Read: Psalm 119:9-16

Dad’s voice drifted around the corner of the house. “Forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty! Ready or not, here I come!”

Alexei scrunched sideways into the small opening under the porch and pulled his knees up to his chest. “No!” he said as his little sister tried to wriggle in with him. “Go away! There’s not enough room here, and if Dad sees you, he’ll find me too. Go find your own place.” But it was too late.

“Gotcha!” Dad swooped down and swung Nadia off the ground.

Alexei slowly crawled out of his hiding place. “No fair! Nadia gave me away.”

“You could have let her hide with you instead of pushing her out where I could see her,” Dad said.

“There wasn’t enough room,” said Alexei. “That space is so small that if I’m in it, there’s no room for Nadia, and if she’s in it, there’s no room for me. It’s like what we learned in science class—two things can’t be in the exact same space at the exact same time.”

Dad smiled. “You know what? That’s kind of like the Bible verse you learned in church last week.”

“It is?” Alexei tilted his head, trying to remember the verse. “‘Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.’”

Dad nodded. “Let’s think about the space under the porch as being a heart, and you as being God’s Word. And you, Nadia—sorry, honey, but can we let you stand for sin for a moment?” Nadia nodded, and Dad continued. “If God’s Word—that’s you, Alexei—is really hidden in the heart”—Dad motioned toward the small space under the porch—“there won’t be room for sin.” He motioned toward Nadia.

“Is that why we memorize verses?” said Alexei.

“Yes,” Dad replied. “When we memorize verses, we’re spending time learning about God and how He’s saved us and changed us through His Son, Jesus. Because of our relationship with Him, the verses don’t just stay in our heart. They flow into how we live in every area of our lives through the Holy Spirit’s power. When we trust in Jesus, He gives us the power to obey Him instead of giving in to sin—and memorizing God’s Word is a good way to remember that.”

–Jean A. Burns

How about you? Do you have Bible verses you call to mind when you’re tempted to sin? If you’re a Christian, Jesus gives you the power to do what’s right and show His love to others—and putting God’s Word in your heart by reading and memorizing it helps you remember that. Take time to put God’s Word in your heart today, and remember that He is always with you and gives you the power to resist sin.

Today's Key Verse: Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Learn what God says and obey

Read: Matthew 6:31-33; Philippians 4:4-7

“Hi, Mom,” said Leilana. “Did your dentist find any cavities?”

Mom shook her head. “Not one,” she said with a sigh. “There wasn’t anything wrong, but I still have a pretty big bill to pay.”

Leilana laughed. “You sound like you’d be happier if you had a mouthful of rotten teeth so you could feel better about paying the bill. Are you worried about paying it?”

Mom looked startled. Then she grinned. “I guess I’m worrying for no reason,” she said. “I’m really very thankful I didn’t have any cavities. It makes the bill a lot less!”

After dinner that evening, Leilana got out the script for her Thanksgiving play. “Who wants to listen to me say my lines?” she asked.

Her brother Wesley groaned. “Nobody,” he told her. “We’re all tired of hearing them. You’ve been saying them perfectly for a week.”

“But I’m nervous about performing in front of everybody,” Leilana said. “What if I forget my lines?”

“You won’t,” said Wesley. “And I, for one, will be glad when the play is done so we’ll never have to hear them again!”

Leilana flipped through the pages of her script. “I wonder if Julian learned his lines. If he misses them, I might miss the cue to start mine. That would be awful!” She turned to another page. “And I hope Tess remembers to bring the apron she said I could borrow. The play won’t be the same without it.”

Wesley rolled his eyes. “Well, I sure hope something goes wrong for you. You wouldn’t want to worry for nothing!”

Mom turned to Leilana and grinned. “No cavities?” she asked.

They both started laughing. “I’m as bad as you, Mom,” said Leilana. “And you actually have a bill to pay! The things I’m worrying about haven’t even happened.”

“Worrying doesn’t change anything,” said Mom. “That’s why God tells us to bring our worries to Him. Instead of fretting about things we have no control over, we can trust God to take care of us. He sent His Son to die for us so we could be His children, and He’ll make sure we have what we need. Instead of worrying, we can be thankful we belong to Jesus and feel His peace.”

–Hazel W. Marett

How about you? Do you worry—especially about things you can’t control? Usually the things people worry about never happen—and even if they do happen, worrying won’t change anything. God is the one who’s in control, and He promises to be with you and provide for you, no matter what happens. Give your worries to Him so you can feel His peace as you rest in His presence and love.

