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

 

Ray of Light (Monday)

Read: Matthew 4:16; 5:14

 

Ray found a table in the coffee shop and opened her computer while her brother went to get a cup of coffee. When Rick came to sit next to her with his chai latte, he noticed Ray staring at her computer screen, frowning. "What are you looking at?" he asked.

 

Ray turned the screen so he could see it. "This world is so messed up, Rick. Look at this article. People are getting killed by the hundreds in Afghanistan because of their belief in Jesus, and nobody is doing anything!"

 

"Yeah, it's terrible, isn't it?" said Rick. "Jesus even prophesied this would happen before He died on the cross for us. He warned that Christians would face persecution and even death for following Him, but it's still so sad to hear."

 

"It makes me so angry. And look at THIS!" Ray scrolled down the page. "Another terrible story about a lost puppy who doesn't have a home. It's not as horrible as the other one, of course, but it's still sad."

 

Rick nodded. "The more I read the news, the more tough stuff I see going on in the world. But I'm so grateful that we as Christians get to be lights in this world. Ha! That's actually where you got your name, did you know that?"

 

"I know," said Ray. "But it feels like there is too much darkness in this world to make any difference. Everything just seems to go wrong."

 

"Well, your name is Ray for a reason. All it takes is a ray of light to shine into a room to completely transform it. The darker it is inside a room, the more impact the light has on the room! You, like all Christians, shine with the light of Jesus. We're each a ray of light shining in this dark world."

 

"Wow...that's pretty great to hear! But what does it mean to be a light in this world?" asked Ray.

 

"It's simple. Let God's light shine from inside of you for all to see. Treat others like Jesus did. Tell them about what He did to save us. Remember His promise to make everything right one day. The world won't be this way forever because His light is stronger than the darkness." Alex Childs

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

This world seems so dark sometimes, doesn’t it? But Jesus is shining His hope and love into the darkness, and we are His rays of light! Because we trust in Him, we can help make this world less dark by sharing His truth and love. Shine the light He has given you today by being a friend to others, sharing stories of Jesus with them, and talking about how you’ve seen God work in your life. It’s that easy!

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  John 16:33 (KJV)

I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV)

 

 

 

 

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

 

God’s Gifts and Grace (Tuesday)

Read: Proverbs 16:3, 9; 19:21; Romans 12:4-8 

 

Ben glided back and forth on the porch swing and stared at the trees.

"A penny for your thoughts, Ben," Dad said, carrying flowers to plant in the window boxes. "You look so serious."

 

"I've been wondering what I'll be when I grow up," Ben said.

 

Dad sat down next to Ben. "You have plenty of time to decide."

 

"But Dad, Emily's in nursing school. She's so smart, and she always helps people. And Katy's younger than me, but she already knows she wants to be a musician. She'll play the piano and sing for anybody. Me--I have no clue."

 

Dad smiled. "Don't compare yourself to your sisters, or anyone else. By God's grace, we all have different gifts and abilities, and He has a purpose for each of us. You'll know yours in time."

 

"But it's like they've always known," said Ben.

 

"It may seem that way," said Dad. "I remember Emily used to play hospital with her dolls when she was little. But she's had more time since then to discover her God-given gifts and pray about how she should use them. Katy's still young, and as she gets older she may find God has something else in mind for her. The important thing is, no matter what you become, you know Jesus as your Savior and have eternal life in Him. He'll help you use your gifts and abilities to show others His love, even though you're not sure how yet."

 

Ben nodded. "I like building things. What if I grow up to be a carpenter and build houses?"

 

"Jesus' first job was as a carpenter," said Dad. "Building houses helps provide homes for families."

 

"And if I become a firefighter, I'll save lives!"

Dad grinned. "That sounds a lot like Jesus too."

 

"Dad, would it be okay to pray and ask God about my future?" asked Ben.

 

"That would be perfect, Ben. Jesus knows exactly what you're good at and how you can use your abilities to help others. Trust Him, be patient, and know He'll make it clear in His time."

 

Ben stood up. "Thanks, Dad. How about I help you plant those flowers? It'll be good practice if God wants me to be a farmer." -Lynda Boucher

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you ever worry about what you’ll do when you grow up? Do you compare yourself to others when they seem to have everything figured out and you don’t? Remember that God, by His grace, has given you the talents and abilities that are just right for you. He will help you use them in a way that shows others the love of Jesus. Don’t worry about what the future holds—be patient and trust God to show you His purpose for your life.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Romans 12:6 (KJV)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. (NIV)

 

 

 

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <August 19, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Good Start, But. . . (Wednesday)

Read: Luke 16:10-12; Colossians 3:23-24 

 

Simon burst into the living room. "Look what I've got! I bought a new model plane with my birthday money fromGrandma." Simon held up the box so his dad could see the picture of his new model.

 

"Very nice," replied Dad. "You're getting quite a collection."

 

Simon nodded. "Now I've got a Tiger and a Hornet and a B-52. I'm going to start working on this one right now!"

 

Simon went to his room and eagerly removed the contents of the box. He turned on his desk lamp and got to work. A while later, Dad came to the door.

 

"Look, Dad," Simon said. "I've already got the wings in place!"

 

"That's great, Simon," Dad said. He looked at the completed models lining the wall of Simon's room. "You're a hard worker when it comes to putting plane models together. But I think there was some other work you were supposed to do today that didn't get finished. Ring a bell?"

 

Simon hesitated. "Oh--right. I was supposed to do the dishes while Mom's at work." He sighed. "I did unload the dishwasher."

 

"Yes, and that's a good start, but you left all the dirty dishes in the sink. That's not a job well done."

