Read: Psalm 65:1-8; Philippians 2:5-8

“Mittens, you’re driving me crazy!” Li said as she stepped over her cat.

“What’s Mittens doing?” Mom asked.

“Nothing, but I always have to step over him. I’ve actually stepped on his tail lots of times,” Li said. “I don’t do it on purpose, but he always gets under my feet. Why does he just sit in the middle of the floor where we’re trying to walk?”

“I guess he trusts us to know he’s there and to walk around him,” said Mom.

“Well, he should watch out and be more careful not to get in our way,” Li said. “We’re a lot bigger than he is!”

Mom leaned over and scratched Mittens’ head, making him purr. “It makes me feel good to see how much he trusts us,” she said. “If we were small and he were big, do you think we’d trust him not to hurt us?”

"Not me!” said Li. “His claws are sharp. If he were big like a lion or tiger, I think he’d be dangerous!”

“I can think of someone bigger than we are that we can always trust,” said Mom.

“You mean Dad?”

Mom laughed. “Someone much bigger than Dad.”

“Who?” asked Li. Then she figured it out. “I know—you mean God! He’s so big He created the whole universe.”

“Right,” said Mom. “But even though He’s so much bigger than us, He loves us—just like we love Mittens, even though he gets in the way sometimes. Mittens knows we love him, and that’s why he trusts us. And we can trust God for the same reason—He loves us so much that Jesus became one of us and sacrificed His life to make us part of God’s family. No matter what difficult situations get in our way, we can trust Him knowing that He loves us and is big enough to handle any problem we face.”

Li smiled. “I’m glad I’m part of God’s family and can always trust Him.” She bent over to pet her cat. “And I’m glad Mittens is part of our family and trusts us—even though I step on his tail sometimes!”

–Diana M. Martin

How about you? Do you ever feel afraid of God because He’s so much bigger than you? He doesn’t want you to be afraid of Him—He loves you and wants you to trust Him. Even though He’s God, Jesus became human and died for your sins so you could be part of His family. He cares about everything you go through and promises to help you through it. Trust Him and know He’ll always take care of you.

Today's Key Verse: I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. Psalm 13:5 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: You can trust God

Read: Matthew 18:12-14

“Zeke!” called Layla. “There’s a storm coming. We need to get the chickens in!”

Zeke followed his sister outside. “Do you think chickens are like sheep?” he asked.

Layla stared at Zeke as she opened the gate to the chicken coop. “What? No, chickens are different. They have feathers.”

“Jesus talks a lot about sheep in the Bible,” said Zeke. “Do you think Jesus likes sheep more than chickens?”

“I dunno.” Layla sighed. “Hurry, let’s get the chickens in.”

Zeke counted the chickens as they came into the coop. “One, two, three, four, five. Five? That’s not right.” Zeke counted the chickens again. “Still five. One is missing. Where’s Clara?” Zeke peered around the chicken coop.

“Zeke, we’ve got most of them. We’ll find Clara tomorrow.” Layla reached for the latch to shut the door.

“No!” said Zeke. “Jesus goes looking for His lost sheep. He said He was like a farmer who had ninety-nine of them but still went looking for the lost one because he cared about the one that was missing. We need to look for our lost one too.”

“You’re right, Zeke. Let’s start looking.” They looked for Clara in the hay barn, the stables, the willow tree, and the cornfield. No Clara.

“I don’t know where else to look,” Zeke said as he and Layla leaned against the garden fence and swiped at the raindrops that sprinkled their faces. “What if something happens to her?”

“We’ll keep looking until we…shhh, do you hear that?”

“Cluck.” A faint sound came from under the raspberry bushes. Zeke ducked under the fence and peeked around the bushes’ thorny branches.

“Clara! Are you stuck? Don’t worry, I’ll get you out.”

Thorns scraped Zeke’s face and hands as he pulled Clara loose from the raspberries. He took off his jacket and wrapped her up. “Stay in the jacket so you don’t get wet.”

Layla led the way back to the coop. Zeke placed Clara safely in the coop with the other chickens. “In you go, Clara, with the rest of your chicken friends.”

“I’m glad we didn’t stop looking, Zeke. The other five chickens are safe and sound, and now Clara is too.”

Zeke grinned. “I think Jesus likes chickens too.”

