Read: Romans 8:14-17; 9:25-26

Sophie sat on the kitchen floor petting her new golden retriever puppy while Mom snapped the stems off green beans. “Mom, you’ll never guess what happened today,” Sophie said. “Mira told our class she’s a real-life princess.”

Mom let out a little chuckle, but when she looked at her daughter’s face she could tell Sophie was serious.

“Don’t you think that’s a little—foolish?” asked Sophie. “I mean, we’re not little kids anymore.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sure she was just kidding,” said Mom.

“No, she means it!” Sophie insisted. “She said that since God is her Father that makes her a real princess. She was calling herself Princess Mira!”

“Hmm,” said Mom. “You know, it may not be as foolish as it sounds.”

Sophie raised her eyebrows and tilted her head down. She couldn’t believe what her mom was saying.

“It reminds me of Goldie,” added Mom. “Some people might not accept Goldie as her real name.”

“What?” asked Sophie in disbelief. She looked down at the sleeping puppy curled up in her lap and stroked her soft golden fur. “But that’s what we named her!”

“Well, when Goldie was rescued by the animal shelter, what did they call her?” asked Mom.

Sophie thought a moment. “Molly,” she answered.

“Right. Just like Molly’s name changed when we adopted her, our name also changes when we’re adopted into God’s family. In the Bible, God says, ‘Those who were not my people, I will now call my people.’ And do you know what He says next?”

Sophie shook her head. “No, what?”

“The very next verse says that ‘they will be called children of the living God,’” said Mom. “I think Mira has figured something out—something really special. When she trusted Jesus as her Savior, she was adopted into God’s family. Just like Molly was adopted into ours and—”

“And became Goldie!” Sophie gently removed the sleeping dog from her lap. “Well, you and Goldie will have to excuse me—this princess has homework to finish!”

–Nichole Gatten

How about you? Have you been adopted by God? Have you become part of His family by trusting in Jesus? If so, you are now one of His children. Your heavenly Father has given you a new name and a new life! If you’re not yet one of God’s children, you can be adopted through Jesus, who sacrificed His life to save you and welcome you into His family. Trust in Him today! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Embrace your new name

Read: 1 Samuel 3:4-11; Psalm 103:13-14

When the school bell rang, Xavier tossed his bag over his shoulder and headed for the door. He spotted his older brother, Malik, standing on the sidewalk.

“Hey, what’s up?” asked Malik as they headed for home.

“Not much.” Xavier kicked a plastic bottle, and it hit a parking meter.

“Did you get to shoot some hoops at recess?” asked Malik. Xavier nodded. “Sink any threes?”

“Yeah, but…” Xavier looked through the window of a coffee shop at all the people on their computers and cell phones. “There’s a new kid at school named Devon. I saw him when we were playing ball.”

“And?” Malik raised his eyebrows.

“Well, now I’m thinking he wanted to play. He just stood by the court watching us the whole time.”

“But you didn’t ask him to be on your team?”

Xavier shook his head. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it then.” He sighed, breathing in the smells of a Greek restaurant as they passed by.

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up over it.” Malik stopped at the crosswalk and turned his head to look down the street. A city bus whizzed by, then the light changed and they stepped into the road. “Do you remember that Bible story about the boy named Samuel? God called to him three separate times, and each time Samuel thought it was the priest calling him.”

“Yeah, I remember,” said Xavier.

“Well, what happened with the new kid at school today is kind of like that.”

Xavier gave his brother a puzzled look. “How?”

“Samuel didn’t realize it was God calling him the first three times he heard His voice,” said Malik. “But the fourth time, after the priest told him who it really was, he got it. He knew God was calling him and was able to listen and obey.” Malik waved at a guy with ear buds walking down the other side of the street.

“You didn’t realize Devon wanted to play at first, but now you know he did. So now you can do what God is calling you to do.”

“You mean I can ask Devon to play ball with us tomorrow,” said Xavier.

Malik clapped Xavier on the back. “Exactly.”

–Annika Klanderud

How about you? Do you ever wish you could go back and take advantage of a missed opportunity to be kind to someone? Jesus knows we’re only human and don’t always recognize ways to show His love to others. He forgives our mistakes and always gives us another chance. Ask Him to show you something you can do to share His love with someone today. Once you know what it is, do it!

Today's Key Verse: For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (NKJV) Psalm 103:14

Today's Key Thought: Do what you know is right

Read: Leviticus 19:17-18; Matthew 5:43-48

After school Declan walked to the nearby dentist’s office where his mom worked as a receptionist. “Hi, Mom,” he said as he walked in. He plopped down onto a chair in the waiting room while she got ready to leave. His book bag slid to the floor beside him, and he gave it an angry little kick. Mom noticed.

“What’s wrong, Declan?” she asked as they headed for the car.

“I don’t like Isaiah,” said Declan. “In fact, after what he did at school today, I hate him!”

“Whoa!” said Mom. “Hate is not a word I like to hear. What happened?”

