** 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 26, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Little Stories (Monday)

Read: Luke 15:1-10

 

"There! That's finished," said Mom as she closed the refrigerator door. "This Key lime pie will be ready in time for supper."

 

"I love Key lime pie," said Serena. She closed the books she had been using. "I just finished my lesson for Bible club," she said, getting up. "It's about the parables in Luke 15. Mom, how come Jesus talked in parables so much? Why didn't He just say what He meant?"

 

"That's a good question," said Mom. "Let's think about it. What do you think the reason might be?"

 

"Well...parables are like little stories, and maybe Jesus used them to make the lessonsHe taught more interesting so people would listen better," Serena suggested. "I like stories, and the parables in the Bible are interesting. They illustrate what Jesus was teaching, don't they?"

 

"Right," said Mom. "I think they also make Bible truths easier for us to understand. They're a little like...well..." She opened the refrigerator. "Here," she said, taking out a lime. "Would you care to eat this,Serena?"

"That lime?" asked Serena in surprise. "No way! They're too sour."

"You're right," said Mom. "It would be too much for your taste buds." Mom took out the pie she had just made. "How about this? Could you eat a slice of Key lime pie?"

Serena laughed. "I could definitely eat a slice of that!"

 

Mom nodded. "You can still taste the lime in this pie, but it's much sweeter, isn't it? It's suited for your taste buds so it's not too intense and you can enjoy the flavor of the limes I used to make it." She put the pie back in the fridge to chill. "I think that's kind of what a parable is like--it helps our human minds, which respond to stories, understand the truth of God's Word. Parables are suited to the way God created our brains to learn. Jesus could have told the people God's truth in a more straightforward manner, and sometimes He did. But I think He knew they often listened and learned better from the parables--the little stories He told."

 

Serena smiled. "I'll remember that when I'm eating my slice of Key lime pie tonight!"

 

-Dalan E. Decker

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you enjoy stories and learn from them? The stories Jesus told illustrate truths we all need to know. Did you enjoy the stories He told in today’s Bible reading? Did you think about what they mean? Why not go back to Luke 15 and read the rest of the chapter? It contains a longer parable about a son who runs away from his father. Read it, then think about what it teaches about God’s love and forgiveness.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Mark 4:33 (KJV)

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. (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 28, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Knowing How to Pray (Tuesday)

Read: Romans 8:26-28 

 

Dad, I don't know how to pray for Grandma," Keon said, frowning. "What do I even ask for? She's so sick."

 

"You're right." His father looked at the hospital bed where his grandmother lay. "She is very sick."

 

"I don't even want to pray about it," Keon said. "She's not going to get better."

 

Dad put a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't we take a little walk and talk about this?"

 

They headed out of the hospital and to the trail behind it. "Did you know the Holy Spirit can help you when you don't know how to pray?" Dad asked.

 

Keon shook his head. "What do you mean?"

 

"The Bible says when you don't know what to pray, the Spirit intercedes for you. That means He provides the words you don't know to say." Dad gave Keon a small smile. "Sort of like how I helped you figure out what to say when you wanted your mom to take you to the park the other day."

 

Keon smirked. "You told me just how to ask her. And it worked."

 

"I did." His dad winked at him. "Well, the Bible says the Holy Spirit will help you when you don't know how to pray or what to ask for. Are we supposed to ask for your grandmother to get healed? Maybe. Are we supposed to pray for her to be at peace as she passes away? Maybe." He reached down and picked up an acorn and handed it to Keon. "We need to trust that the Spirit will help us pray for the right thing, and that God will work things out according to His will. We may have trouble finding the right words to pray because we don't know how things should work out, but He does--just like He knows how to make this acorn grow into an oak tree."

 

Keon turned the acorn slowly in his hand. "It sure would be nice to have some help knowing what to pray now," he said.

 

"God cares about your grandmother even more than either of us does," Dad said quietly. "And He also cares about you. He's listening, waiting for you to say any kind of prayer to Him, and He will put the words in your heart." -Emily Acker

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do tough situations make it hard for you to know what to pray for? Do you struggle to find the words to say when life is scary and hard? Remember that you have a Helper who is always with you. The Holy Spirit knows the thoughts and feelings you can’t put into words. He intercedes on your behalf and helps you pray according to God’s will, even when you don’t know what to say. Pray what’s on your heart, knowing He will guide you.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:  Romans 8:26 (KJV)

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (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 23, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

A Heavy Weight (Wednesday)

Read: Ephesians 4:26, 31-32 

 

Olivia waited eagerly for her cousin Meg to arrive with her new baby. "They're here!" she yelled as she looked out the window.

 

After they had all admired the baby, Mom turned to Olivia. "Why don't you run next door and invite Ava to come over? I remember hearing her say she wants to see the baby too."

 

Olivia shook her head. "Ava and I aren't friends anymore. At school yesterday, she pointed at my sweater and said it looked like I was wearing a throw rug. The other kids all laughed. I was totally embarrassed!"

 

"I'm sorry," said Mom. "That wasn't a very nice thing for her to say."

 

"Well, we're done," said Olivia. "I'm so mad at her!" She quickly decided to change the subject. "Are we going to have lunch soon?" she asked. "I'm hungry."

 

"Me too," said Meg. "Want to hold Tommy while your mom and I fix lunch?"

 

Olivia eagerly took the baby. She cuddled and rocked him while lunch was being prepared. When he fell asleep, Olivia handed him to Mom. "It was fun to hold him, but He's getting really heavy now."

 

Mom laughed. "You mean he gained weight since he got here?"

Olivia grinned. "You know what I mean. My arms are getting tired, so he feels heavier."

