** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional <October 28, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

An Early Christmas Wish (Monday)

Read: Proverbs 14:31; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8 

 

"Dad, Christmas is coming!" said Marisol with a grin.

"Christmas? It's pretty early for that. You're not giving me your wish list already, are you?"

 

"I haven't even thought about that yet," Marisol said. "This will be our first winter since we moved here, so I have an idea for making Christmas special this year."  "I'm listening," said Dad.

 

"Remember when we went shopping and I asked if I could get those red leather boots I saw in the store window?" Marisol asked.   "I remember."

 

"You said that, living here, I'd need waterproof snow boots, so if I also wanted fancy boots I'd have to save up and buy those myself," Marisol said. "So last week while I was visiting the leather boots--"

"Wait," Dad interrupted. "You visited the leather boots?"

 

"Sometimes I go admire them at the store. But this time I saw something else in the window. There was a poster about a toy drive for families that don't have much money. The police department collects toys and passes them out to kids at a Christmas party. Isn't that cool?"

 

"Absolutely. I've heard about that. They ask the public to donate new toys. So, did you want to donate a toy?"

"No," Marisol said. "I want to donate six toys. They have three age groups for boys and three for girls, so six total." "That's a lot of money, Marisol."

 

Marisol nodded. "I've been saving boot money for months. And I still have my birthday money from Grandma and all the money Mrs. Sadler pays me to walk her dogs."

 

Dad smiled. "I love this idea, Marisol, and I'm so glad to see you focused on caring for people, just like Jesus calls us to do. But I'm curious--what made you decide to give up all your boot money like this?"

 

"Well, I can't stop thinking about that poster," said Marisol. "I already have a lot, and some kids have almost nothing. And moving to a new place helped me realize how much Jesus gave up for us--He left heaven and came to earth that first Christmas as a baby. I want to be like that."

Dad nodded. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate our Savior's birth."

-Teresa Ambord

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

How can you celebrate the birth of Jesus this year? Even though Christmas is still a couple months away, it’s not too early to start thinking about how you could show others the love of Jesus this holiday season. Celebrate His birth by blessing someone else who could use a small gift, a kind word, or a helping hand.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 1 John 3:17 (KJV)

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? (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 < October 25, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

The Lasting Word (Tuesday)

Read: 1 Peter 1:22-25 

 

Sophie half-heartedly swung on the porch swing and gazed gloomily at the withering flowers and browning grass. The extra-hot summer had taken effect on the town's usually vibrant and beautiful landscape. Almost all the flower gardens and bright-green lawns now looked wilted and drab. Sophie had been looking forward to enjoying the flowers she and her mother had planted, but there was no hope of that now. They had shriveled up in the dry heat.

 

Lost in thought, Sophie didn't notice when Mrs. Jenkins, her elderly neighbor, walked up. Only when Mrs. Jenkins stood directly in front of her did Sophie finally come out of her daze.

 

"Hello there, Sophie! How are you today?"

"Well, I suppose I'm just…okay," Sophie replied.

Mrs. Jenkins tilted her head. "Do you mind if I sit down? I brought some of my lemon bars for you to enjoy."

 

Sophie managed a smile as she made room for her neighbor. "I would never refuse your famous goodies!"

 

Two lemon bars later, Sophie had expressed all her woes. Her neighbor replied, "You know, this reminds me of my favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 40:8. It says, ‘The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.' Isn't that amazing? As much as we love to see pretty flowers and fresh, green grass, they always eventually die and wither away. But God gave us something that will never pass away." "What's that?" Sophie asked.

 

"His Word--the Bible. It will never change and can never be destroyed. It tells us the truth of how Jesus died and rose again to save us and points us to the abundant joy and contentment found only in Him. Even if everything else is going wrong around us--even if all the flowers and trees fade away--the truth of God's Word will stand forever, no matter what."

 

Sophie thought for several moments. "I have an idea," she said, looking exuberant. "I'm going to start a Bible study!"

