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Read: Philippians 4:6-8; James 5:13-16 “Mom! Amara’s in her closet crying,” called out Sadie. “She was fussing all the way home from school too!” Sadie and Amara shared a bedroom, and Amara often hid in her side of the closet when she was upset or wanted to be alone. Pulling back a few dresses, Mom peered into the closet. Tears were streaming down Amara’s face, and her arms were wrapped around her bent knees. Mom gently touched Amara’s arm. “Hey, sweetie, what’s the matter?” Through her tears, Amara muttered, “A kid at school cussed at another kid. The bad words keep coming into my head.” Amara wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Why doesn’t it go away?” Mom crawled into the closet and held Amara. “Oh, Amara, sometimes that happens to us. When it does, we need to remember that we belong to Jesus, whose sacrifice on the cross covers all our bad thoughts—those we think on purpose and those we don’t. Let’s ask Him to help you with this.” Mom closed her eyes and held Amara’s hands. “Dear Jesus, please help Amara know You love her and that You can help stop these bad words in her mind. Your Word tells us to share our problems with others and pray. Please help her as she struggles with these bad thoughts. Thank you, Lord. Amen.” Mom gave Amara a hug. “You know, Amara, another thing that can help with upsetting thoughts is the Bible. There’s a verse in Philippians that tells us to think about good things, and that can help bad thoughts go away. When we read and memorize God’s Word, it helps us focus on Jesus, who promises to be with us in our struggles and give us grace.” Mom picked up Amara’s teddy bear and wiggled it. She gave the bear a silly voice: “Amara, do you want to go find Sadie and have some ice cream with me?” Amara smiled and nodded. The rest of the day, Amara was her happy self, singing and playing with Sadie. During bedtime prayers, Amara said, “Jesus, thank You for loving me and helping me think about good things.” –Carrie Hetzel How about you? Did you know you can talk to God about anything? No matter what you’re struggling with, He wants to hear about it and help you. Sometimes our thoughts can be troubling and scary, and it can be helpful to tell a doctor or trusted adult about how we’re feeling too. God wants us to share our struggles with one another so we can pray and point each other to the truth and love of Jesus. Let His promises in the Bible remind you that He’s with you and offers you grace in every situation. Today’s key verse: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Seek help with struggles

Read: Hebrews 13:5-6 Daniel tightened his helmet and straddled his all-terrain vehicle. “The gas tanks are full,” his older brother Tim shouted over the engine roar. “Let’s tear up the trails.” Daniel kick-started his engine and revved the motor. “Oh yeah. I have a need for speed.” “Follow me,” Tim called. He hit the gas, spinning the tires and shooting dirt and gravel everywhere. They steered their ATVs onto the old freight train route, which had long been abandoned. The wood ties and steel rails had been removed years ago, leaving miles of continuous trails. After several miles, they entered a secluded clearing with a dozen old abandoned train cabooses nearly hidden from view. They both skidded to a stop, cut their engines, and pulled off their helmets. “It looks like a caboose graveyard,” Daniel said. Tim nodded. “Let’s explore.” They set their helmets on the ATVs and cautiously walked toward the cabooses. “You think there’s anything—or anyone—living inside them?” Daniel asked. “We’ll know in a minute,” Tim said. “The first caboose has a broken door. Let’s go inside.” Tim pushed the door. It creaked as it opened, sounding like a haunted house. “This is so cool,” he said. They checked each caboose. They were all identical, with fading paint, cracked windows, and sagging doors. Daniel scratched his head. “Why would anyone abandon them?” Tim picked up a piece of rotting wood. “Somebody felt they weren’t important anymore.” “I’m glad that Jesus doesn’t feel that way about us,” said Daniel. Tim tossed the wood into the tall grass. “The Bible says Jesus will never abandon us.” Daniel smiled. “No matter what trail of life we’re on!” “That’s right,” Tim said. “He loved us enough to die on the cross for our sins. We’re always important to Him.” Daniel looked at the darkening sky. “We’d better head back. But I hate to just leave these things. I wonder if I can adopt a caboose.” Tim laughed. “Have fun getting it home!” –Matt Shoemaker How about you? Have you ever experienced the feeling of being abandoned? People can do hurtful things that make us feel like we’re not important, but Jesus promises never to abandon those who trust in Him. He died for you and rose from the dead so you could have life with Him forever! No matter where you go or what you do, He promises to always be with you. You are important to Him. Today’s key verse: Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:10 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Jesus will never abandon us