Today's Key Verse: Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLV)

Today's Key Thought: Pray instead of worrying

Read: Proverbs 15:13-17

“Guess what happened at Grandma and Grandpa’s,” Taylor said, giggling. She and her brother Elliot had just gotten home after spending the weekend with their grandparents. “Grandma had orange juice in a plastic pitcher, and when she picked it up—”

Taylor could no longer talk because she was laughing too hard, so Elliot finished the story. “The handle of the pitcher broke off!”

“Oh no!” said Mom. “It must have made a huge mess.”

“It did,” Taylor said. “Juice splashed all over the cupboards and onto the floor. And there was juice all over Grandma!”

“You should have seen the look on her face,” said Elliot. “She kept holding the handle and staring at it. But then she started to laugh, and we laughed too. We all laughed so hard that Grandpa came in to see what was going on.”

“I thought they’d be upset about the big mess, but they weren’t,” Taylor said. “Grandpa got a big grin on his face and said, ‘Well, Arlene, I know you didn’t like that pitcher, but you didn’t have to go this far to get rid of it, did you?’ We all laughed until our stomachs hurt.”

Dad chuckled. “That’s how your grandparents are. They can usually take an unfortunate situation and find some humor in it. Grandpa loves to quote the verse from Proverbs that says, ‘A joyful heart is good medicine.’”

Taylor nodded. “Cleaning up all that sticky juice didn’t seem so bad while we were laughing.”

“Sometimes it’s easy to get upset when something like that happens,” Mom said. “But you know what? Instead of getting frustrated when things don’t go our way, we can look for the good in the situation—and maybe even laugh about it. God is good, and He sent Jesus to save us and promises to always take care of us, even when things don’t go as planned—and that should always fill our hearts with joy.”

“I’m going to try to laugh more like Grandma and Grandpa,” said Elliot.

“Good,” said Mom. “You can start right now because I have something to tell you. Your gym socks somehow got in with the wrong batch of laundry today and, well—they turned pink!”

Elliot looked startled. Then he joined in as the rest of his family burst into laughter.

–Linda J. Opp

How about you? Do you get upset when unexpected things happen to you? Try to find some humor in the situation. You’ll enjoy life more, and it’s good for your health too! Of course, there are times when more serious things happen that you shouldn’t laugh about, but even then remember that God cares for you and is always with you. So laugh whenever you can and enjoy the life He’s given you!

Today's Key Verse: A joyful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22 (CSB)

Today's Key Thought: Learn to laugh

Read: John 6:5-13; Colossians 3:23-24

“I wish I could help!” Lana said as she watched her older brother and sister get ready for the high school service project. They were going to pass out food at the church’s Thanksgiving food drive.

“You did help,” Mom told Lana. “You took cans of food to your Sunday school class—cans you bought yourself by doing extra chores around the house.”

Lana frowned. “That’s not a big deal.”

“Yes, it is,” said Dad. “If nobody donated food, Isaiah and Natalie wouldn’t have anything to pass out.”

Lana rode along when Dad took Isaiah and Natalie to church that afternoon. “Looks like they’re knocking the old Paulson house down,” Dad said as they drove down the street. “I knew someone bought the place and that it needed repair. I wonder why they don’t just fix it up.”

“I heard that it was full of termites,” said Isaiah. “I guess it was so bad they couldn’t do anything with it.”

“What are termites?” asked Lana.

“Termites are insects,” Natalie told her. “They kind of look like ants.”

“Ants?” Lana looked at the house as they drove by. “They’re taking down that whole building just because of tiny little ants?”

“Termites are about the size of ants, but they eat wood,” Dad explained. “When a lot of them eat at a building for a long time, they ruin the beams that support the building and it becomes unsafe.”

“Yeah, and it can cost more to fix it than to tear it down and start over,” said Isaiah.

“Wow,” said Lana. “I didn’t know something so small could destroy something so big.”

“Yes, small things can make a big difference,” said Dad. “And that applies to good things too—like cans of food.” He smiled at Lana. “I know you don’t think donating cans was a big deal, but it’s a big deal to Jesus. You did it for Him out of the love He’s put in your heart. And when we do something for Jesus—no matter how small—He uses our efforts to do big things. Tiny termites can destroy a house, but the small things we do for Jesus do the opposite. He uses them to build His kingdom and show people how much He loves them.”

–Hazel W. Marett

How about you? Do you think the ways you help are so small that they don’t really matter? In today’s Bible passage, five loaves and two fish didn’t sound like much, but a little boy gave them to Jesus anyway—and Jesus used them to do something huge that blessed many people. When you do something for Jesus, He’ll bless what you do for Him. No effort is too small.

