Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids and families

Read: Psalm 19:7-11

THUD. “Oh no! A bird flew into the glass!” Torin turned to his dad. “I hope he’s okay!”

Dad and Torin went to the large glass window in the living room. “I don’t see him,” Dad said as they looked down at the ground. “I guess he must be okay—he probably flew away.”

“Well, I think we should put up a poster or something to warn the birds that there’s a window here,” said Torin. “They can’t see the clear glass.”

Dad smiled. “What should it say?”

“Dad! You know birds can’t read. It would just have to be something solid on the glass so they could see it was there.”

“Well, I don’t think Mom would like a sign like that on the front window,” Dad said.

Torin shrugged. “Probably not.”

“You know, Torin, we can be like that bird sometimes,” Dad said thoughtfully.

“We can?” asked Torin. “How?”

“There are dangerous things in life that we may not see either,” replied Dad. “There’s a difference though—while we’re unable to warn those birds about the window, God warns us about things that will hurt us. Do you know how He does that?”

“Well, my teacher once warned me not to run in the hallway, but I did anyway and ran into someone, and we both got hurt,” said Torin. “Is that how God warns us? Through our teachers?”

“That’s one way,” Dad replied. “He puts parents and teachers in our lives to teach us to be wise and do what’s right. But I was thinking of something bigger than running in the hallway.”

Torin thought about it. “Last week Pastor Grey talked about sin and gave a strong warning about that.”

“Right,” said Dad. “God warns us about sin in the Bible, and He puts people in our lives who help us understand those warnings. He warns us that if we don’t trust Jesus to save us from sin, we won’t have eternal life. The Bible also warns Christians about the consequences of sinful actions in our lives. He warns us because He loves us and doesn’t want us to get hurt.”

Torin nodded as a bird flew by the window. “Then we’d better pay attention!”

–Karen Locklear

How about you? Do you pay attention to God’s warnings? God warns us about the dangers of sin in the Bible, and He often uses people, such as parents, teachers, and pastors, to help us understand those warnings. Do you listen? Don’t ignore God’s warnings about sin. Trust Jesus to save you. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Then depend on Him to help you do what’s right.

Today's Key Verse: Key Verse: [God’s] teachings warn his servants, and good things come to those who obey them. Psalm 19:11 (ERV)

Today's Key Thought: Pay attention to God’s warnings

Read: Psalm 34:13-14; Hebrews 12:14-15

“I know, but that’s what Bianca said.” Kaylee switched the phone to her other ear. “She told me she was sick of hearing you whine all the time. I can’t help it if she says mean things about you.”

When the call ended, Kaylee went into the living room. “Who was that?” asked Dad. “Sounded like you were trying to stop World War III!”

Kaylee sighed. “It was Emmylou. She and Bianca are my best friends, but they hate each other! And I seem to always get caught in the middle of their arguments.”

“Why don’t they like each other?” asked Dad.

“I don’t know,” said Kaylee. “But they’re always saying mean things about each other.”

“Hmm,” said Dad. “Well, I don’t know what their problem is, but when you hear one of them say something unkind about the other, have you tried keeping it to yourself? Didn’t you just tell Emmylou that Bianca told you she was sick of her whining?”

Kaylee blushed. “Uh, yeah, I guess. But that’s what Bianca said.”

“Yes, but you’re contributing to the problem, Kaylee,” Dad told her. “Jesus tells us to be peacemakers. He brought us peace by making us right with God, and He wants us to help make peace between others. To do that, we need to act in a kind, loving way when others aren’t being kind to each other.”

“But I was just telling the truth!” said Kaylee. “Isn’t that what Jesus wants me to do?”

“While Jesus wants us to tell the truth, the way you’re doing it isn’t very kind or loving to either of your friends. When you tell one of the girls the mean things the other said about her, you’re making her feel bad about herself and angry at the other person. Instead, see if you can pick up on anything nice they say about each other and repeat those things.”

Kaylee thought it over. “I guess it’s worth a try.”

“At the very least, you can stop spreading the bad feelings around,” said Dad. “And as they see God’s love in you and your care in what you choose to tell them the other person has said—and in what you say yourself—they might start saying kind things more often!”

–Barbara J. Westberg

How about you? Do you repeat unkind things and stir up trouble? Today’s Bible reading says to seek and pursue peace. One way to do that is to keep any unkind words you hear someone say about another person to yourself. Instead, listen for kind things said about others and repeat those—and add some of your own! Let the peace and love you have in Jesus spread into your relationships through the words you choose to say.

Today's Key Verse: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Be a peacemaker

Read: Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:6-9

Zachary leaned back and sighed. He couldn’t concentrate on his homework. He’d been worrying about next week’s science test all day, and then he’d overheard someone tell a bad joke and couldn’t get it out of his head. When the worries and bad thoughts just wouldn’t stop, he finally decided to talk to Dad about it.

“I’m so sorry you’ve been going through that, buddy,” said Dad. “Sometimes bad things we see and hear or our own fears and worries can put bad thoughts in our minds that are hard to get rid of.”

Zachary sighed. “So what can I do about it?”

“Have you heard of the law of space?” asked Dad.

“Yeah,” said Zachary. “No two things can occupy the same space at the same time. We learned that in science class, but it’s also just common sense.” He pointed to a book. “Like that book. Nothing else can be in that space on the table unless the book is moved.”

“Right,” said Dad. “Well, it’s the same with your mind. When it’s filled with good things, there’s no space for heavy worries or bad thoughts.”

“But how do I fill it with good things?” Zachary asked.