–Nicole Monroe

How about you? Do you like chickens or sheep better? Jesus loves you more than chickens or sheep. He calls His people His sheep because He cares for them the way a good farmer takes care of animals. Jesus loves us so much that He will search for those who are lost because He doesn’t want one person to go missing. He cares for you and wants you as part of His family. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: For the Son of Man [Jesus] came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus finds the lost

Read: Romans 8:1-9

Jonah sifted through the model airplane parts covering his desk until he found the one he wanted. Almost done! I just have to get this propeller on. His fingers clutched the plane as he tried to attach the propeller. Then he heard a crunch. He had held the plane so tightly that it had cracked above one of the wings. Filled with anger, Jonah cursed and flung the plane against the wall. Then, feeling hot tears of shame fill his eyes, he laid his head on his arms and cried.

That evening, Jonah showed the plane to his dad. “I totally ruined it,” he said sadly. “Why do I get so mad about things? Will I ever get over that?”

Dad turned the mangled plane in his hands. “Are you familiar with the law of gravity?” Jonah nodded. “Then you know gravity holds everything—including airplanes—to the ground. So how can an airplane ever get up in the air?”

“We talked about that in science,” said Jonah. “A greater law called aerodynamics overcomes the law of gravity.”

“Right.” Dad moved the plane along the tabletop. “As the plane moves forward, air pressure under the wing pushes upward, creating lift. The faster the plane moves, the greater the lift. When the lift becomes greater than the force of gravity, you have…”

“Takeoff,” said Jonah. “But what’s that got to do with me getting mad about stuff?”

“Jonah, when you give in to your temper, you’re like an airplane stuck on the ground. The law of gravity can be compared to what the Bible calls the law of sin and death. When you’re controlled by the law of sin, you can’t gain victory over that temper of yours.”

“So how can I stop being controlled by sin?” asked Jonah.

“You need the power of a higher law—a force greater than the law of sin that pins you down. And because you trust in Jesus, that greater force is available to you! You have the Holy Spirit, who helps you live the new life Jesus gave you. When you feel your temper rising, remember that He gives you the power to fly above your anger and deal with it in a good way. You don’t have to give in to it and sin.”

–Christi B. Kehn

How about you? Do you have trouble controlling your temper—and hurt yourself and others in the process? Or maybe there’s another sin you often struggle with. Whatever it is, Jesus gives you the power through the Holy Spirit to overcome that sin. He freed you from the law of sin so you could have a new life with Him. Whenever you’re tempted to sin, depend on Him for the power to fly above it and not give in.

Today's Key Verse: He [Jesus] who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: You can overcome sin through Jesus

Read: John 1:14-18; 8:4-11

Tessie sighed. Time for performing the skit that she and her friends had prepared was running out. Still Candace did not show up.

“Where is she?” Tessie whispered to Gus, another student in the group hoping to perform at the homeschool talent show that evening.

Gus shrugged. “We worked on this for so long—I don’t think she would miss it without telling us. Something must be wrong.”

The next morning, the homeschool group gathered to watch a play performance. Candace waved when she saw Gus and Tessie waiting in the lobby.

“So exciting!” Candace cried. “We get to see real actors!”

“Candace, we were supposed to be real actors last night. What happened? We couldn’t do the skit because you didn’t show up,” Gus replied.

“Oh, I know. I thought about going but then decided I just didn’t want to do it. I told Mom I wasn’t part of the skit anymore.” Candace shrugged. “I’m always responsible. I just needed a chance to be irresponsible this one time.”

Gus and Tessie shook their heads in disbelief. Later, the two friends joined Tessie’s mom during lunch. They described what happened with Candace’s decision to abandon them at the talent show.

“Well, you could kick Candace out of your group of friends and never create another skit with her. Or act as if it’s no big deal and pretend nothing happened,” Tessie’s mom offered.

Gus and Tessie frowned. “I don’t like either of those ideas, Mom,” Tessie said.

“There’s another way which I hope you choose. I know you both have trusted Jesus to rescue you from your sins, so I know you also want to follow His ways. Here’s what Jesus did. He came with both grace and truth. That means He showed people love and mercy but still called out their sin.”

“So, Jesus wants us to still love Candace but also be honest about how she disappointed us?” Gus asked.

Mom nodded. “When friends tell us the truth in a loving way, it gives us a chance to look to Jesus to help us change.”

“Let’s go talk to Candace, Tessie,” Gus said. “If Jesus shows us grace and truth, we can try to do the same with Candace.”

–Allison Wilson Lee

How about you? Have you ever been let down by a friend or loved one and wondered how to handle it? In His life on earth, Jesus showed us how to be honest when another person hurts us while still showing that person love. As we grow in knowing and following Jesus, we can learn to offer others grace and truth too. Trust Him to help you tell the truth in love.

Today's Key Verse: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus gives grace and truth

Read: Luke 21:1-4; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked Sylvie after junior youth group. “Did something happen at your meeting?”