Today's Key Verse: Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart…You are working for the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 (NLV)

Today's Key Thought: Small efforts matter to Jesus

Read: Ephesians 4:30-32; 1 John 1:9

Mia loved playing foursquare. Every day at recess, she was first to grab the big rubber ball and station herself inside the “king” square of the painted foursquare grid.

Thwump! The ball ricocheted out of Tatiana’s square and rolled into the bushes. “You’re out!” called Mia gleefully. “And I’m still in.” Tatiana exited the square.

Womp! The ball bounced into Jonah’s square and flew out before he could hit it to another player. Jonah hung his head and walked to the back of the line.

“I won again!” sang Mia.

A new kid joined the game. Someone Mia didn’t recognize. Mia skillfully palmed the ball and it spun into his square. Would he be able to hit it back?

“Oooh! A spinner!” called Emilie.

Mia held her breath as she waited. The new boy tapped the ball back to her so gently that she lunged to reach it. She missed and flew forward, scraping both knees.

“No fair!” Mia screeched. She grabbed the foursquare ball and threw it as hard as she could. All her friends watched as the ball hit a sharp rock and popped.

Tears filled Mia’s eyes, and she ran.

The recess monitor, Mrs. Goldspeed, found Mia sitting on the curb, head in her arms. “What happened, honey?”

“I…I scraped my knees,” Mia muttered.

“Hmm. Does that have anything to do with this broken ball?” Mrs. Goldspeed held up a piece of rubber folded over her arm like a worn-out rag.

“Well,” hedged Mia. She sighed. “I got mad, because I didn’t win.”

“You know, this deflated ball is like us when we sin,” said Mrs. Goldspeed. “When we are broken, we need God to make us new.” She pulled out a patch and pump. “I can fix this foursquare ball, just like God can fix your heart. Because Jesus died for our sins, we can pray and ask Him to forgive us whenever we need to and He will give us a fresh start.”

Mia bowed her head. “Dear God, I’m sorry for losing my temper. Help me to be kind to others.” She felt clean-hearted and brand new.

When Mia returned to the foursquare game, she grinned to herself. Thank you, God, for mending me just like this patched-up rubber ball.

–Wendy Lynne Smith

How about you? Have you ever felt like a deflated rubber ball—broken because of your sin? The good news is that God wants to restore you and fill you up with His love. You can ask for forgiveness when needed and He will make you like new. Then trust Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit and empower you to be kind to others.

Today's Key Verse: Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: God forgives and restores

Read: Romans 3:21-28

“I have a surprise for you today!” Mom said as Carmen walked into the kitchen.

“What, Mom?” Carmen sat down to a bowl of cereal. “I know about my birthday dinner tonight with Grandma and Papa. That’s not a surprise.”

“This one’s different. I’ll tell you when you get home from school. Hurry with your breakfast so I can walk you to your bus stop on my way to work.”

All day Carmen wondered about Mom’s surprise. When she climbed the steps to her apartment after school that afternoon, Mom was waiting for her at the door. She took Carmen’s bookbag and dropped it in the living room. “Let’s go, mija!”

As they walked down the street, Carmen chatted about gym class. Then Mom stopped in front of a fancy bakery, one Carmen had wanted to visit.

“We’re getting something here?” Carmen asked.

“That’s my surprise! I signed you up for their birthday rewards, so today you get a free cupcake.”

Carmen laughed. “Really?”

Mom nodded. “Let’s go in!”

“Oh, Mom, it smells just like I imagined—even better!” Carmen breathed in the aroma of delicious baked goods. After choosing a chocolate cupcake with buttercream frosting, she and her mother sat down by the windows.

“What a great surprise, Mom! Something so tasty—and it’s free!” Carmen wiped gooey icing from her mouth.

“Does it remind you of something we heard at church last week? About receiving something wonderful for free?” Mom asked.

“Oh yeah! When we trust Jesus to save us and make us God’s children, we get forgiveness for our sins. We also get eternal life with Him…so much good stuff!”

Mom smiled. “Yes, and just like this cupcake, we didn’t have to pay for it. We didn’t have to work to earn God’s love either.”

“Just like I didn’t do anything to earn this cupcake,” said Carmen.

“Right,” answered Mom. “Jesus paid the price so we could be God’s sons and daughters, mija. He died for our sins and rose from the dead to make us part of His family—that’s how much He loves us. We have a lot to celebrate on your birthday—and every day!”