Read: Psalm 121; Isaiah 41:10 “Wow, Dad! Did you see those fish?” Maya’s eyes sparkled as she lifted her face out of the water and adjusted her snorkeling mask. “I sure did!” Dad said. “Those little blue ones look like some they have in aquariums at the pet store.” “And I almost touched one of those black-and-yellow-striped ones!” Maya was bubbling with excitement. Dad looked at the setting sun. “Well, it’s getting late. We’d better start swimming back to shore. Are you ready?” “So soon? Well, okay. Bet I can beat you back!” They started toward shore, but it was farther away than Maya had realized. “Dad, can we rest a minute?” she called out after a while. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Dad said as he swam up beside her. “If we do, this current may take us too far off shore. Here—” Dad stretched out his hand. “I’ll pull you along.” Soon they reached shore, tired but safe. When they got home, Maya told her mother about their afternoon. “It’s a good thing Dad was there to tow me in to shore,” she said. “I was really tired!” Mom smiled. “You know, I needed a little towing myself this afternoon.” Maya looked at her in surprise. “You did?” Mom nodded. “I was preparing the lesson I have to teach at church this week, and I felt like quitting. God used a phone call from a friend and some verses I read in the Bible to encourage me. It’s like I was towed back to a better attitude.” “Sometimes Christians can get a little weary of doing things we know are right,” said Dad. “There are times when we need encouragement and help to move us along.” “I know where I’d go for encouragement and help,” said Maya. “You and Mom!” Dad chuckled. “Good. We’ll help as much as we can. God often uses other Christians to help us when we struggle against the current of temptation or difficult circumstances. But there’s an even better source of help we can run to—Jesus Himself. He saved us, and we need to learn to depend on Him in every circumstance. He’s always there to encourage us and pull us along.” –Richard S. Maffeo How about you? Do you sometimes get discouraged in living the Christian life? Do you struggle with temptation or get made fun of for doing what’s right? When you need help and encouragement, turn to Jesus. He may use a Bible verse or another Christian to encourage you. Whenever you’re feeling down, trust Him to be with you and give you the help you need. Today’s key verse: I [God] am with you…I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Look to Jesus for help

Read: Ephesians 4:26-32 The baseball blasted off Logan’s bat like a rocket. “Nice shot,” Jayden said. The ball crashed through the upstairs window of the Cooleys’ house. Mrs. Cooley screamed, and a man’s shouts filled the air. Logan dropped his bat. “We’re dead. Let’s get out of here.” Jayden was already tightening his shoe laces. “If we’re gonna run, it’s now or never.” Mr. Cooley appeared from inside the broken window. “Stay right there, Jayden!” he yelled. “I’m coming down. You’re gonna pay for this!” Jayden froze. “How does he know my name?” he asked Logan. The boys moved closer together as Mr. Cooley stepped into the yard and stomped toward them. “Guess you won’t have to wash the window today, dear,” Mrs. Cooley called from inside. Mr. Cooley stopped—and smiled. “She’s been wanting me to clean that thing all day, but I didn’t want to pull out the ladder. You two may have done me a favor.” Logan looked at Mr. Cooley nervously. “We’ll pay for the damages,” he said. Mr. Cooley sighed. “I really erupted like Mount St. Helens, didn’t I?” Jayden scratched his head. “Who’s St. Helen? Your wife?” Mr. Cooley laughed. “No. Not my wife. Mount St. Helens is a volcano in Washington State that blew it’s top in 1980. It was one of the largest natural disasters in US history.” He shook his head. “Sorry, boys. