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

 

Loved Like a Kitten (Monday)

Read: Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 21:1-5 

 

When the flea-covered and starving foster kittens had arrived several weeks before, they couldn't even open their eyes. Now, they were healthy, growing, and busy as could be--rolling around, climbing up and down, batting at the air, and cuddling with Malachi and his mom.

 

As Malachi played in the living room with the kittens, the TV was on in the background. Malachi heard a reporter talk about lots of sad and scary things happening in the world. The more she talked, the sadder Malachi felt.

That's when Mom walked in.

 

"Mom?" Malachi asked. "Where is God with all the hurt going on?"

 

"That's a really good question," said Mom. "Why don't I turn this TV off so we can talk about it?"

 

With that, the two of them--plus a kitten--curled up on the couch. Mom rubbed the kitten's head until he fell asleep. "Malachi," Mom said, "do you remember when the kittens were brand-new and couldn't even open their eyes?"

Malachi nodded. "They were helpless."

 

"Yes," said Mom. "All they knew was that we were here with them while they needed lots of help. They couldn't see us, but they knew we were present and loved them."

 

Mom breathed in deeply. "I don't have an answer for why bad things happen. All I know is that our world is broken because of sin, that Jesus is with us, and that He's working to fix all this. I'm like a kitten who just has to trust that I'm loved and not alone and that my suffering won't last forever."

 

"That's like my memory verse," said Malachi. "‘For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.'"

 

"Yes," said Mom. "We don't see everything clearly right now in our broken world, but Jesus is with us even now, and He knows how much it hurts. But, one day, we'll see Him face-to-face, and He'll make all things new. All His people will be healed and whole, just like our kittens."

 

-Kandi Zeller

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

When you see sad or scary stuff on the news, how do you feel? When you’re afraid, talk with Jesus and a trusted adult right away. You are not alone. Jesus loves you very much, and He will never leave your side. Our world is broken by sin, but Jesus is stronger than any bad thing we may face. He promises to make all things new and to be with His people every step of the way!

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (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 < December 07, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

A Good Teacher (Tuesday)

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 2 Peter 1:20-21 

 

"Oo-ran-os," eighteen-year-old Bryson muttered, pacing around the kitchen with a thick book in his hands. "Oo-ran-os, theog-no-sia."

 

"Whoa!" exclaimed his younger sister Adele as she came into the kitchen. "What language is that? Swahili?"

"Oo-ran-os," Bryson repeated, pronouncing it slowly. "It's Greek for heaven."

"Mom's teaching you Greek this semester?" asked Adele. "She can't speak Greek!"

 

Bryson held up the book. "No, but she got me this book so I can gear up for college and seminary. Greek is tough, and I'll be studying it for years, but I figure I can get a little bit of a head start by working on it now."

 

"Sounds like complete gibberish," said Adele. She pointed to a funny-looking symbol. "What is that?"

 

"Lambda. It's the Greek letter L," Bryson explained. "The author of this book is a Greek professor, and he explains all the different letter symbols. He's a really good teacher--even though I can't actually see him or talk with him."

 

"I couldn't help but overhear," said Mom as she came into the room. "Hearing you talk about studying Greek reminds me of what it's like to study the Bible."

"Why is that?" asked Adele.

Mom leaned over the table and flipped to the end of Bryson's textbook. "What does this mean?" she asked him, pointing to a paragraph written in Greek.

 

Bryson looked at the page. "I don't have a clue," he said. "I haven't gotten anywhere near that far yet."

Mom nodded. "Studying Greek will take a long time, and studying the Bible takes a long time too--our entire lives, in fact. But like Bryson's Greek teacher, we also have a good teacher who helps us understand the Bible."

 

"Like a pastor or Sunday school teacher?" Adele asked.