–Allison Wilson Lee

How about you? Have you wondered if you could ever be good enough to receive God’s perfect love? God tells us in the Bible that we don’t need to earn His love or forgiveness—and we could never do that anyway. God loves us so much that He offers us a relationship with Him, along with forgiveness of our sins, as a free gift paid for by Jesus. Receive this free gift today by trusting in Him. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: God’s love is a free gift

Read: Psalm 37:23-28

Weston shuffled through the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. “Wow, I’ve never tried to do a puzzle with so many pieces before!”

“I know it looks hard, but I’m sure you can do it,” said Mom. “Want some help? I could turn the pieces right side up for you.”

“Okay,” Weston said. “I’ll work on the barn.” He started to sift through the jumbled pile, looking for red pieces.

“Weston, do you know what this jigsaw puzzle reminds me of?” Mom asked as she turned pieces over.

“Uh, my room, I guess,” Weston said with a smile. “A big mess!”

Mom laughed. “It does look a lot like the clutter I sometimes see in there, but I had something else in mind—our lives. Sometimes life is puzzling to us. It’s confusing and filled with overwhelming problems, and we can’t see how the pieces can possibly fit together. But God has a plan and purpose for everything that happens. He knows all the pieces will fit perfectly, even when we can’t see how.”

“You mean like the time I didn’t make the Parkside soccer team?” Weston asked.

“Right,” Mom said. “Many of your friends made the team, and you were so disappointed. You didn’t see how that piece of your life fit at all. You even said you might as well give up playing soccer.”

“Yeah, but then Mr. Singh called,” Weston said. “He was coaching the Greenwood team and asked if I’d like to play the goalie position.”

Mom nodded. “So you joined that team, and you really liked it and had a great time.”

“Yeah,” Weston said. “It was so much fun!”

“I think God wanted you on Mr. Singh’s team so we could get to know his whole family,” Mom said. “They accepted our invitation to come to a program at church and heard about Jesus.” She glanced at the puzzle pieces Weston was working on. “Hey, that barn’s really coming together!” She handed him another red puzzle piece. “Just like you’re fitting those pieces together into a barn, God fits all the pieces of our lives together into something good that points to Jesus and His love for us.”

–Annette S. Bury

How about you? Are you going through something difficult or confusing right now? Does your life look like a jumbled mess that will never fit together? We often can’t see or understand how things that are sad or painful could possibly be good. Trust God. He has a purpose for all the things that happen in your life. He promises to fit them together into something good that shows you belong to Jesus.

Today's Key Verse: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (CSB)

Today's Key Thought: God has a purpose for everything

Read: Colossians 3:14-17

“What do you think of this one?” Sofie asked her older sister. Kara was helping her choose an outfit to wear for her school pictures the next day.

“Why don’t you pick something simpler?” Kara suggested. “Remember, Mom said you have to pick clothes without too bold of a pattern so they will look good in the picture.”

Sofie slid the shirt on the hanger and hung it back up in her closet. “Okay.”

“So, how was Sunday school this morning?” Kara asked as she searched through the clothes hanging in Sofie’s closet.

Sofie shrugged. “All right, I guess. I just wish it was more exciting.”

Kara frowned. “I thought you enjoyed Sunday school.”

“I do. I just wish there was more time for games and playing with my friends. Maybe then we would have more kids come to church!”

“I know it can be hard to sit,” Kara said. “And the teachers do their best to make the lessons fun. But sometimes you can get so focused on playing games and seeing your friends that you miss what God wants to teach you.”

“What do you mean?” Sofie asked.

“Well, it’s like your school pictures. If you wear a shirt with a busy pattern, the people who see the picture will focus on your clothes instead of being focused on your beautiful smile.”

“So is playing games with my friends bad?”

Kara pulled another shirt, a pale blue one, out of the closet. “No. It just shouldn’t distract you from the real reason we go to church—to worship Jesus with other Christians and learn about what He tells us in the Bible.” She held the shirt up against Sofie, studying it. “See? It’s like this shirt. It brings out the blue in your eyes without distracting people from what they’re supposed to be looking at.”

“My face!” Sofie smiled. “I get it. We go to church to worship and learn about Jesus, and I should be focusing on Him.” She took the blue shirt from Kara. “You know what? I think I like this one.”

Kara grinned. “Just remember, the most important thing is to wear a smile!”

–Jessica Kleeberger

How about you? What do you focus on when you go to church? It can be fun to play games, do crafts, and visit with friends, but we shouldn’t let that distract us from the real reason we go to church—to learn about Jesus and worship Him. Praying, singing songs, and reading the Bible are all ways we worship Jesus and learn more about Him together. When you go to church, focus on Him.

Today's Key Verse: Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Focus on Jesus at church