Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

• Sting of Death

  Read: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 54-57 Landon ducked as a bee buzzed by, barely missing his head. He watched the bee settle on a flower before moving on. “That bee was so close to your head, he almost gave you a buzz cut!” Dad said with a smirk. Landon didn’t laugh. He had something else on his mind. “Dad, can I ask you something?” He hesitated, and Dad waited quietly. “Grandma died months ago, but I’m still sad about it,” Landon said at last. “Is that bad?” “No, it’s natural to feel sad.” Dad put an arm around Landon’s shoulders. “Death is not how it’s supposed to be—it came when sin entered the world. But for Christians, death is not the winner. Even though we’re sad, we can take comfort in knowing that we don’t have to be afraid of death because Jesus defeated it when He rose from the dead.” Dad thought for a moment. “Why were you afraid of that little bee that flew by a minute ago?” he asked. “Because I could have gotten stung!” said Landon. “That hurts!” “Yes, and death hurts too—like how we’re hurting after Grandma died,” said Dad. “But do you have any reason to fear that bee like Ellis would?” Landon shook his head. Ellis, his older brother, was severely allergic to bees. “Ellis could die if he was stung by a bee and didn’t go to the hospital right away,” Landon said. “It would still hurt if I was stung, but I wouldn’t have to worry about dying from it.” “Exactly,” said Dad. “You have no reason to fear bees the way Ellis does, and Christians have no reason to fear death the way the world does. It still hurts when death takes away someone we love, but it can’t take away the eternal life we have in Jesus.” “So it’s okay to feel sad because I miss Grandma?” Landon asked. “Of course,” said Dad. “Even though Grandma is with Jesus and we know we’ll see her again, it still hurts not to have her with us. But one day, Jesus will come back to get rid of sin and death for good, and those who trust in Him will be raised to life and never feel the sting of death ever again.” –A. J. Schut How about you? Do you feel sad because someone you love died? It’s okay to be sad because death stings when it takes away those we love. But even though death hurts, Christians have no reason to be afraid of it. Jesus has conquered death, and one day He will raise everyone who trusts in Him from the dead to live with Him forever! (To learn more, go to https://keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Today's Key Verse: Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? (NIV) 1 Corinthians 15:55 Today's Key Thought: Jesus has conquered death

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• The Ring

  Read: Proverbs 4:1-4; Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25 “Want to see the ring I got?” Lucy pulled a small box from her dresser drawer and showed her friend Skye the delicate opal ring inside. “It used to be my grandma’s.” “It’s so pretty!” said Skye. “Can I wear it for a while?” Lucy bit her lip. “My mom told me not to take it out or wear it until I’m older. She doesn’t want it getting lost.” “Oh, come on!” said Skye. “I won’t tell her. Please?” Lucy had a bad feeling about letting Skye wear the ring, but she was afraid of what Skye might think if she said no. So she handed over the box. Later, the girls went to the park across the street. They were twirling each other on the swings when Skye’s phone buzzed. “It’s my mom,” Skye said. “I gotta go.” As she took Lucy’s ring off and held it out, she stumbled. The ring fell to the pavement, bounced once, and disappeared down a drain. “My ring!” cried Lucy. The girls peered down the drain, but the ring was gone. When Lucy got home, she tearfully told her mom what had happened. “I had a bad feeling about not listening to you and letting Skye wear the ring, but I was afraid she wouldn’t like me anymore if I said no. Now it’s lost forever!” “I’m afraid you’re right,” said Mom. “I’ll check with the city sewer service, but it’s probably impossible to get it back.” She sighed. “You know, Lucy, that bad feeling you had reminds me of how the Holy Spirit often works in our lives. He guides us in doing what’s right and warns us against things that are wrong and hurtful, but we have a choice in whether we listen to Him or not. You’re going to be a teenager soon, and more and more people will try to get you to do things that are wrong—things that can have very serious and lasting consequences.” “So the Holy Spirit helps me say no to things that are wrong?” asked Lucy. Mom nodded. “He helps you live in a way that points to Jesus, who freed you from sin and made you a new person. Any time you sense Him warning you against something, listen to Him.” –Rosalie J. Currier How about you? Do you listen to the Holy Spirit when you sense Him telling you not to do something? Or do you go along with what others want you to do? It can be hard to say no, but doing wrong things to please others can have very serious consequences. When you sense the Holy Spirit telling you something is wrong, listen to Him. He gives you the strength to say no to sin and do what’s right instead. Today's Key Verse: If sinners try to lead you into sin, do not go with them. (NLV) Proverbs 1:10 Today's Key Thought: Listen to the Holy Spirit

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• The Power of Little Lights

