Keys for Kids Devotional: July/Aug/Sept 2016

JULY 1

Where’s God?

READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:6-8; PSALM 139:7-10

Joanna lay on the sofa, her face pale, her bald head a circle against the pillow. Medical treatments had caused her hair to fall out. Her grandmother looked over just as Joanna dabbed a tear from her eye. What’s wrong, honey? asked Grandma. Not feeling so good today?

I’m scared, replied Joanna in a trembling voice. It seems like God has gone away. Ever since I got sick, it feels as if He isn’t here at all.

Grandma squeezed Joanna’s hand. It may feel like that, she said, but God promises to always be with us. Sometimes it’s hard to keep praying and trusting Him, but we need to do that. She sat down beside Joanna. The way you feel isn’t surprising, though, added Grandma. It reminds me of something that happened to me when I was little.

Were you sick, too? asked Joanna.

Grandma shook her head. No. I was with my family on a train trip, she said. We stopped in a city, and my daddy got off the train. I was afraid it would leave without him. I remember watching for him to come back, and I was so relieved when I finally saw him walk past the window. But a few minutes later, the train started moving, and he hadn’t come back to our car. I was absolutely terrified!

So he was left behind? asked Joanna.

No, but even though my mother kept saying she knew my daddy was somewhere on that train, I couldn’t quite believe her, replied Grandma. I was sure he had missed it, and I cried and cried until he walked back into the car. Grandma smiled. I should have believed my mother when she said my daddy was on the train, she added. I would have saved myself a lot of worry if I had trusted her word. And we can also save ourselves a lot of worry if we trust God’s Word. It’s more trustworthy than any person’s. When everything seems to be going wrong in our lives, we can trust God to care for us and work all things for our good. We can believe it when He says He’ll never leave us.

Joanna was thoughtful. Show me where it says that, she said after a moment. I want to read it for myself. – VIOLET E. NESDOLY

GOD IS ALWAYS NEAR YOU

KEY VERSE

HE (GOD) HIMSELF HAS SAID, I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.    HEBREWS 13:5

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE GOD HAS FORGOTTEN YOU? When you’re sick, your parent loses their job, your friend moves away, or your family splits up, it’s easy to think He doesn’t care and has left you on your own. But even if you don’t feel God’s presence, the Bible says He is near to those who know Him. God is always with you, no matter how you feel.

JULY 2

Sweeter Than Choco-Cakes

READ: PSALM 119:97-104

Angela read Mom’s grocery list as she walked down the familiar aisles at the store. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a box of chocolate cream-filled snack cakes sitting on the shelf and her mouth watered. I wish Mom had put Choco-Cakes on this list, she thought.

As she walked back to the produce section, Angela thought about those Choco-Cakes and how good they would have tasted. She found her mother and placed the items from her list into the cart. Why the frown? asked Mom. Are you upset about something?

No, answered Angela, I was just wishing I could have picked up Choco-Cakes instead of all this stuff. I just love those things! She rolled her eyes dramatically. When I walk past them, I can almost hear them call out my name: ‘Angela—I’m over here! Buy me! Eat me!’ They’re so good! She and Mom both laughed.

And what does the honey say when you walk by? asked Mom as she took a jar of honey from floor display. It’s sweet. Does it call your name, too?

Angela shrugged. No, she replied. Honey’s okay, but I don’t ever crave it. Do you?

Mom smiled. No, but I think a lot of people in the Bible did, she said thoughtfully. I was reading the book of Psalms this morning where the author says God’s words are sweeter than honey.

I remember that verse, said Angela. We had to learn it for church once. Maybe it would make more sense to me if I liked honey better.

The writer must have liked honey a lot, replied Mom, but he’s saying that he likes God’s Word even better. But for you… Mom paused. Why not think of it this way? God wants you to be hungry for His Word—the Bible— because it makes us wise and teaches us how to live the way He wants. God wants you to be more hungry for His Word than for anything else in this world, including Choco-Cakes!

Angela grinned. That I can understand, she said. That would mean I like His Word a whole lot! ♥ JAUNITA URBACH

BE HUNGRY FOR GOD’S WORD

KEY VERSE

HOW SWEET ARE YOUR WORDS TO MY TASTE, SWEETER THAN HONEY TO MY MOUTH!    PSALM 119:103

ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR GOD AND HIS WORD? Think of something you really like to eat and compare your desire for that to your desire to know what God says. It’s not wrong to enjoy the good things God provides for you, but you should also enjoy hearing from God by reading the Bible. Taste its sweetness every day by taking a few minutes to read some verses from it.

JULY 3

Just Take It

READ: ROMANS 4:5-8; EPHESIANS 2:8-9

Gotcha!" Henry shouted as he took another one of Calvin’s game pieces off the board. Calvin groaned, then gave Henry a playful shove.

Calvin, said Henry’s mom as she came into the room, you’re welcome to stay for dinner if you’d like. I’m making roast chicken and biscuits.

Really? Thanks! exclaimed Calvin. I love your cooking!

Call your mom and make sure it’s okay, said Henry’s mom. Tell her we’ll drop you off on our way to church—or you can come to church with us.

Okay, said Calvin. After Henry’s mom left, Calvin turned to Henry. You sure have to work hard to be Christians, don’t you?

What do you mean? asked Henry.

You go to church all the time, replied Calvin, and you can’t do certain things.

But that’s not what makes us Christians, said Henry. Trusting in Jesus is the only thing that counts. Calvin just shrugged.

When Henry’s mom called them into the kitchen, Calvin’s mouth watered at the smell of the chicken and biscuits. Is there anything I can do? he asked. Do you need help setting the table?

Nope, said Henry’s mom. Everything’s already done. She picked up a steaming dish. All you need to do is eat!