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. It was wrong.” “You’re saying sorry—to us?” Jayden asked. “But we busted your window!” “And I overreacted,” said Mr. Cooley. “The Bible has a lot to say about anger. While it’s okay to feel angry, we shouldn’t let our anger cause us to sin and keep us from showing others God’s love.” He smiled at the boys. “It’s clear I’m still learning lessons about controlling my anger.” Jayden smiled back. “That’s okay.” “And you boys need to learn some lessons too,” Mr. Cooley said. “Like not to play baseball too close to houses.” Mr. Cooley held up the ball and pointed to Jayden’s name written on it. “And to never write your name on a ball if you’re going to send it through a window.” He winked. “There are too many hotheads living around here!” –Matt Shoemaker How about you? Do you have trouble controlling your anger? Does your temper erupt like a volcano? It’s natural to get angry, but letting anger lead to hurtful and unkind words does a lot of damage and keeps you from showing others God’s love. When you feel like you’re about to blow your top, stop and remember how much Jesus loves you. Then trust Him to help you love others the way He does. Today’s key verse: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Control anger

Read: 1 John 1:5-9 Holding his dirty, greasy hands high in front of him, Dad pushed the kitchen door open with his elbow. “Please turn on the faucet for me, Charlie,” he said. “I don’t want to touch anything.” “Wow!” said Charlie, quickly turning on the water. “How did you get your hands so dirty?” “I’ve been working on the car,” replied Dad. Charlie shook his head. “You’ll never get those hands clean.” “Sure I will,” said Dad. “But not with regular soap. There’s some special hand cleaner under the sink. It’s made for removing grease and oil.” Charlie reached under the sink and pulled out the container of hand cleaner. Dad sank his fingers into the goo and rubbed it over his hands. He worked it in well, scrubbing between his fingers and around the nails with a soft brush. When he was finished, he rinsed his hands under the warm water. “What do you think?” he asked, holding up his hands for Charlie to inspect. “That’s amazing!” said Charlie. “You had the dirtiest hands I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe you got them so clean!” Dad grinned as he dried his hands. That evening Dad and Charlie watched a news report about a prisoner who said he had turned his life over to Christ and was now totally changed. Charlie turned to Dad. “Did you hear all the awful things that guy did?” he asked. “He can’t just say he’s sorry and be forgiven after doing all those horrible things, can he?” “If he’s trusted Jesus as his Savior, God has forgiven him,” Dad replied. “Jesus shed His blood on the cross for our sins, and that blood is powerful enough to cleanse even the most sinful of souls.” “So if a person trusts Jesus to save them from sin, God will forgive them no matter what they’ve done?” asked Charlie. Dad nodded and held up his hands. “The blood of Jesus is far more powerful than the cleanser I used on my dirty, greasy hands,” he said. “Jesus’s blood truly is an amazing cleanser!” –Judith A. Philip How about you? Has your sin been washed away by Jesus’s blood? Maybe you’ve done some really terrible things and don’t think you could ever be forgiven. It doesn’t matter how big or small your sins seem to you or other people. All sin is terrible in God’s sight, but Jesus’s blood is powerful enough to wash it all away! Confess your sin and trust in Him, and He will forgive you. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: The blood of Jesus washes sin away

Read: John 15:9-14; 1 John 3:16-18 “Mom, there he is! Grab the bag!” Harper pressed her nose against the glass of the car window as Mom smiled and handed the man on the corner a bag filled with food and treats. The man smiled and said, “God bless you!” as he accepted the free gift. Whenever they went out, Mom, Harper, and Lincoln would bring a bag of food for anyone they saw who was in need. Then they would pray for the person after they received their bag. “Dear God,” Lincoln prayed, “please help this man have enough food to fill him up today, and give him a warm place to sleep tonight. Most of all, if he doesn’t know You, we pray that he would open up his heart to you. Amen.” “I bet he’ll love those chocolate chip banana muffins we made!” Harper said with a grin. Lincoln laughed. “Yeah, good thing we went out today. There might not have been any left if we hadn’t—they were so tasty!” Harper grew quiet as she looked out her window. “Mom? Do you think that man knows what love is?” “Do you remember the verse we wrote down and put in the bag for him?” Mom asked. “Yeah! First John 3:16. ‘This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.’” “Exactly right,” Mom answered. “Do you know the rest of that verse? It says, ‘And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.’” “We can’t die for people every day!” Lincoln reasoned. Mom laughed. “No, we can’t. But we can let our words and actions tell others that Jesus loved them enough to die for them. We not only need to tell people about God’s love, we