  Read: John 1:4-5; 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16 Corey shivered as the lights went out in the restaurant where he and his family were eating. “What’s going on?” The room was completely dark and everyone around them mumbled nervously. He heard babies and little kids whimper and cry, probably scared of the dark like he had been when he was younger. “The storm must have knocked out the power,” Mom said. A moment later, light spilled across the table from her phone’s flashlight. “This isn’t much, but it will help until they get things figured out.” “If you had bought me a phone when I asked, I could help make it lighter in here too,” Corey’s sister said. Mom chuckled. “Right, Leah. I should have done that, huh?” Corey looked around him. Little by little, the room began to light up as people got out their phones. The voices started to sound less nervous, the little kids quieted down, and things didn’t seem quite so scary. The small lights worked together to brighten the room until the power came back on. The next morning Corey listened as his pastor talked at church. “You are lights,” the pastor said. “If you trust in Jesus, His light shines in you, and you can shine His light to others through what you say and do. The Bible calls Jesus the light of the world because He came to rescue us from the darkness of sin and death and give us eternal life. As we shine His light together for others to see, each little light makes a difference.” Leah nudged her brother. “Like the phones yesterday,” she whispered. Corey nodded, remembering how the restaurant had brightened as the little lights came on one by one and everyone calmed down. “You might not feel powerful or capable of doing a lot,” the pastor continued. “But Jesus has given each of us the Holy Spirit so we can shine His light to those around us. The world is a dark place, and people need Jesus. When we do what we can to share His love and hope with others—even just through small things—the Holy Spirit works through us to bring more people out of darkness and into Jesus’s light.” Corey smiled. He knew just what shining a little light could do. –Emily Acker How about you? Has the darkness of the world ever scared you? Jesus came to be the light of life and hope in a world full of sin and death. When we trust in Him, our wrongs are forgiven and we are given life and a relationship with God that lasts forever. He also gives us the Holy Spirit so we can shine the light of His love and hope to others. How can you be a light to someone in your life today? Today's Key Verse: Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV) Matthew 5:16 Today's Key Thought: Small lights make a big difference

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• Singing Again

  Read: Psalm 96:1-6; Isaiah 41:9-13 Brook loved to sing. Whenever there was an opportunity to sing at church, she took it. It felt good to be on the stage singing in front of everyone, and she loved singing for God too. She felt close to Him when she sang songs in church. One day when she was up on stage singing a solo, Brook messed up on some of the words. She felt her face flush and was tempted to step away from the microphone, but she somehow carried on. “You did great,” her family said when she finished. Brook shook her head, wanting to run away and hide. A few days later, her mom came into her bedroom. “They’re looking for volunteers to sing next Sunday,” she said. “I didn’t see your name on the list yet.” “I don’t want to sing again.” Brook pulled her knees up to her chest. Her mom’s brows rose. “You’re not going to sing again?” “I messed up last time. It was embarrassing,” Brook said. Mom touched her hand. “It wasn’t so bad, and even if it had been, you can’t give up just because of that. You love singing up there.” “But I let everyone down,” Brook said. Mom shook her head. “You didn’t let anyone down.” “But I always want to do my best for everyone in the audience and especially for God.” “And you did,” Mom said. “Everyone makes mistakes, honey. God knows that, we know that, and no one is disappointed in you. It’s not important that you messed up the lyrics, and it wouldn’t matter if you did again—all that matters is that you want to sing for God. You want to, right?” Brook nodded. “I love singing for Him.” “I know. God has given you that gift so you can use it to worship Him and point others to Jesus and what He did to save us. So, you just need to do it again.” Brook sighed. “It will be scary.” “God can help you do scary things.” Mom squeezed her hand. “And we’ll be rooting for you.” Brook did love singing and would miss it if she quit. “Okay,” she finally agreed. ”I’ll ask God to help me be brave and try again.” –Bethany Acker How about you? Have you ever wanted to quit something because you messed up? Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t let them stop you from doing something you believe God wants you to do—mistakes often teach us what we need to learn to do better. When you mess up, remember that Jesus is always with those who trust in Him and promises to help us. Trust Him to help you be brave and try again so you can use your gift for Him. Today's Key Verse: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV) Joshua 1:9 Today's Key Thought: Be brave and try again

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• A New Name

  Read: Romans 8:14-17; 9:25-26 Sophie sat on the kitchen floor petting her new golden retriever puppy while Mom snapped the stems off green beans. “Mom, you’ll never guess what happened today,” Sophie said. “Mira told our class she’s a real-life princess.” Mom let out a little chuckle, but when she looked at her daughter’s face she could tell Sophie was serious. “Don’t you think that’s a little—foolish?” asked Sophie. “I mean, we’re not little kids anymore.” “Oh, honey, I’m sure she was just kidding,” said Mom. “No, she means it!” Sophie insisted. “She said that since God is her Father that makes her a real princess. She was calling herself Princess Mira!” “Hmm,” said Mom. “You know, it may not be as foolish as it sounds.” Sophie raised her eyebrows and tilted her head down. She couldn’t believe what her mom was saying. “It reminds me of Goldie,” added Mom. “Some people might not accept Goldie as her real name.” “What?” asked Sophie in disbelief. She looked down at the sleeping puppy curled up in her lap and stroked her soft golden fur. “But that’s what we named her!” “Well, when Goldie was rescued by the animal shelter, what did they call her?” asked Mom. Sophie thought a moment. “Molly,” she answered. “Right. Just like Molly’s name changed when we adopted her, our name also changes when we’re adopted into God’s family. In the Bible, God says, ‘Those who were not my people, I will now call my people.’ And do you know what He says next?” Sophie shook her head. “No, what?” “The very next verse says that ‘they will be called children of the living God,’” said Mom. “I think Mira has figured something out—something really special. When she trusted Jesus as her Savior, she was adopted into God’s family. Just like Molly was adopted into ours and—” “And became Goldie!” Sophie gently removed the sleeping dog from her lap. “Well, you and Goldie will have to excuse me—this princess has homework to finish!” –Nichole Gatten How about you? Have you been adopted by God? Have you become part of His family by trusting in Jesus? If so, you are now one of His children. Your heavenly Father has given you a new name and a new life! If you’re not yet one of God’s children, you can be adopted through Jesus, who sacrificed His life to save you and welcome you into His family. Trust in Him today! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today's Key Verse: You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NLT) Today's Key Thought: Embrace your new name

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