 

"Even better," said Mom. "The Holy Spirit is our teacher. He's the one who prompted the authors of the various books of the Bible to write them, and as we read the Bible for ourselves and listen to pastors and teachers talk about it, He helps us understand what it means. Without the Holy Spirit helping me understand the Bible, well…it's all Greek to me!" Along with the kids, Mom laughed at her own joke.  -Dalan E. Decker

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Is it difficult for you to understand the Bible? Remember you have a teacher to help you. As you read and study God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will be there to guide you. Sometimes He may use a parent, pastor, or some other adult to help you understand something. Sometimes He may give you insight on a verse or passage as you spend time thinking about it on your own. He’s a good teacher who will help you understand the truth of His Word.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: John 14:26 (KJV)

The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things. (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 < December 08, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Training Time (Wednesday)

Read: 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 

 

As Sarah wound Santa-shaped lights around the Christmas tree, her stepsister, Laura, came in carrying a wreath.

 

"Oh," said Laura. "Aren't we using white lights?"

 

Smiling, Sarah shook her head. "My family used these every Christmas, and I'd like to share them with you since it's our first holiday together."

 

Laura touched the lights. "Well…my family doesn't decorate with Santa stuff. We believe Jesus should be the focus of Christmas."

 

"He still is," Sarah said, pointing to a manger scene nearby.

 

"I just feel uncomfortable," said Laura. "Maybe we could use white lights instead."

 

"Maybe," said Sarah, taking down the Santa lights. "Um, I'll be back."

 

Sarah walked to the garage, where her dad was organizing. She sat on a box and sighed.

 

"Decorating with Laura is impossible. All I did was put up Santa lights, and she freaked out."

 

Dad glanced at Sarah. "Laura and her mom haven't been Christians long. They might think it's wrong to include Santa in their Christmas decorations."

 

"That's silly! Santa's just a fun tradition. Laura needs to get over it."

 

Dad looked around and then slapped his forehead. "I'm out of tape! Can you drive out and buy some?"

 

Sarah laughed. "I can't drive!"

 

"There's nothing to it. Hop in!" Dad opened the truck door, and Sarah climbed into the driver's seat. Dad pointed down the steep driveway. "Careful on that ice. If you skid, you'll end up in the ditch."

 

Sarah swallowed hard. "I don't think I can do this. I haven't been to driver's ed!"

 

Dad leaned on the frame of the truck window. "You're a lot like Laura. You need training. If I urge you to drive before you're ready, you might hurt yourself. Laura needs training too--Bible training. Along with freedom from sin, Jesus gives us freedom to enjoy many things, but Laura doesn't fully understand that. If you push her to do something she believes is wrong, you'll cause her to sin--and you'll be sinning too. We need to be patient as she gains more experience and understanding as a Christian."

 

"I hadn't thought of that!" said Sarah. "I'll use white lights on the tree this year. I'll go ask Laura to help me put them up!" -Grace Geide

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you know someone who’s uncomfortable doing something that you think is harmless? Perhaps you disagree on how God feels about certain books, clothes, or TV shows. Base your choices on God’s Word, and enjoy the liberty Jesus gives you. But never push others to read, wear, or watch something when they believe it would be wrong. Be patient and trust God to help them understand the freedom they have in Jesus.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 8:1 (KJV)

Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. (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 < December 09, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Loved Like a Kitten (Thursday)

Read: John 3:16-17; Colossians 1:12-14 

 

SQUEEEEAK! SQUEEEEAK! Malachi looked in awe at the small cat carrier filled with three tiny kittens. "Mom, their meows sound like squeaks!"

 

Mom nodded as she reached into the carrier. "I know. They're so young. I'm glad we were able to take them on."

 

Malachi's mom worked as a professional kitten rescuer, fostering orphaned kittens needing care. Mom held up one of the kittens. His eyes were shut, and he let out a high-pitched squeak.

 

"They're so tiny!" Malachi exclaimed. "Can I hold one?"

 

"Not yet," said Mom. "It looks like all of the kittens have fleas. We'll need to treat that first."

 

"Eww!" said Malachi. "Fleas are gross."

 

Mom brought the kittens over to a sink. "Yes! Fleas hurt the kittens and are hard to get rid of. Can you pass me that flea comb on the table?"

