** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <September 10, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

The Greatest Miracle (Monday)

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 

 

"Was that Aunt Julie?" asked Logan as his mother hung up the phone.

 

"Yes, it was," replied Mom with a big smile. "She said the infection in Maria's eye has completely cleared up. That is such a blessing!"

 

"Yeah!" said Logan as he thought back over the past few months. "She's been taking one medicine after another, and the doctors even thought she'd need eye surgery! I'm glad we kept praying for her."

 

"What's going on?" asked Logan's sister Tonya as she came into the room. Logan told her what Aunt Julie had said. "All right!" said Tonya. "It's like God did a miracle for her, isn't it? She must be feeling really good about that!" Tonya sat down at the table. "Wouldn't it be cool to have God do a miracle in your life?"

 

Logan grinned at his sister. "What miracle would you want? It wouldn't be to get over an illness, since you're already healthy." He scratched his head as he pretended to think about it. "I know! Maybe you'd want to become the kind, helpful, loving sister your wonderful brother deserves to have."

 

"Ha!" Tonya playfully swatted at him. "I'm already a more terrific sister than my baby brother deserves."

 

"Actually, God has already performed a wonderful miracle in each of your lives," Mom said.

 

"He has? When was that?" asked Tonya.

 

"Yeah, Mom. What miracle are you talking about?" Logan asked. "I know God's given us lots of blessings, but they're not really miracles, are they? Not the kind we're thinking of."

 

"No," Mom agreed. "I wasn't thinking of everyday blessings either, though sometimes the way God provides for us can be miraculous. I was thinking of the miracle of salvation. When Jesus saves us, He changes our hearts and lives. He takes away our sin and gives us new life, and the Holy Spirit works in our lives to make us more like Him."

 

"More like Jesus?" Logan grinned. "So He did do a miracle in Tonya's life to make her more kind, helpful, and loving."

 

Tonya laughed. "Yeah, and He did the same for you when you trusted in Jesus. Salvation is the greatest miracle of all!" -Deana Rogers

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Has Jesus done a miracle in your life? Many people look for miracles to prove that God’s power is real, but they fail to recognize the greatest miracle of all—a changed life. God still does wonderful, miraculous things, like healing diseases or giving protection in dangerous situations, but the most wonderful miracle of all is salvation through Jesus. You can experience that miracle today!

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (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 <September 06, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Every Step (Tuesday)

Read: Psalm 37:23-24, 30-31

 

Mom's going to the hospital for her surgery tomorrow, Amelia thought as she stomped angrily down the stairs. And then she has to have all that chemotherapy. I know that's to kill any remaining cancer cells, but it will probably make her lose her long, beautiful hair! Amelia wiped away a tear. And what if...what if she dies? As Amelia reached the bottom step, she heard her mother talking to Aunt Diane on the phone and laughing. How can Mom be happy on such a miserable day? Amelia wondered.

 

When Mom finished talking with Aunt Diane, she fixed breakfast for Amelia--a sausage link arranged as a smile on top of a pancake, with two blueberries for eyes. Amelia frowned. "How can you be happy today?" she asked. "I'm so scared."

 

"It's a scary situation," agreed Mom. "But we can trust Jesus to be with us through this and work everything out for our good."

 

Amelia began to cry. "Oh, Mom!" she sobbed. "I don't want you to die."

 

Mom knelt beside Amelia's chair. "Honey, God has all things under His control," she said, giving Amelia a hug. "The doctors expect me to make a full recovery--but I'm trusting Jesus, because no matter what happens, I know I have eternal life with Him. He'll be there for both of us. The Bible says God is watching every step I take--and every step you take too."

"Yes, but..." Amelia sniffed and sighed deeply. "It's hard to trust when you're afraid."

 

"I know," Mom said. "But it should be easier for us to trust God than all the other things we trust every day."

 

"Like what?" asked Amelia.