Sylvie sat down at the table where Dad was cutting vegetables. “It’s Melissa again.” The two girls had known each other for years, but they were not friends. “I got there five minutes late,” Sylvie said. “The only empty chair was in the front row by Melissa. It was fine until the youth leader handed me the red bucket.”

“What’s the red bucket for?” Dad asked, rolling his wheelchair to the refrigerator.

“That’s how we take the offering. We start a red bucket in the front row and pass it around. Our class also committed to giving extra this fall so that at Christmas we could buy gifts for needy families in the area.”

“So what happened with the red bucket?” Dad asked.

“Well, when I checked my pocket, all I had was thirty-five cents, so I popped it in the empty bucket and passed it on to Melissa. She saw my few coins and burst out laughing. Then she threw in five dollars and said loudly, ‘We should put Sylvie’s family on the needy list.’”

Dad cringed. “Honey, I’m sorry I didn’t have cash to give you your allowance this morning.”

“This isn’t your fault, Dad. I know things have been tight since your accident. I’ll give more when I can.”

Dad smiled. “That sounds like a story from the Bible. Can you guess which one?” Sylvie shook her head.

“It’s the story of the widow’s offering. The widow quietly gave all she had. It was only a few cents, but she gave it gladly. The wealthy Pharisees boasted loudly about their big offerings, though they could’ve given much more. The thing is, God cares about the heart of the giver, not the gift.”

“So it’s okay that I only put a little in the offering?” asked Sylvie.

Dad nodded. “When Jesus saw the widow give the little she had out of love for God, He said she gave more than anyone else. I’m sorry Melissa embarrassed you, but it’s your heart that matters to God, not how much you give. He loves us so much that He gave us His Son, Jesus, and He wants us to give to Him out of love too.”

–Teresa Ambord

How about you? Have you ever felt embarrassed because your offering seemed small compared to what others gave? It’s not the amount you give that God is concerned about—it’s your heart. When you give to God out of gratitude for the love He has shown you, you are giving the same way the widow did. So don’t give to impress others; give because God gave His Son out of the love He has for you.

Today's Key Verse: Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: God loves givers more than gifts

Read: Matthew 7:7-11

“Hey, wait up!” Jordyn grabbed her foot and looked at the bottom of her shoe. “Look—the sole of my shoe almost ripped right off!” She glanced around with a red face. “How embarrassing. Right in the middle of the store!”

“Let me look at it,” Mom said. “How did that even happen?”

“Well, I knew they were starting to fall apart, but I didn’t know it was this bad.”

Mom smiled. “You could have asked me for new shoes, you know. You didn’t have to wait until they split right open!”

“I know,” Jordyn said. “But I didn’t want to bother you with it.”

Mom put a hand on Jordyn’s shoulder. “You know it wouldn’t bother me. I’m your parent—it’s my job to provide for you! Next time just ask, okay?”

“Okay, Mom. Well, at least we were in a store when my shoe fell apart!”

Mom laughed. “Let’s head over to the shoe section right now.”

As Jordyn sat down to try on a new pair of shoes, Mom asked, “How’s Emily?” Emily was Jordyn’s best friend from school.

“I don’t know—she’s mad at me right now, and I don’t know how to fix it. She doesn’t even want to talk to me.” Jordyn’s shoulders slumped. “I just don’t know what to do.”

“Well,” Mom said, “I think it’s a lot like your shoes.”

Jordyn looked up, confused. “What is?”

“The Bible says that if you need wisdom, you just have to ask God. You don’t need to worry about bothering Him, and He’s not going to get mad at you for asking. He’s your heavenly Father, and He loves you—just like I love you and want to provide for you.”

“Really? That’s great!” said Jordyn. “I’m going to ask God for wisdom about how to fix things with Emily.”

“Good,” said Mom. “Though keep in mind that God often provides wisdom through the people He’s put in your life. So after you pray, maybe you should tell me more about what happened with Emily and I’ll see if I can help.”

“Okay.” Jordyn stuck out her feet. “What do you think of these shoes?”

“Perfect,” said Mom. “Let’s go buy them so we can finish our shopping.”

–Lucy Alessio

How about you? Is there a situation in your life you don’t know what to do about? Are you unsure how you should deal with it? God wants to guide you through every difficulty you face. He is our loving heavenly Father who provided us with His Son, Jesus, when we needed to be saved, and He provides for our daily needs too. Pray and ask Him about anything, and He will gladly give you the wisdom you need.

