** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 17, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Sour Notes (Monday)

Read: Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11 

 

Maria set up her music stand, then took out her violin. She began to play, but as she drew her bow across the strings, many notes were shaky and unsure. "I'm outta here!" exclaimed her brother Carlos, heading for the door. "Those high, squeaky notes hurt my ears!"

 

"Carlos is right--they sound awful!" wailed Maria. "My teacher calls those sour notes. This piece is too hard!"

 

"Try it again," said Mom, coming into the room. "Keep practicing."

 

With a sigh, Maria did so. Though she still couldn't play the song perfectly by the end of her thirty-minute practice session, it had definitely improved.

 

"Did everyone have a good day?" asked Dad at dinner that evening. "What did you all do?"

"I practiced the new piece my violin teacher assigned," said Maria. "It still needs a lot of work, but it's coming along."

 

"I played ball with some friends at the park," Carlos said. "John got mad and went home. He doesn't do that as much as he used to, but he sure blew it today."

 

"That's too bad," said Mom, "but I'm glad he's been doing better."

 

Maria frowned. "But he's a Christian, isn't he? He should know better than to get mad like that."

 

"Well, let's pray for him and be thankful he's making progress," Dad said. "It's easier to be patient with others when we remember we all do sinful things sometimes and need God's help and forgiveness."

 

"Right," said Mom. "Think about your violin practice, Maria. Remember all the sour notes we heard at first? We can have sour notes in our lives too--habits and attitudes that are out of tune with who we are as God's children. But when we confess our wrongs to Jesus, He forgives us and helps us play a new song."

 

Dad nodded. "When we put our trust in Jesus, He changes us and gives us the Holy Spirit, who works in us so others can hear the beautiful song of God's love and salvation in our lives. It takes time, but God has promised to continue working until the day Jesus returns and gets rid of sin forever. You didn't give up on your music, and God doesn't give up on us."

"Okay,"said Maria. "I'll keep practicing, and I'm sure John will too."

-Jorlyn A. Grasser

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have there been some sour notes in your life lately? Don’t forget that God is still working on you. He’s patiently teaching you to turn away from sin and show His love to others, and He won’t ever give up on you. When you sin, ask Jesus to forgive you. Then trust Him to help you share His sweet song of salvation with those around you.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLT)

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 12, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

No More Troubles? (Tuesday)

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18

 

The man in the video waved his arms as he spoke. "Do you have health problems or money problems? Do you want to get rid of your troubles? Just have faith in Jesus!" he shouted. "He'll take all your troubles away."

 

When the video ended, Emery went next door to take out her neighbor's trash. Mrs. Koning used a cane and couldn't wheel the garbage can to the curb herself.

 

When she arrived, Emery found Mrs. Koning struggling to put a large bag in the bin. "Here, let me get it," Emery said, opening the lid and dropping the bag inside.

"Thank you, dear," said Mrs. Koning. "I thought I could do it myself, but I forgot how much this cane gets in the way!"

 

Emery glanced at her neighbor's cane. "Mrs. Koning? You...you trust in Jesus, don't you?" Mrs. Koning smiled. "I certainly do, Emery."

 

"Well, I just saw this video online where a preacher said all your troubles will be gone if you have faith in Jesus. So why do you still need a cane?"

 

"God is powerful enough to heal me," Mrs. Koning replied. "But Jesus never promised all my troubles would go away if I followed Him."

"But that preacher said you would be well!" Emery insisted. "And rich too, if you have faith."

"He may say that, but the Bible doesn't," said Mrs. Koning.

 

Emery frowned. "It doesn't?"

 

Mrs. Koning shook her head. "The Bible doesn't promise good physical health and lots of money to those who trust in Jesus. Some Christians may have one or both of those things, but others don't. What it does promise is life with Jesus." She smiled at Emery. "Being a Christian doesn't mean you'll have smooth sailing through life. In fact, Jesus tells us we'll experience troubles in this world like He did, but He promises He'll help us through them and will never leave us. Because He suffered and died on a cross to save us, we'll never be separated from Him. That's the hope He offers--not money or physical health, but eternal life with Him, and His promise to one day get rid of sin, sickness, and death for good."

 

"Ohhh," said Emery. "Somebody should tell that preacher!"

 

Mrs. Koning chuckled. "I think you're right." -Carolyn E. Yost

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you heard that God wants Christians to have lots of money and be in perfect physical health? Some Christians may have those things, but others don’t. Either way, health and wealth in this life are not what Jesus promises those who trust in Him. What He promises is that He will always be with us and take care of all our needs. He promises to give us strength when we face troubles in this world. He promises us eternal life with Him. Trust Him to keep His promises.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

My [God’s] grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (NKJV)

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 14, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

The Jesus Chair (Wednesday)

Read: Psalms 23:4; 34:4; 56:3; Philippians 4:6-7

 

Aunt Bonnie touched Will's shoulder. "Is something the matter, Will?"

"Not really," Will answered. He stared at his video game, avoiding his aunt's eyes.

 

Aunt Bonnie sat down and took the game out of Will's hands. "Are you worried about your surgery tomorrow? It's okay to be afraid, but you should give that fear to God and let Him take care of it."

 

"How do I give God my fear?" Will asked.

 

Aunt Bonnie pointed to a small wooden chair next to her china cabinet. "I call that my Jesus chair. It helps me remember that because I trust in Jesus, He is always with me. Whenever I feel afraid, I imagine Jesus sitting in this chair, talking to me, just like a best friend."

 

Will watched as his aunt reached over to the empty chair. "What are you doing?" he asked.

 

"I'm handing my fear to Jesus," Aunt Bonnie said. "He takes all my problems and carries them for me so I don't have to worry about them."

 

Tears started to run down Will's cheeks. "But they're going to cut open my chest and mess around with my heart!"