“Isaiah threw an eraser and hit Aaliyah in the back of the head. Since I sit right behind her, she thought I did it and told Mrs. Cramer. I told Mrs. Cramer I didn’t do it, but she didn’t believe me, and I had to stay in during recess. After school Isaiah tried to apologize, but it was too late then. He should have admitted he did it right away!”

Mom looked at Declan thoughtfully. “Sounds like you need a filling.”

“A filling! What does this have to do with teeth? Besides, I just had a filling. My teeth are fine!”

“What did the dentist do when you had that cavity?” Mom asked.

“Well, first she drilled out the decay, and then she filled the space with a special material,” said Declan. “But why are we talking about fillings? What about Isaiah?”

“I was thinking of the problem you’re having with him,” said Mom. “It seems a lot like the problem you had with your tooth. They both need drilling and filling. Isaiah was wrong, but I think you need to drill the decay—the hate—out of your heart and fill the space with forgiveness.”

“Drill out the hate?” asked Declan. “How can I do that?”

“You need a much more powerful tool than a dentist’s drill,” said Mom. “You need prayer. Only Jesus can help you get rid of the hate and forgive Isaiah.” Declan sighed and didn’t say anything. “Pray about it and trust Jesus to help you love and forgive Isaiah, Declan,” added Mom. “I’ll be praying for both of you.”

–Dorothy R. King

How about you? Do you find it hard to forgive people who have wronged you? It’s not easy, but with Jesus it can be done. Pray and tell Him how you’re feeling, and trust Him to replace any hate in your heart with love. Remember that He loves you so much that He died for your sins so you could be forgiven. He loves everyone that much—including those who have wronged you. Trust Him to help you show them His love by forgiving them.

Today's Key Verse: But I [Jesus] tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. (ERV) Matthew 5:44

Today's Key Thought: Drill out hate with prayer

Read: Matthew 7:7-11

Brecken was doing his homework on the couch when his dog, Winston, brought his toy over and set it at Brecken’s feet. Brecken picked it up and threw it into the kitchen. Winston immediately ran after it and brought it back. This time Brecken threw the toy a little harder, and it landed in the middle of the kitchen table. Winston ran to the table, looked up, and began to whine. He then began to run back and forth between the table and Brecken.

“I think he’s trying to ask you to get it down,” Mom said.

Brecken got up and grabbed the toy. “Here you go, Winston,” he said as he threw it toward the couch. Winston ran to get it and then took off down the hall, squeaking it loudly.

Brecken went back to the couch and pulled out his math book. “Ugh! I don’t get this,” he said a few minutes later.

“Do you need some help?” Mom asked.

Brecken tossed the math book onto the floor. “It’s no use. My teacher already tried to explain it to me, but I still don’t get it.”

“Have you tried praying about it?” asked Mom.

“I think God has bigger things to worry about than my math homework,” Brecken said.

Mom smiled. “Why did you get Winston’s toy for him earlier?” she asked.

Brecken shrugged. “I knew he was upset he couldn’t reach it and was asking me to get it. But what does that have to do with my math homework?”

“Well, just like you wanted to help Winston because you care about him, God wants to help us with our problems—no matter how small,” Mom explained. “Because Jesus already took care of our biggest problem of all by dying for our sins, we can go to Him with any problem we have. He cares about the problems you’re having with math and wants you to ask Him for help. That doesn’t mean you won’t still struggle with math, but He can give you the strength you need to keep at it. He wants you to go to Him for help with all your problems.”

“Even math problems?” Brecken picked his math book up off the floor and smiled. Then he bowed his head to pray.

–Melissa Yeagle

How about you? Do you ask God for help with all your problems? Or only if it’s something really big? Jesus definitely wants to help you with the big problems in your life, but He wants to help you with the small ones too. He loves you so much He died for you, and He cares about everything you’re going through. Ask Him for help with all your problems, big or small.

Today's Key Verse: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (NKJV) Matthew 7:7

Today's Key Thought: Pray about all your problems

Read: Luke 6:43-45

Willow slammed the door and threw herself onto her bed sobbing. It wasn’t fair! She had practiced just as hard as Lailani did for the play tryouts at school. While her best friend was chosen for the lead part as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Willow was just one of the many Munchkins in Munchkinland who might get to sing about lollipops.

Knocking softly on the door, Mom came in and sat down beside Willow. “Your brother told me what happened.” She leaned over and gave Willow a hug. “You know, I think my favorite character in The Wizard of Oz was the Tin Man.”

Willow sniffed. “Why?”

“Well, he wanted a heart so he could feel things. Can you imagine living life without feeling things?”

Willow shook her head. “But my heart doesn’t know how to feel right now.”

“That’s why we need to keep close watch over our hearts,” Mom said. “There’s a Bible verse that talks about guarding your heart above all else because every single thing you do flows from it.”

“What do you mean?” Willow asked, sitting up and wiping the rest of her tears away.

“Your words and actions show what’s really in your heart,” Mom explained. “We all experience difficult feelings in life, but we need to make sure they don’t take control of our hearts and make us act in ways that are wrong. That’s what it means to guard our hearts.”

“So what should I do about the play tryouts and Lailani?” Willow asked.