need to show it in the way we act toward others.” “So I guess that man does know what love is, because we showed him!” Harper said excitedly. “Hey, Mom?” Lincoln asked as they pulled into their driveway. “After we unload the groceries, will you show us the love of Jesus by making us more muffins?” –Savannah Coleman How about you? Do you want to show others love? God showed us the greatest love there is by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us. You can share that love with others every day through your actions as well as your words. Can you make a card for someone who is sick or rake up leaves for an elderly neighbor? God will use whatever you do for Him to show others His free gift of love in Jesus Christ. Today’s key verse: Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Show God’s love in action

Read: Isaiah 42:6-7; Luke 4:18; 10:23-24 “Mom, what’s that lady doing over there?” Layla pointed to a woman with dark glasses who was tapping a small thin cane back and forth on the floor. “She’s blind,” Mom answered as she placed a bag of sugar in their shopping cart. “That cane helps her know where she’s going.” “You mean she can’t see?” Layla asked, feeling sorry for the woman. “That’s right.” Mom looked at the woman again. “Wait, that’s Rebecca Thomas! She lives down the street from us. Let’s go say hello.” After talking to Miss Thomas for a while, they finished their shopping and were soon on their way home. “Mom, I don’t understand something,” Layla said. “How can Miss Thomas be so happy? If I was blind, I’d be miserable!” “Rebecca used to be miserable, even before she went blind,” Mom replied. “She once told me that before she knew Jesus, she only thought about herself and her own comforts and desires. After she lost her sight, she became very bitter. Then someone told her about Jesus, and she trusted Him as her Savior. He helped her see in a whole new way. Now she uses her time to help other blind people know about God’s grace and love.” “Wow! So she’s happy because Jesus helped her see better as a blind person?” Mom laughed. “I guess you could say that. He helped her see His love for her and her need for Him, and He’s using her to help others see they need Him too.” “Like in the song ‘Amazing Grace,’” said Layla. “How does that part go? ‘I was blind, but now I see.’” Mom nodded as she turned the car into their driveway. “Even though Miss Thomas can’t see physically anymore, Jesus gave her spiritual sight so she could see and know Him. He used a bad situation in her life and turned it into something good. Now she’s helping others who are going through dark, difficult times know that the goodness of Jesus and the joy of knowing Him outweighs everything bad.” “I’m going to remember that,” Layla said. “I want to help others see and know Jesus too!” –Elena Ketner How about you? Has Jesus given you sight? Can you see His great love for you? You can’t see Him with your physical eyes, but with spiritual sight, you’re able to see the love and grace He offers everyone. You can have peace knowing He’s always with you, even in life’s darkest moments, and you can help others see Him too. Seeing and knowing Him is the greatest blessing of all. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: Then Jesus turned to his followers…He said, “It is a great blessing for you to see what you now see!” Luke 10:23 (ERV) Today’s key thought: Jesus gives spiritual sight

Read: Joshua 2:8-11 “Here you go.” Louis handed his sister a doll. “I found her on the ground outside and didn’t want you to lose her.” Louis looked to his mom as his sister ran off. “Grandma and I have been reading the Old Testament together,” he said. “That’s the first part of the Bible. There are some pretty cool stories in it.” “Yeah?” Mom said, glancing up from the cookbook open in front of her. Louis nodded. “God helped the Israelites by making the water part so they could walk across it. And He rescued them and helped them fight bad guys. He even made a donkey talk.” Mom smiled like she didn’t believe him. “I don’t know, bud,” she said. “If all of that was true, wouldn’t other people have noticed? Wouldn’t they all have believed in and worshiped God?” “There are stories of that too,” Louis said. “There was one woman who told the Israelites that the people where she lived were scared because they’d heard stories of what God could do.” Mom looked at him for a long moment before closing the cookbook. “You know,” she said quietly, “I guess I can see how maybe…well…” She sighed. “I have seen you changing since you started going to church and studying the Bible with your grandma. You’re a lot kinder to your sister, for one. And you’re helpful at home. Maybe there’s something to all