 

Malachi obliged and crinkled his nose. "I'm sorry you've got fleas, little kittens!"

 

Mom carefully combed the kittens. Then she gave them a bath with special soap to get rid of any remaining fleas.

 

Even after the fleas were gone, the kittens needed a lot of care--including special feedings and medicine from the vet. But, as time went on, the kittens began to grow, becoming healthier, stronger, and cuter by the day.

 

Several weeks later, Malachi and Mom were playing with the kittens, who were happily exploring, climbing, and cuddling. "Isn't it amazing how healthy the kittens are now?" said Mom.

 

"Yeah," said Malachi. "They sure were in bad shape! They would have died if we hadn't rescued them."

 

Mom nodded. "That reminds me of us. These kittens were covered in painful fleas and were going to die if they didn't get help. Without Jesus, we were helpless too. We were sick with sin and doomed to die because of it. But Jesus stepped in and rescued us by dying for our sins on the cross and rising again."

 

"Wow," said Malachi. "Jesus must love us a lot."

 

Mom hugged Malachi. "He does. Even when our sin sickness was grosser than fleas, Jesus wasn't afraid to come to this earth and live with us so that we could be rescued." -Kandi Zeller

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you been rescued? Did you know that Jesus is the only one who can rescue us from sin and death? Jesus loves us so much He was willing to do the difficult work of saving us. If you haven’t already, trust Him today to be rescued! (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column.) If you’ve already put your trust in Him, rest in His great love and care for you.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Colossians 1:13 (KJV)

For he [God] has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. (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 < December 12, 2021>에서 다시 들으실 수 있습니다.**

 

Miriam Babysits Moses (Friday)

Read: Exodus 2:1-10

 

Luna, can you please take your brother for a while?" Mom handed Luna the squalling little boy. "He's been so cranky today, and I need to get some things done."

 

"But, Mom, I'm studying!" Luna said as she bounced Cason up and down to quiet him.

 

"You could use a break," said Mom. "Besides, isn't Josie coming over today? I thought maybe the two of you could take Cason for a walk."

 

"Josie had to babysit too. It seems like she has to take care of her little sister almost all the time." Luna shook her head. "You know, Mom, sometimes Josie's mom calls her Miriam. I wonder if she wishes she'd named her that instead of Josie."

 

Mom laughed. "You remember the Bible story about Moses, don't you? The king of Egypt was afraid the Israelite slaves would outnumber his people and take over. He gave an order for all Israelite boy babies to be killed. But Moses's mother trusted God to save Baby Moses."

 

Luna nodded. "I remember. She put him in a little basket in the river, didn't she?"

 

"Right," said Mom. "And do you remember who watched to see what would happen?"

 

"Yep. His sister Miriam," said Luna. "And when the king's daughter found Moses, Miriam got his own mother to take care of him." She grinned. "So Josie's mom calls her Miriam because Josie helps take care of her baby sister, just like Miriam helped her mother take care of Moses, right?"

 

"That's right," said Mom. "When Moses led God's people out of slavery in Egypt, I'm sure Miriam was really glad she'd had a part in taking care of him."

 

"Hey, who knows? Maybe Cason will grow up to be somebody famous too," said Luna.

 

Mom smiled. "Cason doesn't have to be famous for God to use him in an extraordinary way. Jesus does that with each one of us who knows Him as our Savior. Just as God freed His people from slavery in Egypt, He frees us from sin through Jesus, and He uses us to lead others to Him. By loving and caring for Cason, you can help prepare him for whatever God has in store for his life."

 

Luna looked at her baby brother and smiled. "Just like Miriam."

 

-Nancy I. Merical

 

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you have younger siblings or cousins you help take care of? Do you help care for small children in your church or neighborhood sometimes? Your love and care can make a big difference in their lives. Jesus can use your kind, caring attitude to draw them toward Him and prepare them for the work He has for them to do. He can use your care to help them do extraordinary things for Him.

 

TODAY'S KEY VERSE: Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)