Keys for Kids Devotional: July/August/September 2017

JULY 1

Only a Mist

READ: MARK 12:29-31; JAMES 4:13-17

Jade stretched and yawned. Then she jumped down from her place on the top bunk and hurried to get dressed.

Let's go, troops! yelled a cheery voice from outside. We have many miles to cover on our morning hike.

How can Erica be so cheerful at seven o'clock in the morning? asked Hayley, one of Jade's cabinmates.

I don't know, Jade answered, but I like it. Her cheerfulness rubs off on me. Let's go.

Jade and Hayley joined the other campers as they gathered in front of the dining hall. Good morning! said Erica, their camp counselor. Are you ready for our adventure? We'll fix breakfast a little way down the trail.

A few minutes later, they were off. Stick right on the trail for a while, Erica told the group. There was a heavy mist last night, and everything seems damp. The grass is pretty wet, and your feet will be too if you walk on it for very long.

It's not misty now, said Hayley. Isn't it funny how mist just disappears?

Yeah—like a vapor, said Jade. I learned a verse at church that says life is a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

That's right, said Erica. When I was about your age, I learned that verse too. It tells us how short life is—like a mist. And what did the mist do while it was here?

It made things wet, Hayley replied. It soaked the grass so much that we don't want to walk on it.

Erica nodded. Right. And in a way, we soak our environment too, she said. For example, do you know anyone who soaks you with joy?

Jade spoke up quickly. You do! she said. You always soak me with your cheerfulness, Erica. You make me feel happy.

KATHY A. BRAND

SOAK OTHERS WITH JESUS' LOVE

KEY VERSE

YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. MARK 12:31

WHAT DO YOU SOAK THOSE AROUND YOU WITH? Our time on earth may be short, but with Jesus, you can make a big difference. When you trust in Him, He fills you with His love and joy so you can help draw others to Him. Even though life is short, trust Jesus to help you become more like Him so He can use your life for His great purpose.

JULY 2

Who's in Charge Here?

READ: ROMANS 13:1, 4; 1 TIMOTHY 2:2

Gavin sat with Dad watching the evening news. When it was over, Dad switched it off and turned to Gavin. What do you think of all that?

Gavin had grown very quiet. Most of what was happening he didn't understand, but there were lots of people protesting with signs and arguing about things that were happening in the government. Why are people so angry, Dad?

They're scared. A lot of things are changing, and it makes them fearful.

Gavin thought about that. Are you scared? he asked.

Dad smiled and reached for the Bible on the coffee table. No, Gavin. God tells us in His Word that He is the one who chooses the people in authority over us. Everyone who fills a position of authority is put there by Him.

Everywhere in the world? asked Gavin.

Dad nodded. We're fortunate to live in a place where the government is designed to help its people, even though it's not perfect and its leaders don't always do things we like. But even in places where governments oppress their people instead of doing what's best for them, the leaders only have authority because it was given to them by God. We may not understand why He allows them to do what they do, but we can trust that He put them there for a reason and is working everything out for His glory.

So God chooses all of the people in charge? Gavin asked.

Yep! said Dad. "For you, that's me and your mom and your grandparents and teachers, right up through all the different levels of our government.

Wow, that's a lot of bosses! It must be hard work to be in charge.

It is! said Dad. That's why the Bible tells us to pray for those in charge and respect their authority over us—even when we don't agree with them. We need to pray regularly that God would guide them to make wise decisions and govern us well. Then we can feel His peace.

Because we know He's the one who's really in charge, said Gavin. He looked at his dad and smiled. I'm going to start praying for everyone in authority over me—including you!

KELLY HOLLMAN

GOD IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY

KEY VERSE

LET EVERYONE BE SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES, FOR THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT THAT WHICH GOD HAS ESTABLISHED. ROMANS 13:1 (NIV)

DO YOU EVER SEE SCARY THINGS ON THE NEWS? Or overhear adults saying angry things that are hard to understand? When things seem scary, remember that God is in charge. Everyone in authority—from your parents to your government leaders—is there because God placed them there. So respect and pray for those in authority over you, knowing that God is the ultimate authority working everything according to His plan.

JULY 3

Sparkling Clean

READ: ROMANS 3:22-26

Rosita wiped the sweat from her forehead, then got back to scrubbing the pot in the sink. She was working as hard as she could to clean the kitchen before Mom got home. They'd had a fight that morning, and Rosita was sorry for the things she'd said. I want this kitchen sparkling clean when Mom gets home from work, she thought. That'll make up for it.

She glanced into the living room where her little brother was watching cartoons. Ricky, bring your cup and plate here so I can wash them. And I just mopped the floor, so be careful!

But Ricky wasn't careful. He ran in as fast as he could and slipped when his socks hit the wet floor. His plastic dishes went flying into the air as he went sprawling across the kitchen, a mixture of milk and crumbs raining down on top of him.

Rosita gasped. Ricky!

Just then the door to the garage opened and Mom walked in. Wow, she said. What a mess.

Rosita covered her face with her hands and burst into tears. Mom and Ricky stared at her for a moment before Mom sent him upstairs to wash the milk out of his hair. Rosita, what's wrong? Mom asked.