of that.” “There is!” Louis said. “Jesus made me a new person and helps me love others. I can tell you so many stories about God, Mom.” Mom smiled. “I might have you do that one day.” Louis hoped it would be soon. “Not today?” he asked. Mom shook her head. “I need to get dinner going.” “Okay.” Louis sighed. “I’ll go play with Lily while you do.” If being nice to his sister was helping to convince his mom that there was a God and that He was up to great things, he would keep praying and trusting God to help him be a good big brother. Please, God, he prayed, help Mom believe. Thank you for doing big things to show people that You are real and powerful and that you love them. –Emily Acker How about you? Have you ever shared a story from the Bible with someone to help them know more about God? Have you shared what Jesus has done for you and how He’s changed your life? God’s power is as real today as it was in the past, and you can help others know about it. As you share God’s truth from the Bible and let His love be seen in your life, others can know how powerful and good He is. Today’s key verse: Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Show God’s power

Read: Matthew 6:25-34 “Mrs. Melton sure is going to like the dinner we’re taking to her,” Kehlani said, buckling her seat belt and peeking at the rolls under the bread cloth. Mom smiled. “I think so too. Her hands must be full with the new baby.” Kehlani put both hands firmly on the warm bowl of rolls. “Mom, will I have a baby when I grow up?” “I don’t know, honey,” Mom replied. “Only God knows that.” “But I want to know. I want Him to tell me now.” Kehlani stared glumly out the window as they approached a stop sign. “Turn right at the next intersection,” said a voice on Mom’s phone, and Mom did as instructed. “Didn’t we pass the library the last time we drove to the Meltons’?” Kehlani asked, twisting in her seat to look back at the intersection. “Is the map on your phone wrong?” “No. It knows where it’s taking us,” Mom assured her. “The Meltons moved to a new house last month, remember?” “Oh yeah, I forgot.” Kehlani leaned back. “Good thing your phone knows where to go. It tells you each direction just when you need it.” Mom nodded. “It’s a little like what God does. He directs each turn in our lives—just one turn at a time.” “But how does He give directions?” asked Kehlani. “Through the Bible?” “Yes, often through the Bible,” Mom replied. “And sometimes He uses other things to point us in the right direction. Like…a phone call telling us someone is in the hospital might also tell us to pray for that person or go visit them.” “Turn left,” the voice broke in. “When I’m driving, I don’t need to know all the turns right away. All I need is the next turn,” said Mom. “We don’t need to know all the turns in life either. We just need to remember that God will reveal each next turn in His perfect time. He’s our heavenly Father who sent His own Son to die for us and make us His children, and we can trust Him to guide us through all of life’s turns.” Kehlani grinned as the car wheels crunched on a gravel driveway. “I think I know my next turn—taking these rolls in to Mrs. Melton!” –Laura Raborn How about you? Do you wonder what kind of job you’ll have when you grow up? Or where you’ll live? Or who your friends will be? God knows every detail of your future, but you don’t have to know it all now. What direction does He have for you today? Is it to help out at church, or to be there for a friend in need? Trust Him to show the turns you should take, one by one. Today’s key verse: Do not worry about tomorrow. Matthew 6:34 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Trust God for life’s next step

Read: Jeremiah 23:24; Hebrews 4:13 Mark and Sarah ran home. “Dad!” Dad was in the kitchen. “Did you record videos of ducks at the park?” “Sarah and I…” Mark panted, “saw…a crime!” Sarah handed Dad his phone. “A lady’s purse was stolen!” “This is serious,” Dad said. “You two are eyewitnesses. What happened?” “We set your phone on a bench and started the video,” Sarah said. “Then we put bread out for the ducks and hid.” “Someone yelled,” Mark said. “We looked and saw a guy grab a lady’s purse and run away. He never saw us, but we saw him!” “The thief ran into the parking lot,” Sarah said. “He jumped into a pickup truck and sped away.” “A red Ford,” Mark said, nodding. Sarah shook her head. “A rusty brown Chevy.” Dad grabbed a pen and paper and began writing. “What did he look like?” Mark fanned his sweaty T-shirt. “I’ll never forget him as long as I live—he had brown hair and a beard.” Sarah looked at Dad. “He only had a mustache.” “And he had a tattoo of a compass on his arm,” Mark said. Sarah pictured it in