Off with the Old, On with the New

Theme: Put on a godly way of life, take off the bad way of life

Scripture: Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT

Do you like to wear new clothes? When do you get new clothes? (Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Back to School) I like to wear new clothes. Did you know that Christians are like people who put on new clothes? When we become Christians, God makes us into new people. Before we can put on new clothes we have to take off our old and dirty clothes, right? To become new people in Christ, we must take off our old bad ways and put on God’s ways. Let me give you an example: God tells us to control our anger and don’t desire bad things. God also commands us not to say bad things about people, we should not say bad words, and we should not tell lies. Those are some of the old ways that we must get rid of. After we have taken off our old ways, God can clothe us with His ways. We can love one another and be kind, polite, obedient, and helpful. We can become more like Jesus every day.

Source : sermons4kids

Activity For The Day - CROSSWORD

Power from Above

Theme:
God is our POWER source.

Scripture: God is my strength and power; and he maketh my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33

What do I have with me this morning(pointing to the blowdryer)? Let the children respond. What is the purpose of a blowdryer? Wait for answers. Will this blowdryer work if I don't plug it in? No, the blowdryer has to be plugged into a power source to work. Then plug the blowdyer into an outlet to show that it works and even blow the air on the kids' heads. We even have to pay for electricity or the power to use this blowdryer.

This blowdryer represnts us as Christians. If we don't give the blowdryer power, it can't be used. The same is true with us. God is our power source...we need to plug ourselves into God so we can be used for his purposes. The Bible tells us in 2 Samuel 22:33 (read scripture). To use God's power is free of charge. We stay connected to him after we accept him into our hearts, through continuous prayer. Then God can use us for his purposes...to teach, sing, play an instrument, encourage, etc..Prayer: Dear God, thank you for promising to be our strength and power source. Help us to use your power for your purposes. Amen.

Activity for Today: L O V E

Submitted by Amanda Belue

Riding a Bike

Scripture: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans3:23
I brought my bicycle this morning. How many of you boys and girls like to ride a bicycle? Can all of you ride a bike? I just love to ride my bike. The trail out at Veterans Lake is a great place to ride.There are lots to look at, and fresh air to breathe.Riding a bike is a lot of fun. One thing I have found out though is that if I quit peddling, I will come to a stop and fall off. Now, that is the way with life. We can go to church each Sunday. And then Summer comes.

We say, "This Sunday I'll just go to the lake." Very soon we forget about God. We get into the habit of not going to church. We don't read our bible. We just fall off. The bible in Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned and have fallen short of God. That means we all stop peddling and fall off a one time or another. What do we have to do? Get up. Start peddling again. Get with it. Yes, we need to tell God we're sorry and ask him to help us. God is always ready to give us another chance and help us go again. I thank God that He is just that way! Prayer: Dear God, along the way, I just quit peddling. Help me to get up and get started again. Thank you, Lord God. Amen.

Activity for Today: Psalms 23

Submitted by Jack Melton

Learning to control our anger

Reading : Ephesians 4:26

There was a boy that was having a terrible time with anger. Every time he got angry, he said ugly things, "I hate you" "You're ugly" "I don't want to be your friend any more". These were things that were said in anger and the boy often regretted saying them later.

One day his father took him out to the fence out back and gave him a bag of nails and a hammer. He told the boy that every time he lost his temper, he should come to the fence and pound in nails until he was no longer angry.

The first week there were a bunch of nails (hold up block of wood full of nails, and comment - "He must have had a very bad week"). But the next week, there were not quite so many, and after a while, hardly any at all (hold up a block with only 1-2 nails.)

So he went to his father and showed him the fence and told him that he hadn't had to pound in a nail for one whole month. His dad told him that was wonderful, now what he needed to do is that every day the boy could keep his temper, he should go and pull the nails out of the fence until they were gone.

It took awile, but soon all the nails were pulled (hold up a block of wood that has alot of nail holes), and the boy went to his father again to show him the fence.His father told him he was proud that the boy had learned to keep control of his temper, "but look at all the scars that the nails left in the wood. Every time you lost your temper, you left scars like that in the people that you love. These scars are not healed easily."

Resource : Sermons4kids

Activity For The Day - WORD SEARCH

The Apple and The Worm

Reading : Matthew 4:1-11

An apple tree grew in an orchard. The apples on the tree were still small, but they dreamed of the day that they would grow to maturity and become tasty. Then they would be pleasing to children help them to grow healthy and strong. One day a small worm appeared on the tree and began to speak to the apples about how boring it was to hang on a tree all day with nothing to do. "Look at the birds," said the worm. "They can fly everywhere. There is so much to see and experience. " One of the apples became interested in what the worm had to say. "I wish I could learn to fly!" the apple said. "What is necessary for me to learn to fly?" "It is very simple!" said the worm. "I will teach you, but I am afraid that the birds will eat me. Let us be friends and let me live inside of you and then I will teach you to fly!"The apple agreed and the worm began to live inside of him. Every day they talked about learning to fly. The worm asked the apple, "Who had told you that you could not fly? And who told you that you should give the vitamins that you have worked so hard to produce to help others?"