They sat down and Henry’s dad said a prayer, then Henry’s mom passed the chicken to Calvin. This looks delicious! he said as he stuck his fork into a leg. He bit into it and closed his eyes. Wow, he said. I could never cook like this!

Henry’s mom smiled. Calvin, she said, I overheard you say that being a Christian seems like a lot of work, but it’s Jesus who did all the work. We go to church and try to do what’s right because we love God, not to become Christians. Salvation from sin is a gift from God. She passed the bowl of biscuits to Calvin. It’s just like this meal I made. You don’t need to work for it. Just take it.

A smile spread across Calvin’s face. I think I will, he said. He bit into a biscuit and chewed it thoughtfully. Can I come to church with you tonight? I want to hear more about this gift of salvation. ♥ ESTHER M. BAILEY

RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

KEY VERSE

THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.    ROMANS 6:23

HAVE YOU ACCEPTED THE GIFT OF SALVATION? There’s nothing you can do to earn a gift. You can’t become a Christian by doing good things or going to church. You only become a Christian by accepting the gift of eternal life that Jesus died to give you and by trusting in Him. (See the ABCs of Salvation near the end of this book.)

JULY 4

A Reason to Celebrate

READ: JOHN 8:31-36

Grandpa, look at that one! exclaimed Danny as a burst of colored sparks filled the air. It’s the best one yet. The fireworks display was spectacular. Amid ahs and ohs" from the crowd, a variety of reds, greens, yellows, blues, and blazing whites lit up the sky.

After the grand finale, Grandpa and Danny stood and stretched. Do you know why we celebrate the Fourth of July? asked Grandpa.

Sure, replied Danny as they walked back to the car. It’s a special day that’s set aside to celebrate our freedom and liberty.

Grandpa nodded. We live in a country where we can choose what kind of work we want to do, travel where we want, say what we think, vote for those we want to be elected, and meet for public worship of God, he said. Not everyone has those privileges.

I know, Grandpa, said Danny. I’m glad we can do those things here.

I am, too, agreed Grandpa. After a moment, he added, But did you know, Danny, that the greatest freedom anyone can have is available to people in every country of the world?

It is? asked Danny.

Grandpa nodded. Unfortunately, many people don’t know about that freedom, he said. I’m talking about the freedom that Jesus Christ gives to everyone who trusts in Him. When we ask Him to forgive us for all the wrong things we’ve done and become our Savior, He makes us His children and frees us from the power and punishment of sin. That’s the most spectacular freedom anyone will ever have.

Then we should celebrate that, too, said Danny with a grin. Can we have fireworks again tomorrow?

Grandpa laughed. That might not be a bad idea, he said. We should certainly let the world know about this freedom and tell people that they can enjoy it, too. All right. We’ll have to think about a good way to celebrate our freedom in Christ, and then let’s do it! ♥ LINDA E. KNIGHT

CELEBRATE FREEDOM IN CHRIST

KEY VERSE

IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU SHALL BE FREE INDEED.    JOHN 8:36

DO YOU CELEBRATE THE FREEDOM FROM SIN THAT JESUS GIVES? If you know Him as your Savior, you are truly free—you’re no longer ruled by sin, and you’re free from its punishment. That’s a reason to celebrate! Be as outspoken about your freedom in Christ as you are about the other freedoms you enjoy. Let others know they can have this freedom, too!

Firecracker Surprise

ACTIVITY

Want a cool way to celebrate your freedom in Jesus? Make a firecracker surprise and give it to someone! It’s a way for you to celebrate and also share the good news of salvation with a friend. You can make and share as many as you want!

For each one, you’ll need:

1 toilet paper tube

red construction paper

glue

2 red rubber bands

tissue paper

1 lollipop

a small piece of paper

that says Celebrate freedom in Jesus!

Directions:

1.   Cut construction paper just wide enough to fit around the tube. Wrap it around the tube and glue it down securely.

2.   Cut two red paper circles about an inch larger than the ends of the tube. Place one of them over the bottom of the tube and hold it in place with a rubber band.

3.   Stuff tissue paper into the tube to about 2 inches (5 cm) from the top.

4.   Poke the stick of the lollipop through the center of the other circle. Then, with the candy side down, put the lollipop into the tube on top of the tissue and pull the paper circle down over the tube. Secure it with the other rubber band.

6.   Glue the paper message to one side of the tube.

7.   Give the firecracker surprise to a friend. Tell them how Jesus made you free and that they can have that freedom, too.

Ask an Adult: What are some other ways we can celebrate the freedom we have because we trust in Jesus?

What are some things you were freed from when you became a Christian?

JULY 5

Something’s Wrong

READ: LUKE 6:45

Lindsey asked Jessica over to play at her house tomorrow, but not me! That makes me so mad! exclaimed Aria as she jumped into the car after swim practice. Jessica’s my best friend, not Lindsey’s. I hate Lindsey."

Whoa! said Mom. When words like that come out of a Christian, it means something’s wrong.

Yeah, Aria, said her brother, Jon. Why can’t all of you be friends? He pointed to a red light on the dashboard panel. What does that light mean?

Mom looked down. I don’t know, she said. It says, ‘Check engine soon.’ I’d better call the mechanic when we get home.

When they arrived home, Aria and Jon had a snack. I’m going to tell Lindsey what I think of her, grumbled Aria while Mom was on the phone.

Oh, come on, Aria, said Jon. Get over it!

Mom came to the doorway. The mechanic said to bring the car right in, she said, so I’ll go do that. You kids be good while I’m gone.

Mom left, and when she called a little later, Aria was still imagining what she’d say the next time she saw Lindsey. "They found the problem with the car and are fixing it while I