“By staying focused on Jesus and remembering that His power is greater than the power of bad thoughts,” replied Dad. “As soon as you feel heavy with worry or a bad thought comes to your mind, ask Jesus to cleanse your mind and help you replace those thoughts with thoughts of things that are good and true—like how He freed you from sin and promises to take care of you in every situation. Give your thoughts over to Him.”

“Okay,” Zachary said. “But what if I still worry or can’t stop thinking about something bad?”

“Well, then it might be good to talk to me or another adult about it,” said Dad. “And you know what else can help? Looking for ways you can show God’s love to others. Focusing on others helps you think more about them and less about whatever it is that’s bothering you.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Zachary said. “I’m going to go pray and ask Jesus to help me rearrange the space in my mind.”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Do you have trouble controlling your thoughts? Are you constantly worrying about problems or thinking about something you saw or heard that you know doesn’t please God? Give your thoughts over to Jesus. He saved you from sin and gives you the power to replace bad thoughts with good ones. When you’re struggling with your thoughts, focus your mind on Him.

Today's Key Verse: We take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (CSB)

Today's Key Thought: Focus your mind on Jesus

Read: Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:35; 14:21-24

“Bye! Have a great time! Take lots of pictures!” Everyone was waving to Leanne and Logan as they left their wedding reception to go on their honeymoon.

Charis noticed Leanne’s little sister Bryn sitting off by herself, looking unhappy. “What’s the matter?” Charis asked the little girl.

Bryn sniffed. “I don’t want Leanne to go. I’m gonna miss her.”

“But she’ll be back soon!” Charis said. “Maybe you can make a ‘Welcome Home’ poster to hang on the door of her and Logan’s new apartment before she gets back. Won’t that be fun?”

On the way home, Charis told her parents about her conversation with the little girl.

Mom smiled. “Bryn doesn’t understand that Leanne’s place is with Logan now. But imagine how hard it would have been for Leanne to convince people she loved Logan if she hadn’t wanted to go with him today.”

Charis laughed. “I guess it would have been awkward if everyone had heard Leanne say ‘I do’ to Logan during the wedding ceremony but then not want to go with him on their honeymoon. They’d think she didn’t really love him after all!”

“So we could tell that Leanne loves Logan by what she said and by what she did, couldn’t we?” Dad said as he turned onto the highway. “Speech and actions are both important in showing that we love others.”

“And also in showing that we love Jesus,” added Mom.

“Yes,” said Dad. “He loves us so much that He willingly died on the cross to save us. But do you think others will believe us when we say we love Him but don’t show it through our actions?”

“You mean if we say we love Jesus but don’t do what He says or treat people the way He wants us to? Then we’re not acting like we love Him very much?” Charis asked.

“It seems that way to me,” Dad said. “After all, real love is more than words. It’s showing your love through your actions.”

“Right,” said Mom. “And the best way to show that we truly love Jesus is to obey Him by trusting Him to help us show His love to others.”

–Barbara J. Westberg

How about you? Do your actions show that you love Jesus? Or do you just say you love Him but not do what He says? The Bible says that those who love Jesus obey Him, and His greatest commands to us are to love Him and love others. Trust Him to fill your heart with His love so you can treat others with kindness, even if other people don’t like it or make fun of you for it. Let your actions show others how much you love Jesus.

Today's Key Verse: [Jesus said,] “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Show your love for Jesus

Read: Romans 3:10-12; 5:6-8

“Cade,” Mom said, coming into Cade’s room, “do you know where Ducky is?”

Finley, Cade’s little sister, was wailing in the hallway. “Cade took him. I know he did!”

“I don’t know where that dumb duck is, but I hope it’s gone forever!” Cade said. Ducky was a stuffed toy, and although the little duck was worn and ragged, Finley loved it dearly. She didn’t care that its fluff was all rubbed off and it was limp and faded. But Cade thought it was awful. He called it the Ugly Duckling.

“Well then, come out here and help look for Ducky,” Mom said, and the search was on. They looked everywhere—in the basement, under the furniture, even in the garbage can—but Ducky was nowhere to be found.

The next day, Mom had a talk with Cade. “Have you noticed that Finley is still very unhappy over losing Ducky?” she asked.

Cade rolled his eyes. “Why would she feel so bad about that thing? It looks like it’s made of old rags and sawdust. How can anybody love anything so ugly?”

Mom smiled. “Actually, Finley’s love for the Ugly Duckling, as you call him, reminds me of God’s love for us. He loves us even though we’re ugly ducklings, in a way—we’re all ugly sinners. For example, some of us tell lies.”

Mom looked intently at Cade, and his face turned red. “I—I lied,” he admitted. “I hid Ducky. He’s on the top shelf in my closet.”

“I saw him there when I was putting away laundry,” Mom said. “How do you think God feels about that?”

“I guess I never thought about how He feels—or thought of myself as an ugly duckling.” Cade hesitated.

“Do you think God loves me anyway? Like Finley loves the Ugly—I mean, like Finley loves Ducky?”

“He loves you much more than that,” Mom assured him. “He loves you so much that He sent Jesus to take the punishment for your sins. He wants to cleanse you and make you His child. Would you like to ask Him to do that?”

Cade nodded. “I don’t want to be an ugly duckling anymore.”

–Harry C. Trover

How about you? Do you realize that, in God’s sight, you’re like an ugly duckling? The Bible says everyone—including you—has sinned by doing wrong things, and sin is ugly. But God loves you in spite of your sin. He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. You don’t have to be an ugly duckling any longer. Trust Jesus as your Savior, and He will make you clean and new. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus died for sinners