 

"Well..." Mom looked around. "I heard you stomp pretty hard down the stairs this morning, so you apparently trust the steps in this old house even though they've gotten a bit rickety over the years. If our old stairs can support your angry steps, don't you think God can support our every step in life?"

 

Amelia nodded slowly. "But what if your hair falls out, Mom?"

 

"Then we'll save money on shampoo for a while," said Mom with a grin.

 

Amelia had to smile. Mom is trusting God every step, and I'll do that too, she decided.

 

-Patricia Wolf

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you trust God when everything seems to be going wrong? When you face hard situations, remember that He is in control. He loves you and promises to help you through scary and difficult times. Jesus died and rose again so you could live with Him forever, and He will work everything in your life out for good. Every step you take, He will be with you. You can trust Him.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Proverbs 16:9 (KJV)

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (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 <September 07, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Unarmed (Wednesday)

Read: Ephesians 6:11-18 

 

"Ihave a little story to start our class today," Mr. Larson announced to his Sunday

 

school class. "It has a lesson that goes along with today's Bible verse."

 

"Oh no!" said Anthony. "I forgot my Bible again!"

 

"Well, you can scoot your chair over and look on with Terrance," Mr. Larson said.

 

"Okay," said Anthony, moving his chair. "But why do you always have us look up stuff in our Bibles, Mr. Larson? Why don't you just

 

tell us what it says?"

 

"The verses we'll be reading should help you understand that, and I think my story about a knight will help too," said Mr. Larson. The kids looked up eagerly as he began. "Sir Frederick was a very proud knight. He was always willing to go into battle to protect his country. But when he came face-to-face with his enemy on the battlefield one day, Sir Frederick discovered he had a serious problem. I forgot my sword!' he cried out. I have nothing to fight with!' And it wasn't long before the enemy captured Sir Frederick."

 

The kids laughed. It seemed funny for a knight to forget his sword!

 

"Now, let's look at our Bibles," said Mr. Larson. "Terrance, would you read Ephesians 6:17, please?"

 

"Sure," said Terrance. "Let's see...here it is. It says, Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.'"

 

"Like Sir Frederick, Christians are in a battle," said Mr. Larson. "We're in a battle against Satan, and we need our sword--the Bible. It helps us fight Satan's attacks by reminding us we've been saved by Jesus and belong to Him. When Satan tries to tempt us or make us think God doesn't love us, we can wield the truth of God's Word and remember that Jesus defeated sin and Satan when He died on the cross to save us. That's why I ask you to read from your Bibles. Just carrying them along to church isn't what helps you. You need to learn what it says by listening in church and reading God's Word for yourself." Mr. Larson held up his Bible. "Without this, you're like unarmed soldiers."

 

"Well, I'm bringing my Bible--my sword--next week," Anthony declared.

 

"Good," said Mr. Larson. "Then you'll be ready for battle!" -Linda M. Weddle

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you wielding your sword—the Bible? Do you listen to your pastors and teachers when they talk about what it says? Do you read it for yourself? It’s important to know what God says in His Word. It’s part of the armor you need to fight Satan, who wants you to believe his lies instead of God’s truth—that Jesus has won the war against sin and death. Bring your sword into battle!

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (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 <September 08, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

A Life Worth Living (Thursday)

Read: Matthew 25:31-40 

 

Editor's note: This story addresses suicide and may not be suitable for young children. Noah heard Jordan sigh when Miss Volf handed back his science test. "School stinks!" Jordan declared. "I hate tests! I think I'll just kill myself."

 

Noah gave him a worried look. "Come on, it can't be that bad."

"But it is," Jordan insisted. "I got an F."

 

As the class headed to the cafeteria for lunch, Noah had a nervous, jumpy feeling inside. He couldn't stop thinking about what Jordan had said. He probably didn't mean it, Noah thought. It's not that big a deal. But he couldn't get Jordan's words out of his mind. "Please help me do the right thing, Jesus," Noah prayed. "Do I need to tell someone about what he said?"

