** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <May 18, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

The Safe (Monday)

Read: Proverbs 2:1-8 

 

"Uncle Frank is Dad's uncle, right?" asked Ben as his mom unlocked the safe in Uncle Frank's house and took a stack of yellowed papers from it.

 

"That's right," said Mom. She set aside one paper.

 

"This has information the hospital needs for Uncle Frank's records." She put the other papers back in the safe and locked it. Then they left and went to the hospital. While Mom took care of business in the hospital office, Ben went down the hall to Uncle Frank's room. "Hi, Uncle Frank," he said.

 

The elderly man raised his head from the pillow. "Uhhh," he muttered, peering closely at Ben. "Oh," he said after a moment. "It's little Jimmy."

 

Ben shook his head. "No, I'm Ben. Jim is my dad. He's grown up now." Uncle Frank looked puzzled and didn't say anything. Not knowing what else to do, Ben took the bulletin he'd gotten at church that morning from his pocket and held it out. "Um…would you like to look at our church bulletin?"

 

Uncle Frank took the bulletin and held it close to his face. He began to read the verse printed at the top. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High"--he put the paper down and closed his eyes--"will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." When Mom came into the room a little later, Uncle Frank had just finished reciting all of Psalm 91.

 

"Uncle Frank didn't remember me. He thought I was Dad," Ben said on the way home. "But he recited a whole chapter of the Bible! How could he remember all that when he didn't even know me?"

 

"Old age often robs people of memory, but many elderly people can recall hymns and verses long after they forget almost everything else," said Mom. "When you memorize God's Word, you store it in your heart, and it's available when you need it."

 

"Like Uncle Frank's papers were stored in the safe in his house?" asked Ben.

 

Mom smiled. "Something like that, only better. A safe in a house can be broken into, but treasures hidden in your heart can never be stolen from you. They're always there to remind you that, no matter what happens to you, God's promises are true and Jesus is always with you." -Barbara J. Westberg

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Are you storing treasure in your heart? You can store up great riches by memorizing God’s Word. Think of each Bible verse you learn as a valuable treasure hidden in your heart. Even when you grow old, it will still be there to remind you of Jesus’s love for you and give you comfort and encouragement. Learn today’s Key Verse as a reminder of the importance of knowing God’s Word.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Psalm 119:11 (KJV)

I have hidden your word in my heart. (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 < May 17, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Rubbed the Wrong Way (Tuesday)

Read: Psalm 32:1-5 

 

A cat's loud meow came from the living room--again and again. "Ava," called Mom, "what are you doing to Luna?" Not waiting for an answer, she left her work in the office and went to investigate. "Why did Luna yowl like that?" she asked as she walked into the room.

 

"I was just petting her," said Ava. "When Luna turned around to face the other way, I didn't change the direction I was stroking her, so I was rubbing her fur opposite from the way it naturally lays." Ava grinned. "That made it all stand up. I thought it was funny, but Luna didn't like it!"

 

"I'm sure she didn't!" said Mom. "It must feel uncomfortable for a cat to have its fur rubbed the wrong way. Don't do that anymore."

 

When Ava returned home from school the next day, she didn't look happy. "How was your day?" asked Mom. Ava avoided her mom's eyes. "Fine."

 

"Really?" asked Mom. "It doesn't seem like it was fine."

 

Ava looked at her mom, then burst into tears. "Oh, Mom! I cheated on a test. There were some really hard questions, and since I sit in the back corner, I was able to pull some of my notes out of my bag without anyone noticing. But now I feel awful!"

 

Mom gave Ava a hug. "And do you know why you feel that way?"

 

Ava sniffled. "Because I know it was wrong?"

 

Mom nodded. "Remember how Luna hated having her fur rubbed the wrong way? When we sin, it's as if our fur is being rubbed the wrong way. That's because sin goes against who we are as Christians. Jesus freed us from sin, so it's the opposite of how we should be living our lives as God's children. That's why it makes you feel uncomfortable and guilty, and you don't feel right again until you confess your sin to Jesus. When you do, He will forgive you."