her mind. “It was an anchor.” “I hope the purse-snatcher won’t get away,” Mark groaned. Dad tapped his Bible. “I’m sure he’s hiding, but who can’t he hide from?” “That’s easy,” Mark said. “God!” “Right,” Dad said. “The Bible tells us He sees everything we do—both good and bad. Humans can’t see everything, and we often get the details wrong. But God sees us perfectly and knows every detail of our lives. He knows we all do wrong things, but He loves us so much that Jesus died to save us. We can’t hide anything from Him.” “Wow, God’s the ultimate eyewitness!” Mark said. Dad held up his phone. “You said you had the video running the whole time?” Seconds later they watched the clip—and every detail of the purse-snatching was there. Even a clear shot of the man’s face—and his truck. “The camera caught everything,” Mark said. “But God sees every detail even better!” Dad dialed 9-1-1. “Hello, I’d like to report a crime.” –Matt Shoemaker How about you? Have you ever tried to hide something you did? Some people think that because they can’t see God, He doesn’t see them. That’s not true. Even if our sins are not seen by others, God sees them. He doesn’t miss anything, ever. He sees everything clearly and in exact detail—and even when we sin, He still loves us. Instead of hiding your sin, confess it to Him and He will forgive you. Today’s key verse: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) Today’s key thought: God sees everything

Read: Colossians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:14-15 Jackson Henry! Had Dad really called out that name to be in their small group nature walk tomorrow? Nolan was still mad at Jackson for goofing around and breaking his compass on their last church campout. Renewed anger filled Nolan. He stomped off to the cabin. A few minutes later, Dad opened the door. “Come with me. I want to show you something.” Dad’s tone left no room for argument. Sighing, Nolan scuffed across the floor to the door then followed Dad down a trail. Dad stopped by a large rock and pointed toward the top of a tall tree. “See that spruce tree with the orange yellow clump on its branches?” “Yes.” Nolan looked intently at the tree. “Is it some kind of nest?” “No. The tree is diseased with a fungus commonly called broom rust. The mass created by the disease looks like the bristles of a straw broom.” Nolan studied the bristled mass. “Why don’t the forest rangers treat the tree to kill the disease?” “They can’t. Once a tree is diseased, there is no cure.” “That’s too bad,” Nolan said. “I agree. You know, that same type of thing happens to people. Our feelings get hurt or a possession gets broken, and instead of forgiving the offender, we carry a grudge. Holding a grudge causes bitterness to fester and grow inside of us. Over time, it shows on our faces and in our actions—kind of like that fungus on the tree.” Dad raised his brows. “I saw your reaction after I read Jackson’s name. I’m confused. I thought you forgave Jackson when he apologized for breaking your compass.” “I tried,” Nolan said. “But I feel angry when I think about my compass or when Jackson’s around. I’m not sure how to get rid of the bad feelings.” Dad put a hand on Nolan’s shoulder. “Unlike the infected spruce tree, Christians have someone who can cure our spiritual diseases, like grudges. Jesus died so you could be forgiven for all your sins, and He can heal your heart. Trust Him to help you forgive others and replace those feelings of anger and bitterness with love. Have you asked Him to help you forgive Jackson?” “No, but I will.” Nolan bowed his head and began to pray. –Rose Ross Zediker How about you? When someone wrongs you, do you dwell on the incident and harbor ill feelings toward that person? God tells us to forgive as He forgives us. He doesn’t dwell on our past mistakes because Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross for all our sins. Forgiving can be hard, but if you depend on God to help you, He can replace the bad feelings in your heart with His love. Today’s key verse: Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Trust God to help you forgive