 

"Hmm," murmured Mom. "At first, holding Tommy didn't bother your arms at all, did it?"

 

"No," said Olivia. "At first he felt really light."

 

"That reminds me of your problem with Ava, because anger and bitterness work like that," Mom said. "It may seem normal to be angry at someone who's hurt you, but after carrying anger and bitterness around for a while, it starts to get very heavy. Jesus tells us to hand over our anger and bitterness to Him so He can replace those feelings with His love and forgiveness." Mom looked at Olivia as she rocked Tommy in her arms. "I know what Ava said was hurtful, but don't let your anger destroy your friendship. Tell her how you feel, and be willing to forgive her."

 

Olivia looked at the sleeping baby, then at her mom. "Okay. After lunch, I'll go talk to Ava and see if she wants to come meet Tommy." -Barbara J. Westberg

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you ever felt the heaviness of anger and bitterness in your heart? Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end, anger and unforgiveness hurts. It weighs on both you and the person you’re angry at. Jesus died for our sins and rose again so we could know His love and forgiveness and show it to others. Give your anger and bitterness to Him. Then trust Him to help you forgive those who have hurt you.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (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 24, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

A Special Gift (Thursday)

Read: Philemon 1:1-7 

 

"Mom, can I take a few of these to Mrs. Henderson after school tomorrow?" asked Allison as she and her mother finished making cookies one evening.

 

"That's a good idea," said Mom. Their next-door neighbor couldn't walk well and didn't get out much, so Allison would often stop at her house after school to say hello. Sometimes her friend Liz joined them too.

 

The next afternoon, Allison ran up Mrs. Henderson's front steps and rang the bell. "Mrs. Henderson, I'm here!" she called as she opened the door.

 

"Hello, Allison," Mrs. Henderson said. She was in her favorite chair with an old quilt wrapped around her. "It's so cool and rainy today, so I'm all bundled up."

 

"You look warm and comfortable," said Allison with a smile. "Would you like me to fix you a cup of tea? I have a couple of homemade cookies too."

 

Mrs. Henderson beamed. "Yes--thank you! That sounds lovely."

 

As she sipped her tea, Mrs. Henderson asked Allison about her friend Liz. "Oh, she couldn't come today because she has flute lessons," replied Allison with a sigh. "She's so talented! She plays both the piano and the flute--and she can sing too. I can't do any of that stuff! I'm no good at anything."

"Why, Allison, that's not true!" Mrs. Henderson replied. "You have a very special gift--the ability to make others feel good. This was such a dreary day for me until you came. You're like a little bit of sunshine!" She smiled at Allison. "You remind me of Philemon in the Bible. The apostle Paul wrote that Philemon refreshed those who knew him. You do that too, Allison. You point others to Jesus by your kindness and thoughtfulness. You show God's love in the way you live. That's one of the very best gifts you could possibly have."

 

Allison gave Mrs. Henderson a hug. "I'm glad if I help make other people feel refreshed," she said, "but I never would have thought of that as a special gift from God." She smiled. "Thank you for telling me." -Linda M. Weddle

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you have a caring attitude toward others? Do you take time to simply be with them, talk with them, and listen to them? If you do, it’s no doubt refreshing for them to have you as a friend. Look around. Ask God to help you find someone you can encourage with your friendship. He’s given you the gift of His love and kindness so you can share it with others.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Philemon 1:7 (KJV)

Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. (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 25, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

God’s Plan (Friday)

Read: Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6-9 

 

"Mom, I thought God made the world," said Ryder one afternoon. He watched as his little sister Amelia took crayons and paper from the drawer.

 

"That's right, Ryder. God did create the world," Mom replied, reaching for a piece of paper and crayons herself.

 

"Well, my science book seems to be saying that everything just...just happened," said Ryder. "I didn't quite get it, but it sounded like the world just kinda made itself. How do we know for sure it didn't happen like that?"

 

"Aren't you going to draw a picture, Mommy?" asked Amelia. "Draw a horse for me, okay? Please?"

 

Mom sat back and looked at the paper and crayons on the table. "Let's just watch these crayons a little while," she said. "If we wait long enough, maybe they'll just happen to draw a sky and grass and trees and horses--and even people--all by themselves."

 

"No, they won't!" said Amelia. "A picture can't just draw itself."

 

"No?" Mom turned to Ryder. "Do you agree with your sister?"

 

"Of course!" Ryder replied.

Mom smiled. "You're absolutely right. A picture can't draw itself, and the world couldn't make itself either. It didn't just happen. Tell me--when you want to make a picture, how do you go about it? What do you do first?"

 

"Uh...I decide what I want in it," said Ryder. "I plan how to do it--what to put where."

 

Mom nodded. "Well, God had a plan too. He knew every little detail of what He wanted His world to be like, from the tiniest flower to the largest dinosaur. What's the next thing you do?"

 

"Well, I pick up my pencils or crayons or whatever I've decided to use and start drawing," said Ryder.

 

"You put your plan into action. That's what God did too. He spoke, and it was done. God's special plan--the world--was brought into existence by His word. Everything--and everyone--that exists is here because God wanted to show His glory and love by creating us and the world we live in."

 

Amelia picked up a crayon and held it out to Mom. "Will you draw my horse now?"

 

Mom took the crayon. "All right. One black horse coming up." -Gayle J. Thorn

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you been told the world just happened to come into being? Don’t believe it! God planned out exactly how everything in our world should be, down to the smallest detail. He spoke, and the world was created. And He cares about every part of His creation—including you! Be thankful you have such a great and wonderful God who loves and cares for you.

 

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

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (NKJV)