 

Mrs. Jenkins smiled. "Sophie, would you mind if I join you? We could study the Bible each afternoon right here on your porch swing! Of course, we may need to restock our supply of lemon bars to keep us going!" They both laughed as they looked at the empty plate. -Kaley Thatcher

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you feel discouraged because something in your life didn’t go as planned? Remember that the things in this world are temporary, but the truth of God’s Word lasts forever. The Bible says that no matter what happens, Jesus will be with those who trust in Him. It tells us He’s the only one who can truly satisfy our hearts. When you feel discouraged, find comfort and encouragement in His lasting Word.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. (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 < October 27, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

It Takes Faith (Wednesday)

Read: Hebrews 11:1-6 

 

Abel and Maggie were enjoying a weekend at their grandparents' cabin. While

 

Grandma went to make hot chocolate, the twins sat with Grandpa in front of the fire and popped popcorn in an old-fashioned, long-handled basket.

 

"In our class at church today, Peter said his dad doesn't believe you need to have faith in Jesus to be saved and go to heaven. Peter told us his dad says there's no point in having faith in anything."

 

"And what did your teacher say?" Grandpa asked.

"Miss Wilson said almost everything we do takes faith," Maggie replied. "She told us if we can have faith in people and things, we certainly can have faith in Jesus."

 

Abel frowned. "I don't know what she means--I'm not even quite sure what faith is. But Miss Wilson didn't have time to explain before the class ended." Abel took the popcorn popper and shook it over the hot coals.

 

"Why are you holding that over the fire?" asked Grandpa. "And why shake it?"

 

Abel looked at him in surprise. "It has to get good and hot to make the kernels pop," he said, sitting down on a stool. "I shake it to keep the kernels from staying in one spot and burning."

"Why are you sitting on that stool?" asked Grandpa. "Aren't you afraid it will collapse?"

 

"Grandpa!" said Abel. "Of course not!"

 

"So, you have faith that the heat will change the kernels," said Grandpa. "You have faith that shaking them will keep them from burning. And you have faith that the stool will hold you. I'm sure you can think of other things you have faith in too."

 

Maggie laughed at the astonished expression on her brother's face. "Yeah, Abel. I guess you agree with Miss Wilson after all."

 

Abel laughed too. "I guess I do."

 

Grandpa nodded. "Very simply, faith is just believing. Faith in Jesus is believing that what He says is true--even though we may not understand it. It's trusting Him to do what He says He'll do--forgive our sins and give us eternal life."

 

Abel looked at the popped corn. "If we can have faith in heat and stools, we can definitely have faith in Jesus!" -Geri Walcott

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you have faith? If you ride in a bus, a plane, or a car, it takes faith—a belief that those things will get you where you want to go. Riding in vehicles takes faith in people too—like pilots, drivers, and mechanics. Since you have faith in things and people, you surely can have faith in God. People can make errors, but not God. Believe what He says in the Bible—that you need Jesus to save you from sin. Then trust Him to do it.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (CSB)

 

** Daily Devotional 에서 방송된 내용의 줄거리입니다. Daily Devotional은 Keys for kids Ministries에서 지원받은 프로그램입니다. 홈페이지 www.keysforkids.org로 들어가시면 Keys for kids Daily Devotional < October 30, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Over and Over (Thursday)

Read: Proverbs 1:1-8 

 

"Simon!" Mom called. "Come in and do your lesson for Bible club. You've been working with King for almost an hour!"

 

"But, Mom, if I don't train King every chance I get, he won't be ready for the dog show next week," Simon replied. "Besides, I already looked at my lesson. It's just the story about Daniel and the lions. I don't need to study that. I've already heard it a million times!"

 

"I don't think it's been quite that many," Mom said. "Just come and do it. You may surprise yourself and learn something new."