Read: John 3:14-17 “Wow!” Henry said as he scrambled aboard the helicopter. “This is so cool!” He and his friend Owen were taking a helicopter ride with Owen’s Uncle Shane, who was a pilot for an emergency helicopter service. Henry sat down in one of the seats. “I never thought I’d get a chance to ride in one of these!” Uncle Shane chuckled. “I always have eager passengers. Take my last one, for example. A couple of young guys were mountain climbing near here, and one of them fell over the edge of a cliff and landed on a ledge. He was trapped in an odd spot where no one could climb down to help him, so my partner and I had to fly in to rescue him. Now there was an eager passenger!” “How did you get him out?” Henry asked. “Was there room to land?” “No,” replied Uncle Shane, “but this helicopter has a lot of special equipment, like that rescue basket you see over there.” He pointed to a long wire mesh basket attached to a rope. “While I hovered the helicopter over the spot, one of my partners went down in the basket to the man on the ledge. He got him into the basket and brought him back up into the helicopter. That man was even more happy to be on board than you are.” The boys strapped themselves into their seats. “You know, we’re something like that mountain climber,” Uncle Shane said as he flipped some switches on the console. “He was helpless to save himself, and we’re helpless sinners who aren’t able to save ourselves either.” “Yeah,” said Owen. “That rescue basket was the only thing that could save him that day, and Jesus is the only one who can save us, right?” “Exactly,” said Uncle Shane. “He came down to earth and died on the cross to save us. He’s the only one who can rescue us from sin and bring us into the safety of eternal life with Him.” “So we should be even more thankful than that mountain climber was,” Henry replied. “His life on earth was saved for a while, but Jesus saves us for all eternity.” “That’s right,” said Uncle Shane. He revved up the helicopter’s engines. “Now, prepare for takeoff!” –Harry C. Trover How about you? Did you know that Jesus came to earth to rescue you from sin? He paid the penalty for your sins on the cross so you could be saved. He is the only one who can rescue you from eternal death and give you eternal life. Trust Him as your Savior and know you are safe with Him. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today’s key verse: Everyone who believes in him [Jesus] will have eternal life. John 3:15 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Only Jesus can rescue us from sin

Read: John 21:15-17 “Why do we have to do this?” Grayson pinched his nose as he eyed his uncle’s barn. “We’re helping out for a few days,” Mom said. “Come on, the sheep are waiting.” Grayson dragged his feet as they walked over to the barn. Mom led the way to a pen of dirty, wooly sheep. She held out a handful of dry food, and all the animals raced over to her. “You’re going to let them eat off your hand?” Grayson made a face. Mom giggled as one of the sheep ran its thick tongue over her hand. “It’s actually fun.” She glanced back at Grayson. “If you don’t want to feed them, you can get them water. We need to take care of them to help your uncle while he’s recovering from surgery.” “Uncle Bill’s never done anything for us,” Grayson muttered as he turned away. Grayson filled a bucket with water and carried it to the sheep’s pen. He tried to pour it carefully into their trough, but it still splashed, and he let out a scream as dirty water got on his legs. “You can shower when we get home,” Mom said. She smiled as one of the sheep stuck its nose in the trough. “Did you know that Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, all in a row?” Grayson’s forehead wrinkled. Why was his mom suddenly bringing up a Bible story? “Each time Peter said that he did, Jesus told him to care for His sheep.” “Jesus had sheep?” Grayson stared at his mom. “He didn’t mean actual sheep,” Mom said. “He meant people that He died on the cross to save. People like me and you. People like your uncle Bill.” Grayson sighed. “So by caring for Uncle Bill’s sheep, we’re caring for Jesus’s sheep too?” Mom nodded. “Caring for Uncle Bill’s sheep shows that we love him, and it shows that we love Jesus too. He loves Uncle Bill and wants us to show him His love by helping him.” Grayson looked at the dirty animals before reaching for his mom’s bucket of feed. “If this shows that I love Jesus, okay.” He grabbed a handful of food. When he held it out and the sheep moved from his mom to him, he couldn’t help but smile. –Emily Acker How about you? How often do you do something for someone simply because you want to show them God’s love? Jesus says that when we care for others and show them the same kind of love He has shown us, we’re doing those things for Him (Matthew 25:31-40). Is there someone who you could do something for today to cheer them up and show them God’s love? Today’s key verse: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 (NIV) Today’s key thought: Show love by caring for others

