Read: Psalm 18:31-36

“I knew I’d win a prize. I just knew it!” Jack stroked the shiny blue ribbon he was holding and grinned, remembering how quickly his horse had stood straight and still, with ears flicked forward. “Blaze was the best because he had the best trainer—me!”

“You did a good job training your horse,” Dad said. “But remember, you didn’t train him alone.”

“Yes, I did,” said Jack. “No one helped me—at least not much. I don’t need help. I know everything about…” He paused as Dad suddenly slowed down and stopped at the side of the road.

“Aha!” Dad said. “I thought I saw something odd.”

“What?” asked Jack, peering out the window.

“Come and see.”

Jack got out and followed Dad to a fence that ran beside the road. “Look.” Dad stopped beside one of the thick, round fence posts. A big turtle sat on top of it, sleeping in the sun.

Jack was flabbergasted. “How did he climb up there?”

“Well, I’d say someone must have put him there,” said Dad. “But he probably never even saw the hands that picked him up!” He lifted the turtle and set him on the ground. “Or the hands that put him down. When he sees his friends again, maybe he’ll tell them—in turtle language, of course—that he got up on that post and back down again all by himself.” Jack had a feeling Dad was talking about more than just the turtle. “Invisible hands,” said Dad softly. “I’d say that’s the help you had in training Blaze—God’s invisible hands.”

“You mean God helped me?” asked Jack. “God helped me train a horse?”

Dad nodded. “God gave you a brain and arms and legs and the ability to learn how to train Blaze—and people who taught you how to do it. Right?”

“Well, yeah,” Jack said thoughtfully. “So…”

“So maybe He deserves some credit?” suggested Dad. “After all, if Jesus hadn’t died and rose again to save us, none of our accomplishments would mean a thing. But He did save us, and He’s given us the abilities we have so we can use them to point to Him and everything He’s done for us.”

Jack sighed. “You’re right, Dad. I owe Him everything. He deserves the credit, not me.”

–Jane K. Chase

How about you? Do you give God the credit for your accomplishments, like getting good grades or winning at sports? Or do you let others think it’s all you? It’s okay to feel good about things you do well, but don’t forget to thank God for each success—after all, He’s the one who created you, saved you from sin, and blessed you with everything you have and are able to do. Nothing you do compares to what He’s done, so give Him the credit He deserves.

Today's Key Verse: If anyone wants to be proud, he should be proud of what the Lord has done. 2 Corinthians 10:17 (NLV)

Today's Key Thought: Give God credit for everything

Read: Psalms 95:1-7; 96:11-13

Gannon’s mom plopped the mushy, still-warm mound onto the coffee table for him to enjoy. After locating a recipe for homemade playdough online, Mom and Gannon gathered the ingredients and started creating. He was so excited to see the first batch!

Gannon pressed his small hands into the stretchy substance, pulling it this way and that. “It feels perfect, Mommy! I like it!” he exclaimed. “How did you do this?” Gannon asked. “You must be the goodest playdough maker in the world!”

Gannon’s mother smiled and settled on the rug beside the coffee table. “As much as you enjoy what I made for you, I’m just as happy about the playdough as you are,” she said.

“You are?” Gannon rolled the dough between his hands.

“Yep, I love to see how much joy it gives you. To know I made something for you that brings you pleasure is a blessing to me.” Then she picked up a lump of playdough and began pressing it into shape.

“I’m not the only one who likes creating things for their children to enjoy,” Mom continued. “I mixed together some items from our pantry to make the playdough—but think about what God created.”

“Yeah! Oceans, mountains, flowers…even koalas!” Gannon exclaimed.

Mom laughed. “Yes, even koalas. And God created all of that out of nothing.”

“Not even stuff from the pantry,” Gannon said.

“That’s right. God shows us His glory through His handiwork in the world, and He likes it when we enjoy His creation.”

“The world is a neat gift from God.” Gannon twirled his playdough into a bird’s nest.

“It is, and when we know God as His children—by trusting in Jesus, who lived a perfect life and then died to take the punishment for our sins—we understand how God loves to show us His love. He gives us good gifts, like the beautiful world we live in, and the gift of Jesus so we could become His children.”

“Mommy, we should say thank you to God for the world He made, for Jesus—and for this good playdough!”

–Allison Wilson Lee

How about you? When you play outside, do you notice the world around you? God created it for you to enjoy—the sun and moon to give you light, grass for you to play on, and animals for you to see and learn about. God not only created a beautiful world because He loves you; He also sent His Son, Jesus, so you could have eternal life. Next time you go outside, let the world God made remind you of His love!

Today's Key Verse: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: God gives good gifts

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 18-20

“I can’t wait for our youth retreat!” Katie said. “Do you have permission to go yet?”

Tammy bit her lip. “Not yet.” If she went, she would have to invite her brother, Clint. Tammy loved Clint, but kids at school whispered behind his back because he didn’t understand when they were joking or when he should stop talking about his obsessions, especially with polar bears.

“Promise you’ll ask!” Katie called as Tammy got into Mom’s car.

Mom smiled at Tammy as they drove away. “What do you need to ask me?”

Tammy sighed. “There’s going to be a youth retreat at the ski lodge.”

“That’s awesome!” Mom said. “Of course you can go.”

“But if I go, then Clint will want to come. Remember the last time we went skiing? He almost got lost searching for polar bears. It was so embarrassing!”

“I see,” Mom said. “I’ll let you decide whether or not you want to invite him.”

Tammy was too surprised to respond. Suddenly, Mom pulled into an empty parking lot. Tammy gasped as Mom shut her eyes. “What are you doing?” Tammy cried.

“What?” Mom asked. “I thought it would be fun to drive with my eyes closed. I still have my foot to press the gas and my hands to steer the wheel.”

“But you can’t see where you’re going! What if we hit something?”

Mom opened her eyes. “What if I try driving without my feet? Or taking my hands off the wheel?”

“No!” Tammy said. “You need your whole body to drive.”

Mom nodded. “That’s right. Have you ever heard Christians described as a body?”

Tammy shook her head. That sounded weird!

“The Bible says we are the body of Christ,” said Mom. “God created each of us with unique gifts so we can show people who Jesus is and help each other grow in our faith. And every single person is needed. We’re all part of the wonderful purpose Jesus has given us as His people.”

When they got home, Clint ran to give Tammy a hug. “Clint, I have something important to ask you,” Tammy said. “Do you want to come on a ski retreat with me?”

Clint danced down the hallway as Tammy laughed. She already knew what gift Clint had—joy.

–Hannah Chung

How about you? Do you struggle to include kids who are different from you? Or maybe you’re often left out because of your differences. God created and loves each one of us, and He has given each of His children unique gifts that allow us to show others the love of Jesus. Even if others don’t recognize your gifts, God always sees you, and He will help you see and encourage others in the body of Christ.

Today's Key Verse: Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Everyone has God-given gifts