“Pray,” Mom said. “Jesus understands your feelings because He experienced human feelings too, but He never sinned by letting them take control. Share your feelings with Him and pray that He would help you guard your heart and know what to do next.”

Closing her eyes, Willow prayed and asked Jesus to help her guard her heart and treat others in a loving way even though she felt sad and upset. Then she had an idea. “Can I invite some friends over to watch the Wizard of Oz movie so I can get a head start on being the best Munchkin I can be?”

“Lailani too?” Mom asked.

Willow smiled and nodded. “Lailani too.”

–Kelly Hope

How about you? Have you ever felt sad or upset by something? Maybe you worked hard for something but it didn’t turn out the way you wanted, or someone said or did something that hurt your feelings. It’s okay to feel bad about those things, but don’t let your feelings take control of your heart and determine how you treat others. Jesus understands how you feel, and He will help you guard your heart so His love can flow from it into your words and actions.

Today's Key Verse: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV) Proverbs 4:23

Today's Key Thought: Guard your heart

Read: Romans 8:18, 28-31

Carson tried to stay out of the movers’ way as they carried furniture into the apartment, so he stood in the corner and frowned. “Why the long face?” asked one of the men who was helping.

“I don’t like this apartment,” said Carson. “I miss having my own yard.” He didn’t add that he didn’t know anybody in the neighborhood and would have to go to a new school.

The man nodded. “Well, you know what they say—when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”

“Lemonade?” asked Carson.

The man smiled. “Yeah, you know—make the best of whatever happens. It may seem like a sour lemon, but it can turn into something sweet.”

Carson sighed. He sounds like Mom, he thought. She’s always saying God works things out for good.

Carson went outside and noticed a boy sitting on the steps. “Hi,” Carson said, and the boy glanced up. He looked like he had been crying. “What’s wrong?” Carson asked.

“I don’t like it here,” the boy replied. He had a strong, musical accent. “Bad things happened in my country, so my family left. But everything is different here, and my English is not good.”

“Sounds fine to me.” Carson sat down on the step beside his new neighbor. “I haven’t moved as far as you, but I’m new here too. I have to start school on Monday and don’t know anyone.”

The boy looked at Carson. “I can walk to school and eat lunch with you,” he said.

“Really?” Carson smiled. “And I can help you with English and anything else you have questions about.”

A smile spread across the boy’s face. “Want to play ball?” he asked, pulling up a soccer ball from the side of the step.

“Sure!”

As they kicked the ball around, Carson thought his new home might not be so bad after all. Maybe Mom and the moving guy are right, he thought. Maybe God is making lemonade out of the lemons I got—and the ones my new neighbor got too. I don’t know what God has planned for me, but I’m glad He helped me make a new friend.

–Matilda H. Nordtvedt

How about you? Is there a lemon in your life—something that’s hard for you? God isn’t allowing that circumstance into your life in order to hurt you. He uses everything we go through to make us more like Jesus so we can know Him better and share His love with others. Trust Him to use hard situations for good so others can see Jesus in your life.

Today's Key Verse: We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV) Romans 8:28

Today's Key Thought: Make the best of circumstances

Read: Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20

Hattie stopped in front of the toy shop at the mall. The white tiger in the display had a pink ballerina tutu and little pink toe shoes that laced around its ankles with sparkly pink ribbon. “Mom, look!” called Hattie.

But when Hattie looked around, Mom was nowhere in sight. Hattie’s heart dropped and her head got spinny like when she first rode the rollercoaster at the theme park.

Taking a couple of steps out into the mall, she looked both ways. No Mom. She was alone. Hattie squeezed back tears and prayed, Dear Jesus, please help me find Mom! Then she remembered the verse they’d read during devotions that morning. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.”

Hattie took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. She knew she should stay put and not wander off. Mom couldn’t have gone very far and would be looking for her too. She remembered Mom’s words: If you’re ever lost, stay calm and find a trustworthy adult.

Hattie scanned the mall. It was very busy, and there were lots of adults walking fast. Mom had told her to look for someone with a security uniform or a worker with a name badge. There were no security people that she could see, so she walked into the toy store and up to the counter.

The girl who was ringing up a customer at the register had a nametag on. Hattie spoke up in a loud voice. “Excuse me! Can you please help me? I’m lost.”

The worker immediately called mall security, and the customer put her arm around Hattie. “You are so brave! We’ll find your mom right away.”

When the security people arrived, Hattie gave them her mom’s cell phone number. She was glad Mom had made her memorize it.

Soon Mom rushed into the store to get her. “Oh, Hattie!” Mom cried, scooping her up into a big hug. “I was so worried! All I could think about was you in this big mall all by yourself.”

“Don’t worry, Mom!” said Hattie. “I wasn’t alone. Jesus is always with me, and He helped me remember what to do.”

–Kelly Hollman

How about you? Have you ever been lost? Have there been times when it felt like you were all alone? At times like that, remember that Jesus is always with those who trust in Him. You can go to Him in prayer anytime and receive His peace and strength. He sacrificed His life to save you when you were lost in sin, and He will never leave you. You are never alone.

Today's Key Verse: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. (CSB) Isaiah 41:10

Today's Key Thought: Jesus is always with you