Today's Key Verse: Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. James 1:5 (ERV)

Today's Key Thought: Ask God for wisdom

Read: Romans 12:4-8

BLATT! BLATT! BLATT! Brayden was sitting in front of the music stand with his trombone, moving the slide, when Dad walked in holding a baseball and glove.

“Hey, Brayden,” Dad said. “How about taking a break to play catch?”

In the backyard Dad threw easy tosses to Brayden, who then threw them back. “How’s the trombone going?” Dad asked.

Brayden shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

“What does your teacher ‘guess’?” Dad asked as he threw a little to Brayden’s left, making him reach for it.

“She guesses I’m not practicing. But I am practicing! It just doesn’t seem to help at all.”

“Mom told me that when the furnace man was here yesterday, he thought one of the smoke detectors was malfunctioning.” Dad chuckled, then quickly stifled it and threw the ball way to Brayden’s left.

Brayden sprinted and caught the ball in the webbing of his glove. “You’re not going to say I should give up, are you?”

“Great catch!” Dad exclaimed.

“I never give up! Never!” Brayden threw the ball back. “You taught me that.”

“I taught you that so you wouldn’t be a quitter. Every skill takes time to develop, and you need patience to get through the difficult parts of learning. I know you’re not a quitter, Brayden, but that doesn’t mean you should keep doing something just because you don’t want people to think you’re giving up—that can actually be a form of pride.”

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t play the trombone?” asked Brayden.

“No, I’m not saying that,” said Dad. “I’m saying that God has gifted each of us in unique ways, and sometimes He’ll direct us away from one thing and toward another. We need to be open to His leading and trust Him to help us develop the gifts He wants us to use to help others and point them to Jesus. If we try something and sense Him leading us in a different direction, it’s okay to move on and try other things.”

“So if the trombone isn’t one of my gifts, what should I work on instead?”

Dad smiled and looked down at the baseball in his hand. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He threw the ball high above Brayden’s head, and Brayden jumped up and caught it.

–William Grimm

How about you? Have you been struggling to get better at something and it just doesn’t seem to be working? It’s important to give yourself time to develop your skills whenever you try something new, but you also need to be willing to move on if God leads you in a different direction. Trust Him to help you develop the gifts He’s given you and use them the way He wants you to. On that, never give up!

Today's Key Verse: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. Romans 12:6 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Develop the gifts God’s given you

Read: Isaiah 11:6-9; Romans 8:19-22

Aaliyah rushed outside to see why Grandpa’s dog was barking so loudly. She found Otis jumping up and down, trying to reach a squirrel up in a tree. “I think that squirrel is scolding you, Otis,” she said as the squirrel chattered loudly. She laughed and pulled the dog away.

Looking around for Grandpa, Aaliyah headed for the toolshed and saw her cat hiding in the grass, staring at some birds pecking at seeds on the ground. The cat was getting ready to pounce. “Get away from those birds, Bella!” Aaliyah cried.

Hearing Aaliyah’s voice, Grandpa came out of the shed with two rakes. “How about helping me clean up the garden?” he asked. Aaliyah took a rake and followed Grandpa as he took long-legged strides across the yard. He paused beneath a tree and pointed at some fur and small bones lying on the ground. “Look here,” he said. “I think there’s been an owl in this tree recently. The fur and bones are probably from some small animal he had for dinner.”

Aaliyah frowned. “Some animals are really mean to each other, aren’t they?”

Grandpa nodded. “Ever since sin came into the world, animals have suffered right along with people. All of creation suffers. Because of sin, we have illness, hunger, death, thorns, thistles, and weeds.”

“You mean the whole world has problems because of sin?” Aaliyah asked. “Not just people?”

“That’s right. But even though sin has affected the whole world, God still rules over it and is working to change it.”

Grandpa and Aaliyah got to work, carefully raking dead sticks and leaves from the flower bed. Soon they saw tiny green shoots peeking above the ground. “Look, Grandpa,” said Aaliyah. “New life!”

Grandpa nodded. “It reminds me that Jesus conquered sin and death when He died and rose again and that He’s making a brand-new world. When He returns, it’s going to be more wonderful than we can imagine. There won’t be any thorns or weeds. Animals won’t be afraid of one another or harm people. And all suffering will end.” He grinned at Aaliyah. “Best of all, Christians will live with Jesus forever in a perfect place free of sin and death.”

–Carolyn E. Yost

How about you? Do you see the effect sin has had on all of creation? It may make you feel sad, but when you see flowers blooming or new plants springing up, thank God that a day is coming when He will take away all the effects of sin. Animals will get along together—and people will too! If you trust in Jesus, you can look forward to being with Him in a brand-new world forever. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 2 Peter 3:13 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: God will make a new world