 

"God created everything, including your heart. He knows all about fixing it." Aunt Bonnie put her arm around Will. "The Bible tells us that God is with us wherever we go. He will be in that operating room."

 

Will wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "Too bad I won't be able to see Him."

 

"But you can imagine Him standing next to your bed, just like I imagine Jesus sitting in my living room." Aunt Bonnie knelt next to the couch and patted the floor. "Kneel with me, Will. Let's pray."

 

Will knelt beside his aunt and bowed his head.

 

"Lord, please let Will feel your comfort and peace," Aunt Bonnie prayed. "Guide the surgeon's hands tomorrow, and please heal Will's heart. In Jesus' name we pray, amen."

 

Will got up from the floor. "Jesus really is in your living room, Aunt Bonnie! I felt Him next to me, almost like a hug!"

 

Aunt Bonnie smiled. "And He will be at your side tomorrow too! Even if you can't see Him or feel Him, He will be there with you." -Bonnie Carr

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you facing a scary situation in your life? Whether it’s heart surgery, a new school, a difficult class, or a piano recital, Jesus will be with you the whole time. He is a friend you can talk to anytime. Give your worries to Him and trust Him with the outcome. Even though you can’t see Him, and even if you don’t feel Him, He is there by your side.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NLT)

 

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 16, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Surprise Party (Thursday)

Read: 1 John 4:7-12 

 

"What's wrong with Adison?" asked Noah as his older sister left the room. "Is she sad about something?"

 

"This is the day her college friends leave on their mission trip," said Mom.

"Why didn't she go?" Noah asked. "She loves helping people."

"Because she was offered a summer job, and she felt she should take it and work as much as she could to help with school expenses since Dad was laid off for several months this year," Mom explained.

 

"Then let's do something special for her so she won't feel so bad," suggested Noah. "I know--let's have a party for her! A surprise family party."

 

"A party letting her know she's special to us?" asked Mom. "All right. I'll fix her favorite dinner, and you can decorate the dining room."

 

"What about a present?" asked Noah.

 

Mom thought for a moment. "Why don't we give her coupons--we'll call them love coupons. I'll make one with a promise to make her bed and fix her breakfast every day this week so she can sleep later. You could wash the dishes when it's her turn."

 

Noah's eyes widened. "Let's not get carried away!" he said.

 

Mom laughed and gave Noah a quick hug. "This is a great idea, Noah. God says we should show love to one another because He loved us first, and you're doing that today." She went to the kitchen. "We'd better get busy. We have a lot to do."

 

When Adison came home from work that afternoon, she stood in the doorway and stared. The table was set with the best dishes, and balloons hung from the light fixture. "Surprise!" exclaimed Noah.

 

"Is it somebody's birthday?" asked Adison. "I know it's not mine!"

"Nope, but you're special," Noah told her. "So we're having a party for you."

 

After enjoying her favorite meal, Adison took the coupons her family had placed beside her plate. "I love and appreciate all of you," she said after reading them. She glanced at the dirty dishes and then tousled Noah's hair. "I especially appreciate you tonight, little brother," she said, holding up a coupon Noah had given her. "It's my night to wash dishes!" -Barbara J. Westberg

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Is there someone you know who needs encouragement? God showed His great love for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, and He wants us to show others love through our actions too. What can you do to make someone feel loved and appreciated? Do more than your share of chores at home? Help a friend with schoolwork? Mow a neighbor’s lawn? Whatever it is, you’ll be showing them the love of Jesus.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 1 John 3:18 (KJV)

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (NLT)

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <July 15, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

A Deeper Love (Friday)

Read: Romans 8:35-39; Hebrews 13:8 

 

Tears ran down Dedra's cheeks as her father drove off. Today was the worst day of her life. Earlier that morning, her parents had sat on opposite ends of the couch and calmly spoke the words that tore her world apart. "We both love you, Dedra. We just can't live together anymore."

 

"You'll spend weekends with Dad and weekdays with me," said Mom.

 

Dad nodded. "We'll go see different things in the city every weekend. We'll have fun--you'll see."

 

After watching her dad drive away, Dedra went to her room and collapsed on her bed. She could no longer cry; she felt empty.

 

As the weeks went by, Dedra's life fell into a new pattern. After school on weekdays, she and her mom spent the evenings together. On Fridays, her dad picked her up from school and took her to his apartment for the weekend. They did fun things in the city, but it just wasn't the same as having him home.

 

One Friday, Dad called to say he couldn't come. After that, Dedra only saw her dad one or two weekends a month. A few months later, when Dedra found out she was going to have a new family--her dad was getting married, and she would have two stepbrothers--she wasn't quite sure where she fit in.

 

One day, Dedra accepted a neighbor's invitation to go with her to church. Dedra listened as the teacher in her class talked about the love of God. Love comes and goes, thought Dedra. One day you're a family, and the next day you can be lost somewhere in the middle. Tears began to well up, and she stayed in her seat after the other kids left.

 

"Can I help?" asked Mrs. Mason as she knelt beside Dedra.

 

"Love's not like you said," murmured Dedra. "My dad doesn't love me like that."

 

"Our heavenly Father's love is not like human love," said Mrs. Mason gently. "People often fail to love each other well, but God's love is perfect. He loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so we could be His children, and He promises to always be with us."

 

It would be great to have someone love me like that, Dedra thought, and she listened as Mrs. Mason told her more about Jesus. -Suzanne Eller

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you ever been let down by the people you love? Have family members or friends left you feeling hurt and alone? Your heavenly Father will never fail you. He loves you more deeply than anyone else does—even your parents. He loves you so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you so you could be part of His family. Nothing can ever get in the way of His perfect love for you. Trust in Jesus today!

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Romans 8:39 (KJV)

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)