I—I've been working hard to clean the kitchen all afternoon, Rosita said. I wanted everything to be sparkling clean when you got here because I felt bad about what I said this morning and wanted to make things right.

Oh, honey. You don't have to clean the kitchen to make things right with me. You're my daughter—I love you, and I'll always forgive you. But I know the feeling. In fact, I used to try to do the same thing with God. I thought I could make up for my wrongs by doing something right. But it wasn't enough.

Because the only way to make things right with God is through Jesus, right?

You got it, said Mom. When we trust in Him, He forgives our sins and makes us sparkling clean.

Rosita nodded. I'm sorry for what I said, Mom. Will you forgive me?

COURTNEY LASATER

ONLY JESUS MAKES THINGS RIGHT

KEY VERSE

IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. 1 JOHN 1:9

ARE YOU WORKING HARD TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT WITH GOD? Are you doing lots of good things so He'll forgive you for the bad things you've done? No matter what you do, it's not enough to make up for your sin. But Jesus is! He died so you could be forgiven and have all your sins washed away. Confess your sin and trust in Him, and He will forgive you. (See Have You Heard the Good News? near the end of this book.)

JULY 4

Everyone's Welcome

READ: MATTHEW 4:23-25

Before leaving on their field trip, Mila's Sunday school teacher waved for everyone to gather together. After we go see the Statue of Liberty, we'll have a picnic lunch, followed by games, Miss Webber told the excited kids. Make sure you pay attention during the tour. Later I'm going to ask you some questions about the statue and how it relates to what we've been talking about in Sunday school.

That's odd, thought Mila as they headed toward the subway. What would the Statue of Liberty have to do with our Sunday school lessons?

After they toured the Statue of Liberty, they went to a nearby park to have lunch. As promised, Miss Webber quizzed the class about the statue. Did you all read the poem about the Statue of Liberty? she asked. Most of the class nodded. Good, said Miss Webber. The last five lines have become very well-known. Who can tell me what they talk about?

They're an invitation for people to come to America, said one of the boys.

Miss Webber nodded. What kind of people are invited to come?

One of the girls raised her hand. Those who are poor and tired, she said.

And those who want to be free, said another.

That's right, said Miss Webber. All kinds of people have come here to begin a new life in a brand-new country. What invitation does Jesus give that's similar to those words on the Statue of Liberty?

After thinking a moment, Mila raised her hand. Is it our memory verse? she asked. 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'

GERI WALCOTT

ACCEPT JESUS' INVITATION

KEY VERSE

COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST MATTHEW 11:28

ARE YOU TIRED OF TRYING TO BE GOOD ENOUGH? Do you want to be free from the burden of sin? Jesus invites you to accept His offer to have your sins forgiven. Who you are, how old you are, the color of your skin, how much money you have—none of this matters. Jesus' invitation is for you—you are welcome to come. Come to Jesus today. (See Have You Heard the Good News? near the end of this book.)

JULY 5

The Arrowhead

READ: PSALM 139:13-16; ROMANS 8:28-30

Stephen hoisted himself up onto a ledge of crumbling granite and collapsed on a small patch of mossy grass. That was quite a climb! he said as he rubbed his aching legs. Aren't you tired, Uncle Don? We've hiked a long way.

We'll catch our breath for a few minutes before we head back, said Uncle Don. He took off his backpack and set it down.

Stephen picked up some stones. Look at this! he said. Uncle Don knelt beside him, and they looked at the stone Stephen held in his hand. It was shaped like a triangle and came to an unmistakable point. It's a real arrowhead, isn't it? asked Stephen.

Sure looks like it to me, said Uncle Don.

Stephen brushed the dirt and dust from the stone and held it up so that the light glinted off its edges.

You know, said Uncle Don, the man who made that arrowhead carefully chiseled it, and he knew just how he wanted to use it.

Stephen looked at his uncle. He would have used it for hunting, wouldn't he?

Uncle Don nodded. I imagine so. He would have had a specific purpose for that arrowhead, and I'm quite sure he accomplished his purpose. He probably used it to get food for his family. Uncle Don smiled. Can you think of any lesson we can learn from that?

Hmm—shoot straight when you hunt? Stephen said with a grin. Though that's probably not the kind of lesson you're talking about.

Uncle Don laughed. You're right. I think this arrowhead should remind us that someone made us for a special purpose.

God did, right? asked Stephen.

Yes, said Uncle Don. You're far more important than a simple arrowhead, Stephen, and God has a wonderful plan for your life. He's using all your life experiences to shape you to be more like Jesus so you can serve Him the way He wants you to. Whenever you look at your arrowhead, remember that God has a purpose for your life and will be there to guide you every step of the way.

CHRISTI B. KEHN

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

KEY VERSE

FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS. TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. JEREMIAH 29:11 (NIV)

DID YOU KNOW THAT GOD HAS A SPECIAL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE? God made you and sent His Son, Jesus, to save you from sin, and He has plans for you. Talk with Him every day and ask Him for guidance. Stop and thank Him for something wonderful in your life. Read the Bible to learn how He wants you to live. Remember He's shaping you to be more like Jesus.

JULY 6

Silent Witness

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:5-10

Wearing a big smile, Dad