good job on those cookies."

Mom smiled. "Thanks, Caden. That's just what I needed to hear."

– Kelly Carlson

How About You?
When was the last time you said "good job"? Is there someone in your life who needs to hear that? People rarely do things perfectly, but when they try their best and do well, we need to encourage them instead of pointing out what they could have done better. Make "good job" two of the words you say today!

Today's Key Verse:
Encourage one another and build each other up. (CSB) (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Encourage others

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31-32; Hebrews 12:1-2

"Mom, look at this!" Sari pointed to the TV. "This woman has been hoarding junk for more than twenty years, and now her house is so full she can't even move around in it! It's a huge health hazard, and she's going to be forced to leave her home if she doesn't clean it out. The team of people who make this show came to help. Just look at all that stuff!"

Mom shook her head sadly. "That poor woman. It's so hard to let go of things sometimes."

Sari rolled her eyes. "It's her own fault for letting it get like that! Couldn't she see that her house was getting so full she could hardly walk around?"

"Not necessarily," answered Mom. "I'm sure it happened so gradually over a long period of time that she hardly noticed it. It probably wasn't until someone else came inside that she realized how bad it had gotten. That's how it happened with me."

"What?" exclaimed Sari. "You used to be a hoarder?"

Mom laughed. "I guess you could say that. I didn't hoard things in my house though--I hoarded things in my heart."

"What do you mean?" asked Sari.

"Well, when I became a Christian, I was thrilled to have Jesus in my life. But even though I knew He'd made me a new person, I still didn't want to let go of some sinful things I thought were fun or the grudges I had against other people. I was holding on to sin and anger and bitterness, even though those things didn't belong in my new life and were hurting me and others."

"So how'd you get rid of them?" asked Sari.

"It wasn't until a Christian friend pointed out how she saw me living that I finally realized I needed help. The Holy Spirit gave me the power to let go of my selfish desires so I could live in a way that reflects Jesus's love without all that other stuff getting in the way."

Sari looked back at the TV screen. "Just like the woman on this show will be able to enjoy living in her house once all that junk is cleaned out of it."

Mom nodded. "Exactly!"

– Courtney Lasater

How About You?
Are you hanging on to things that don't belong in the new life Jesus has given you? Sometimes it's hard to let go of your old way of doing things, but that's not who you are anymore. Jesus has made you a new person who's able to show His love to others in all you do. Trust Him to help you let go of any selfish habits you've been holding on to and embrace your new life in Him.

Today's Key Verse:
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (NKJV) (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Today's Key Thought:
Let go of sin and bitterness

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33:26-27; Isaiah 40:28-31

Mario and his dad were on a fishing trip when Mario made a discovery--an eagle's nest way up near the top of a tall tree. And up in the sky, they saw a large bird soaring high over the river. Mario let out a long breath. "Wow! I wish I could fly like that!"

"Well, that eagle didn't always have such great flying skills," said Dad. "I've read that baby eagles are afraid of flying. In fact, it takes a great deal of their mother's prodding to get them out of their soft, warm nest."

"I know. We talked about them in school. My teacher said the mother eagle pushes the babies right out over the side of the nest. That must be scary for them!"

Dad nodded. "They probably think they'll fall to the ground."

"Yeah, but then after the mother eagle lets one of the eaglets flutter and fall for a bit, she soars underneath it and lets it land on her wings. Then she takes it back to the nest. She does that over and over until they're brave and strong enough to fly on their own."

A few days later, Mario felt nervous about a kids' event at church he had agreed to help with. "Mrs. Campbell wants me to help with the little kids' group tomorrow," Mario told his dad. "But what if the kids ask me questions I don't know how to answer? It might be the first time some of them ever hear about Jesus, and I'm afraid I won't know what to say!"

"You can always ask an adult for help," said Dad. "I know it's scary for you, Mario, but you haven't forgotten how little eagles learn to fly, have you?"

"What does that have to do with it?" Mario wanted to know.

"God often helps His children in a way that's similar to how a mother eagle helps her babies," Dad explained. "Sometimes He gives you a gentle push to get you to try new things--things that make you feel helpless or afraid at first so you'll learn to depend on Him for strength and guidance. The Holy Spirit is always with you, and He'll be there to catch you and help you know what to say."

Mario smiled. "Thanks, Dad. I'll remember that tomorrow."

– Trudy Vanderveen

How About You?
Do you get nervous telling others about Jesus? Are you afraid your friends will laugh at you if you invite them to church? It can be scary to share your faith with others sometimes, but God is always with you. He's helping you learn to depend on Him in every situation instead of relying on your own strength. Even when you feel like you're failing, He is with you. He won't ever leave you on your own. Trust Him to help you.

Today's Key Verse:
Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. (NKJV) (Isaiah 40:31)

Today's Key Thought:
Rely on God

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Grace took her treasure box out from under the bed and opened it to look over the contents inside. She took a couple of items out and inspected them. A special note from Grandma. A ballet ticket stub. A birthstone ring. A picture book. She smiled as she returned them to her box. She often did this before going to bed. Seeing her treasures brought memories that gave her happy, warm feelings.

One morning, Grace's little sister greeted her eagerly. "I had a dream last night," said Everly. "It was about a great big treasure box. It was way bigger than yours, and lots prettier too! It sparkled all over. And it was as tall as the sky!"

Grace grinned at Everly. "What was in the box?"

"I don't know," said Everly. "I couldn't see inside it."

"Well, who do you think would own such a big, fancy box?" Grace asked. "A king? Or the President?"

"I know who!" exclaimed Everly. "God could have a box like that."

Grace grinned. "If God had a treasure box, what He would put in it? Rainbows, maybe? Or oceans? How about mountains? Or gold?" Everly nodded, but no answer seemed quite right to Grace.

"Let's think about it today," Mom suggested. "Let's see who can come up with an even better answer."

"Okay," said Grace, but her day was busy, and she soon forgot all about it.

When Grace got home from school, Everly was waiting for her. "I know what God would put in His treasure box!" she said, bouncing up and down. "I know the answer!"

"You do?" asked Grace. "How do you know? Mom told you, didn't she?" Grace turned to her mother. "What is it, Mom? Tell me too!"

Mom smiled at her. "Go look up Deuteronomy 7:6," she said. "Maybe that will help you figure it out."

When Grace looked up the verse in her Bible, she saw the answer to the question. People, she thought. God would put the people He saved in His treasure box. Grace smiled. She knew she was part of God's treasure.

–Joy L. Newswanger

How About You?
Are you part of God's treasure? Maybe you didn't know God has treasure, but He does! In today's Key Verse, He calls His chosen people His treasure. Today, that means anyone who has trusted Jesus as their Savior is His treasure too. Are you included in that group? If not, put your trust in Jesus, who died for your sins so you could be saved, and become God's treasure 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:
The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for himself, a special treasure. (NKJV) (Deuteronomy 7:6)

Today's Key Thought:
God's people are His treasure