Read: Psalm 119:41-48 “Ouch!” grumbled Ember one morning as she yanked the brush through her thick hair. “You could cut your hair, you know, or wear braids at night,” said her older sister Paige, who was propped up in bed with her Bible. “Well, right now I just want to get it untangled!” Ember gritted her teeth as she pulled on the brush. “Let me help.” Paige took the brush and started working on the snarls. “You should have strong arms after doing this so much,” she said as she attacked another section of hair. “Am I pulling too much?” “No more than I do.” After a few minutes, Paige put the brush on the dresser. “That should do it! Now I’d better finish untangling my head before I have to get ready for school.” She picked up her Bible again. “What do you mean, untangle your head?” Ember asked as she stuffed books into her book bag. “Your hair doesn’t get in knots like mine does.” “My hair doesn’t get in knots, but my mind does,” said Paige. “Sometimes I get really worried about things. Then I have trouble concentrating on schoolwork and other things I have to do throughout the day.” “So how do you untangle it?” asked Ember. “A brush untangles hair. What untangles minds?” “The Bible helps me. I make sure I read some verses from it every day,” replied Paige. “My thoughts seem to get tangled up all by themselves—just like your hair does—but reading God’s Word helps me remember that Jesus loves me and died for me and that He promises to be with me in every situation. Getting His Word into my mind helps me straighten out my thinking.” “Maybe I should try that too.” Ember heaved her book bag to her shoulder. “But since my bus comes so early, doing it after school or before bed would work better for me.” She looked around. “Where’s my sweater?” “Over there.” Paige pointed to the corner. “You’re right, Ember. You should try reading some Bible verses every day. Untangling your thoughts is even more important than untangling your hair!” –Miriam K. Nowak How about you? Do your thoughts get all mixed up sometimes? Do you worry about school, friends, or what’s going on at home? Pick up your Bible and let God’s words speak to your heart. They’ll remind you of how much Jesus loves you and His promise to always be with you. Get your thoughts untangled by focusing on the truth of God’s Word. Today’s key verse: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) Today’s key thought: Get God’s Word into your mind

Read: Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27 Isaac watched as baby Eloise blinked, nodded, and finally closed her eyes. When he was sure she was asleep, he looked at his mom in the rearview mirror. “Mom? Do you think heaven is gonna be—I don’t know—boring?” Mom glanced at him. “What makes you say that?” Isaac squirmed. “Well, everyone’s always talking about how great heaven will be, but it sounds like all we’ll be doing is singing like we do in church. I like church okay, but I don’t think I’d want to be there all the time. I’d miss pizza and basketball and stuff like that. I like it here!” Suddenly Eloise jumped in her sleep and cried out, and Isaac reached over to pat her hand. “Do you suppose Eloise was thinking something like that three months ago?” Mom asked. Isaac was puzzled. “How could she? She’s only two months old!” “Yes, but she was alive before she was born, you know. Maybe she liked being in my stomach, where she was warm and comfortable and never hungry. If someone asked her if she wanted to be born and be part of a new world, she might have said no.” “If she did that, she’d be missing out!” Isaac said. “I agree. We couldn’t even begin to describe the sights, sounds, and tastes to her. And I think it’s the same with us. We can’t imagine how wonderful it will be to see Jesus in heaven or what it will be like when He restores all of creation one day and makes everything new. All we know is that it will be a perfect world free from sin, pain, and death.” “So, if Jesus is making the whole world new again, do you think there will be pizza and basketball?” Mom laughed. “Maybe! All I know for sure is that we’ll be with Jesus, and there’s nothing better than that. He’s always with us now, of course, but there we’ll see Him face-to-face.” “Kind of like how Eloise could hear your voice when she was in your stomach, but she couldn’t see your face until she was born?” “Exactly,” said Mom. “Jesus wants us to enjoy our time on earth now, but being with Him in heaven will be so much better. It won’t be boring at all!” –Susan S. Arcand How about you? Do you wonder what heaven will be like? Are you afraid some of the things you love now won’t be there? We don’t know exactly what heaven will be like, but we know there won’t be any sin, pain, or death. The new earth Jesus has promised us will be a wonderful place where we will live with Him forever. It will be better than anything we can imagine! Today’s key verse: In My Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Heaven will be great