 

Later, during quiet reading time, Noah went up to Miss Volf's desk. "I need to tell you something," he said. Miss Volf listened as Noah told her what Jordan had said.

 

"You did the right thing telling me, Noah," said Miss Volf. "I will let our school counselor know, and we will decide what to do." Noah returned to his seat, feeling relieved.

That evening, Noah's parents called him to the kitchen. "Miss Volf just called," Mom said. "The school and Jordan's parents are very thankful you cared enough to say something to your teacher. They will make sure he gets help."

 

"Good," said Noah. "I wasn't sure if he was joking, but it didn't seem like something he should joke about."

"It's not," said Dad. "Suicide is very serious. A kid who talks about taking their own life, even in a joking manner, may be going through difficult things and need help."

 

"Can I invite Jordan over sometime?" asked Noah. "I think he could use a friend. He usually plays by himself and never seems very happy. Maybe I'll have a chance to tell him Jesus wants to be his friend too."

 

"That's a great idea," Dad said. "Jesus understands what Jordan is going through. He died on the cross and then rose again to give him hope. He wants to help Jordan handle whatever is hard for him. Why don't we pray for Jordan right now?" Noah nodded, and they all bowed their heads. "Jesus," Dad prayed, "please let Jordan know You love him and that his life is worth living. Help Noah know how to be a good friend to him. Amen." -Ruth Hochstetler

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you ever see kids who seem sad or upset? Have you even heard them say life isn’t worth living? Suicide is no joking matter, and it’s important to speak up if you or someone you know is having thoughts like that. Tell an adult if someone says something that concerns you. Bring hope to those who are hurting by getting them the help they need and pointing them to Jesus.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: John 10:10 (KJV)

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (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 <September 09, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

The Frame on the Wall (Friday)

Read: Ephesians 2:1-9 

 

"Why do you always do that?" asked Miley as she watched her mom adjust the crooked frame on their wall.

 

Mom laughed. "It won't hang straight, and I want to keep it up here."

 

Miley shook her head. "You should just buy a new frame."

 

"I like this one," Mom said. "It just needs a little grace."

 

The next day, Miley noticed her mom by the frame again, trying to get it so that it sat perfectly straight. "It's not going to stay like that, Mom. You know it isn't."

 

Mom turned toward her. "Do you remember going with your dad to pick out this frame?" Miley shook her head. "It was the last time he took you shopping," Mom said quietly. "This frame is special to me, and it just needs a little grace." She nodded toward the kitchen. "Cookies?"

 

"Sure." Miley walked slowly into the other room.

 

"That frame has me thinking." Mom pulled a gallon of milk out of the refrigerator. "It really means a lot to me, so I'm willing to adjust it a little and care for it so that it sits right on the wall." She smiled at Miley. "It's kind of like how God gently nudges us when we aren't sitting right."

 

Miley wrinkled her eyebrows. "Huh?"

 

Mom set a glass of milk in front of her. "Remember how I said I felt bad about all the gossiping I was doing at work?"

 

Miley nodded. "And I told you I gossip at school too."

 

"Right," Mom said. "I think that was God nudging us. Adjusting us. Showing us a little grace as He worked on us." Mom handed Miley a cookie on a plate. "God doesn't just tear us off of the wall when we sin and throw us away. He saved us because we're special to Him, and He's working to make us more like Jesus. He gives us second chances. He wants us to stay on the wall because He cares about us."

 

"Even though we're not perfect?" Miley asked.

 

Mom nodded. "Someday, when Jesus gets rid of sin forever, we will be. But we don't have to be perfect for Him to love us." -Emily Acker

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you feel guilty when you mess up? Do you think God might not forgive you for what you’ve done and stop caring about you? That could never happen. God loves you even though you’re not perfect. He sent His Son to die for you so you could have eternal life with Him. When you do something wrong, He shows you grace. Trust Him to forgive you and adjust you so you’re more like Jesus.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: John 1:16 (KJV)

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (NIV)