 

"I guess I need to do that now," Ava said, wiping her eyes. She sighed. "I'll have to tell Mrs. Naveen I cheated too, won't I?"

 

Mom nodded. "I'll call her tonight, and then you can talk to her tomorrow."

 

"Okay." Ava smiled at her mom. "I feel better already."

 

-Deborah S. Marett

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you feel uncomfortable about something you’ve done? When you feel guilty because you know you’ve done wrong, think of it as having your fur rubbed the wrong way. Sin goes against who you are as God’s child. But you don’t need to continue feeling guilty and uncomfortable. Confess what you’ve done to Jesus, and He will forgive you.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (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 < May 19, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Top Priority (Wednesday)

Read: Exodus 20:3; Matthew 22:35-38 

 

"Hey, Mom, I'm going over to Robby's to shoot some hoops," called Vincent as he bounded down the porch steps. "Hold on, young man," said Mom. "I have some questions for you."

 

"Okay, but make it quick. The guys are waiting," Vincent said as he dribbled up and down the sidewalk.

 

"For starters, could you please hold that ball still for just a minute?" asked Mom. "Have you finished the chore list I gave you this morning?"

Vincent twirled the ball on his index finger. "Um, most of it."

 

"Did you do your Bible reading today?"

"Aww, Mom. Can't I just play ball with my friends for a while? I'll do that later."

 

"I know you think you'll get to it later, but from what I've seen lately, all you think about is basketball. You're either playing it, reading about it, or watching it."

 

"I think about other things," Vincent retorted. "You make it sound like I worship basketball."

"That's an interesting way to word it," Mom said. "Worship can be defined as excessive admiration for someone or something. And basketball seems to be all you care about."

 

Vincent stopped twirling the ball. "I guess that does sound bad."

 

"Playing basketball isn't bad. In fact, I'm glad you've found a sport you really enjoy. However, when it becomes the top priority above everything else, that's not good. The Bible warns us about how easily we can make gods out of things we love instead of worshiping the one true God, who gives us those good things. The first of the Ten Commandments says, ‘You shall have no other gods before me.' That means Jesus should be your top priority. He's the one who saved you from sin and gave you eternal life. Basketball may bring you temporary happiness, but only Jesus can give you joy that lasts forever."

 

Vincent looked down at his basketball. He knew his mom was right. He had let basketball become more important than anything else. "I guess you're right," he said. "But it's hard. I want to follow Jesus, but I love playing basketball too."

 

Mom smiled. "You can follow Jesus and love basketball, Vincent. You just need to keep your priorities straight. Enjoy basketball as a gift from Him--but not at the expense of everything else." -Kendra Angle

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

What’s your top priority? It’s easy to let sports, hobbies, or even friends become the most important thing in your life. Those are all things God gave us to enjoy, but none of them should become more important than Him. Jesus loves you, and He knows nothing can fulfill you apart from Him. Enjoy the gifts He’s given you, but worship Him alone.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (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 < May 20, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

God’s Image (Thursday)

Read: Genesis 1:26-27; Exodus 20:4 

 

"Grandma, what does ‘graven image' mean?" Sapphire asked as she paged through her grandmother's Bible. "One of the Ten Commandments says not to make any graven images. I've read that verse before, but I don't think my Bible says it like that."

 

"A graven image is a statue or other physical likeness that people make out of something like gold, silver, or stone to worship," said Grandma. "They were very common in the nations around Israel during Bible times, and many people in some parts of the world have them today."

 

"So it's an idol," said Sapphire.

 

"Yes, it often refers to the image of a false god that doesn't exist. But God was also forbidding the Israelites to make images of Him, because no human-made image could ever portray God as He truly is."

 

"People don't do that in our time, do they?" asked Sapphire. "I haven't seen any images of God like that."