 

"Sorry. I guess I got distracted when the package with my new plane arrived."

 

Dad sat down on the bed. "I think you need to work a little harder at completing other tasks besides these model planes. God tells us to be faithful in all things, big or small. We need to show the same faithfulness in our work that Jesus did."

 

"Jesus had to do dishes too?" Simon asked.

 

Dad laughed. "Maybe He did, but I was thinking of a different job He came to earth to do. Do you know what that is?"

 

"Um...dying on the cross?" Simon guessed.

 

"Right," said Dad. "Jesus completed what needed to be done so we could be saved--the hard work of dying for our sins. He was faithful in the task He'd been given to do, from start to finish."

 

Simon nodded. "I'd better go finish the dishes," he said, turning off his lamp. "Mom won't be happy if she sees I've been unfaithful in that task!"

 

-Catherine Runyon

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you a hard worker? Are you faithful in all the tasks you’ve been given to do—or just the ones you find interesting? It’s not always fun to do things like chores or schoolwork, but when we show responsibility in completing our tasks—even though they may not be the ones we want to do—we show the same kind of faithfulness in our work that Jesus did. Trust Him to help you be a faithful worker in all you do.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Luke 16:10 (KJV)

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. (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 <August 20, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Approval of One (Thursday)

Read: Psalm 103:1-5; Galatians 4:6

 

Ha Jun balled his hands into fists as the judges held up his gymnastics score for the parallel bars: 8.5. All around him, people cheered and celebrated; some even threw flowers. Ha Jun knew in his heart it was a good score and that he had given it his all. He'd worked so hard to make it this far. Still, he couldn't help but hear the voice of his father invade his thoughts: "Second place is no winner in my book, Ha Jun."

 

Hours later, as Ha Jun rested in bed, he stared at his name on the many certificates and medals decorating his room. Even his own name seemed to taunt him! "Ha Jun" in part meant "talented," exactly what his father desired him to be. He tried not to think about the look of disappointment on his father's face when he told him he received second place in the competition. Would he ever be good enough?

 

Sorrow threatened to overwhelm him, so he opened his nightstand drawer and pulled out his Bible. His halmoni--the Korean word for grandmother--had given it to him as a gift a few months ago, with the promise that if he read it he would find comfort and hope. Ha Jun opened the pages he was beginning to become familiar with and turned to Colossians chapter 3. He gasped when he read verse 23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Ha Jun read it over again and again, letting the truth sink into his soul.

"God, I think I understand now," he prayed. "I desire approval from my father so much, but I really only need approval from one Father--You. I know You created me and You love me no matter what, and I know I already have your approval because Jesus died to make me Yours. You are my heavenly Father, and whatever I do, I should do it for You. When I feel angry or sad because of my earthly father, remind me what Your Word says about me. Amen."

 

Ha Jun smiled and flipped off his bed, then looked up with a wink. "That flip was for you, God!" -Savannah Coleman

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Whose approval are you working to get? Parents? Friends? Teachers? Remember that God is the only one whose approval ultimately matters, and you can’t do anything to earn it. Jesus earned it for you when He died for your sins. He knows everything about you and still loves you completely, regardless of how you perform or what mistakes you make. Do everything for Him, resting in the promise of His everlasting love for you.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Colossians 3:23 (KJV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (NIV)

 

 

 

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <August 22, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Faults of Your Own (Friday)

Read: Matthew 7:1-5

 

"I'm glad Mr. Sanders taught that lesson about the sin of judging others," said Grant as he and his friend Wyatt left their classroom at church. "I hope Gabriella was listening. She always has the week's Bible verse memorized, and she says anybody who doesn't learn it is just plain lazy."

 

"Yeah, that's judging," said Wyatt. "After all, not everybody can learn verses as fast as she can." He frowned. "Maybe Mr. Sanders was thinking of Maria too. I heard her tell Aiden that if he were a better Christian, he would pay attention in class instead of goofing off all the time."

 

"Or how about Josh?" Grant said. "He thinks he's better than the rest of us because his dad's the chief of police. Or at least he acts like he does."

 

When the boys reached the sanctuary, Grant saw that his parents were already seated. "I gotta go sit down," he said. "See you later, Wyatt."

 

When Pastor Hunt got up to preach, Grant noticed the sermon was on the same Bible passage they'd talked about in Mr. Sanders' class. "It's so easy for us to see the faults of others and forget we have faults of our own," Pastor Hunt said. "The image Jesus uses to illustrate how we often fail to see ourselves clearly is a log growing out of someone's eye. Can you imagine what that would look like? Don't you think that person would notice? Yet we often fail to see the log in our own eye--that is, the sinful attitudes in our own hearts--and instead point out every speck of sawdust we see in others." Pastor Hunt shook his head. "Instead of nitpicking the faults of others, we must examine our own hearts and bring our sinful thoughts and actions before Jesus, who promises to forgive us."

 

Grant sat stunned in the pew. He realized that ever since leaving the classroom, he and Wyatt had been judging their classmates, forgetting they had plenty of faults of their own. As Pastor Hunt said the closing prayer, Grant bowed his head. "Dear Jesus, I'm sorry for my prideful attitude and for judging my classmates," he silently prayed. "Please forgive me." He lifted his head and smiled, knowing he was forgiven. -Linda M. Weddle

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you quick to point out the faults of others without giving any thought to your own shortcomings? Jesus tells us not to judge others because we’re in need of His grace and forgiveness ourselves. Instead of focusing on other people’s wrongs, look at your own heart. Is there pride there? Selfishness? A tendency to gossip? Whatever sin you find, confess it to Jesus, and He will forgive you.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Matthew 7:1 (KJV)

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. (NLT)