 

"I doubt that!" Simon grumbled to himself as he went in and plopped down at the table with his Bible and lesson book. Five minutes later, he was out the door. "I'm done, Mom! I'll be working with King!"

 

That evening, Simon couldn't stop talking about his dog and how well he was learning. "Ever since King was just a little puppy, I've taught him to obey by making him do things over and over until he got them right."

 

"Yes, I know," said Mom. "You're so patient with him, and I can tell he's learning to trust you and wants to obey you." She smiled at Simon. "Like King, you've been taught many things since you were very young--lessons from the Bible about who God is and how much He loves you. And like King, you need to hear those lessons more than once in order for them to soak in. Each time I hear a Bible story, I learn something new from it--a truth about God I never realized before. And the more I learn about Jesus and His love for me, the more I want to trust and obey Him. Hearing about God's love and faithfulness in the Bible over and over can help us grow in our relationship with Him."

 

"So you're saying it doesn't really matter if I have the same lesson lots of times?" asked Simon.

"You give King the same lessons day after day," Mom pointed out.

 

Simon nodded thoughtfully. "I did my Bible lesson pretty fast this afternoon," he said. "I should probably go over it again." He scratched his dog's head. "You can help me, King. Come!" King faithfully followed Simon to his room.

-Deborah S. Marett

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you get tired of hearing the same Bible stories over and over? Each story in the Bible contains truth about God and His infinite love and faithfulness. That means each time you hear the same story, you can learn something new. The next time you hear a familiar story, think about what it says about Jesus and His love for you. How does it remind you to trust and obey Him?

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Proverbs 23:12 (KJV)

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge. (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 < October 31, 2022>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

I'm Scared! (Friday)

Read: Psalm 27:1-7 

 

The sound of pattering footsteps filled the hallway as five-year-old Maverick ran to the door of his older sister's room. "Marissa, I'm scared!"

 

"What's wrong, buddy?" Marissa asked.

 

"There's something knocking on my window," Maverick said in a frightened voice. "Can you call Dad?" Their dad was at the neighbors' house helping them fix their sink.

 

"Let me see if I can figure out what's banging on your window," Marissa said as she climbed out of bed and headed toward Maverick's room. She tiptoed to the window with Maverick following closely behind. As she peered into the darkness outside, she heard a loud thud against the window. She quickly turned, almost running into Maverick, and ran out of the room screaming.

 

They both ran back to Marissa's room, and she slammed the door behind them. "I'm calling Dad," she said. After Marissa called Dad's cell phone, Maverick curled up on the floor while they waited for him to come home.

 

They both jumped when they heard a knock on Marissa's door. "It's okay, guys. It's just me," Dad said as he stepped into the room. "I found what was making that noise against the window. A piece of siding came loose and was flopping in the wind."

Marissa sat up on her bed. "I'm sorry I called you, Dad, but I was so scared!"

 

"Me too!" said Maverick as he jumped into his dad's arms.

 

"No, you did the right thing by calling me when you were afraid," Dad said. "You know I'll always come help you as soon as I can. And don't forget you have someone else you can call on when you're scared."

 

Maverick looked at his dad. "Who?" he asked.

"I know," said Marissa. "God!"

 

Dad nodded. "We can always call on our heavenly Father when we feel afraid, and He will help us--often by sending a parent or another adult to help, like He did for you tonight. Because we trust in Jesus, we're God's children, and He promises to be with us and help us through scary situations."

 

After Dad took Maverick back to his room, Marissa settled into her bed. Before going to sleep, she said a prayer thanking her heavenly Father that she could call on Him whenever she was afraid. -Melissa Yeagle

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Did you know that you can call on God whenever you feel afraid? He is always with you and will help you when you face scary things in life. You can go to Him in prayer anytime. Trust Him to help you in difficult times and to give you wisdom and strength. The next time you feel afraid, remember your heavenly Father is with you. He loves you and promises to help you through everything you face.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Psalm 56:3 (KJV)

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. (NLV)