 

"Well, maybe not physical images," said Grandma. "But it's possible to get a false image of God stuck in our heads."

 

"Like what?" asked Sapphire.

 

"Well, for example, it's possible to make an image of God in our minds that looks a lot like us. We often feel more comfortable with people who look, act, and think like us, and we might wrongly think God is more comfortable with people like us too. But God made people of every race, culture, and language in His image, and He loves them all the same." Grandma smiled at Sapphire. "In fact, that's one reason why God forbids graven images of Himself--because if we want to see what His image looks like, all we need to do is look around! Every single person on earth bears His image in their intellect, creativity, and free will, to name a few things. But there's one person who shows us God's image more than any other. Do you know who that is?"

 

Sapphire grinned. "I'm guessing it's Jesus?"

 

"Right!" said Grandma. "Jesus shows us exactly what God is like because He is God. In Him we see God's character and His great love for all people. We worship Jesus, who became one of us and is always with those who trust in Him. That's better than anything you can carve out of stone." -Courtney Lasater

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you want to know what God is like? His image can’t be captured in wood or stone because His greatness is beyond our imagining. His likeness can be seen in the people around you, because He created all people in His image. But to get a full picture of what God is like, look to Jesus, who is revealed to us in God’s Word, the Bible. He is God in human form, and He is always with us.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Colossians 2:9 (KJV)

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. (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 < May 22, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

The Sabbath Day (Friday)

Read: Exodus 20:8; Mark 2:27–3:6 

 

Charlotte's family had just finished Sunday dinner at Grandma's. "Charlotte, would you help me with the dishes, please?" asked Grandma, handing Charlotte a dish towel. "I'll wash, you dry! Now, what did you learn in Sunday school today?"

 

"We've been learning about the Ten Commandments, and today was about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Some kids started arguing about what you should or shouldn't do on Sunday. Heather said her family doesn't do any work or chores around the house, but Jason said his dad takes Sunday to do odd jobs he hasn't had time to do during the week. I was a little confused about it all. What do you think, Grandma?"

 

Grandma thought for a moment. "That can be a touchy subject for believers. In fact, people were disagreeing about the Sabbath in Jesus's day. One Sabbath day, Jesus and His disciples were picking some heads of grain because they were hungry. The Pharisees, who had set up strict rules about what you could and couldn't do on the Sabbath, accused Him of breaking the law because He was doing work by picking grain. Another time those same Pharisees were upset that Jesus healed a crippled man on the Sabbath."

 

"You mean Jesus got in trouble?" Charlotte asked in surprise.

 

"With the Pharisees, yes! They were more focused on following rules than following Jesus." Grandma rinsed a soapy dish and handed it to Charlotte. "I think God intended the Sabbath to be a time of rest and refreshment from our daily work and routines," Grandma said. "It refreshes us to remember what Jesus did to save us and to worship Him with other Christians. But the Sabbath can look different for different people. Our family likes to spend time doing things together. Some people enjoy hobbies on Sunday, while others just like to take a nap!"

 

"Like Grandpa!" Charlotte laughed. "A couple of Sundays ago, Dad helped our neighbor fix his flat tire. Do you think that was okay?"

 

"That sounds like Jesus! The Bible tells us Jesus healed people on the Sabbath. He was more concerned about loving others than following the list of rules made by the religious leaders of the day. I think your dad showed Jesus's love to your neighbor and that was his way of keeping the Sabbath holy."

 

-Kendra Angle

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Does your family take a break from the normal routine of work and school on Sundays? Keeping the Sabbath day holy means taking time to honor Jesus by going to church, relaxing with your family, and even helping others. We can rest because we don’t have to do anything to earn God’s favor—Jesus earned it for us! God made the Sabbath day for our benefit, and each family has a different way of keeping it special.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Mark 2:27 (KJV)

Then [Jesus] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (NIV)