"God told me that was why he created me," answered the apple. "That is very unfair," replied the worm. "Well then, when will I fly?" asked an apple. "Wait, it's not time yet," answered the worm while continuing to eat away at the inside of the apple. Finally, one day the worm said, "It's time now! You are fully grown and there is no reason why you should not fly. The only thing that prevents you from flying is this apple tree! The apple tree is jealous because its roots grow so deeply in the ground that it cannot fly, so it does not want you to fly either. You must break loose from the apple tree and then you will be able to fly!"

A gust of wind came and the tree was shaken. The apple turned loose from the tree."I'm flying, I'm flying," the apple happily cried. But the flight soon ended as the apple crashed to the ground. After a short time, the apple began to spoil. The next day some children came to the garden and began to collect apples, but the apple that wanted to fly was thrown into the trash. "Who would want a worm-eaten, spoiled apple?" the children asked.

In the same way satan tries to deceive us and tries to take us away from the purpose and plan God has for our lives. Never listen to satan when he lies to you and says why you can’t do something that others are doing. Pray at that time and ask God to keep you safe and in his plan.

Activity For The Day - CROSS WORD

Masters Vineyard

Reading : Matthew 20:13-15, Psalm 103:10-11

Jesus told a story about a landowner who was hiring men to work in his vineyard. He hired some of them early in the morning, some in the middle of the day, and some he hired just before quitting time. When it was time to pay the workers, he paid them all the same. The workers who were hired early in the morning began to complain, "Hey! That's not fair! You paid the workers who worked only one hour the same as those of us who worked all day." The owner of the vineyard said, "I am not being unfair to you. I paid you what I agreed to pay you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Are you jealous because I am generous?"

What is the point of the story that Jesus told? The point is that there are some people who trust in Jesus and serve him all the days of their life. What is their reward? Their reward is eternal life in heaven. There are other people who live most of their life in sin. They don't serve the Lord at all. Then, just before their life comes to an end, they put their trust in Jesus and accept him as their Savior. What is their reward? Their reward is the same as one who has served the Lord all their life -- eternal life in heaven.

Is that fair? We might not think it's fair, but if we got what was fair, none of us would go to heaven. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." I don't know about you, but I'm glad that God doesn't give me what is fair, but gives me his love and grace, in spite of what I deserve!

Activity For The Day - Activity One & Activity Two

Resource : Sermons4kids

Ten Bridesmaids

Reading : Matthew 24:42

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil in their vessels with their lamps.

As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him." Then all those bridesmaids got up, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; for our lamps are going out." But the wise replied, "No! There will not be enough for us and you: you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves."

And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came; and those that were ready went with him to the wedding: and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us." But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you". Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour (that the Son of man cometh). [NRSV]

How many of the bridesmaids knew the bridegroom was coming? All of them. Then why weren't they all ready? They got sleepy and weren't prepared for the long wait. The foolish bridesmaids didn't bring enough oil. Jesus says we must be like the wise bridesmaids that were prepared. We must be ready for the wait. What are we waiting for? For Christ to come. The bridesmaids knew what they were supposed to do - to participate in the wedding and have themselves and their lamps ready when the bridegroom came. We also know what we are supposed to do. We are to have ourselves ready and our tasks ready when Christ comes.

Source : Copyright: Sunday School Sources at eBibleTeacher.com © 2000-2006

Activity For The Day - FIND THE WORDS

Pentecost

Text: Acts 2:1-8; Leviticus 23:15,16
Summary: The Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. The disciples were able to preach in different languages to the people in Jerusalem and many people were saved.

Today I want to tell you what happened ten days later after Jesus ascended to heaven that is almost forty days after he rose from the dead . Something wonderful happened on Pentecost, the Jewish feast of harvest. The word Pentecost means "fiftieth day" because this feast was held fifty days after Passover. The feast was at the time when the first ears of the corn crop were gathered and the people thanked God for providing for their needs. (Leviticus 23:15,16) Listen to what happened on this particular day.

Read Acts 2:1-8] When I imagine a rushing mighty wind I think of the noise made by a tornado, which is loud and makes a roaring sound. There was no wind blowing in the place where the disciples were, but something was making a loud noise. It was the Holy Spirit descending, or coming down, from heaven to be with the believers. It happened just like Jesus said it would. Jesus went up to heaven and the Holy Spirit came down.

In our story today God was using the Holy Spirit to allow the disciples to speak different languages to bring people together. These people in Jerusalem had come from many different places for the feast and they spoke different languages. They were amazed when they heard the disciples speak to them in their own language! For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.
1 Cor 14:2

Then Peter stood up to preach his first sermon. When he was through about 3000 people were saved! (every preacher's dream) Wherever the Holy Spirit is at work people will come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to teach you about Jesus and give honor and glory to Him (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit comes to live inside you when you ask Jesus into your heart. He marks you as God's child and will never leave you. We can be thankful that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit after he went up to heaven.

Activity For Today: Bible Quiz
©2000 by Jim Kerlin.

God Provides For All

Reading For The Day : Matthew 6:25-26

In this lesson, Jesus compares God's children to birds and flowers. Do birds work for a living? No - they find food rather than buying it like we do. Who provided for the food that the birds find? God did. Could birds get food if not for Him? No. If God makes sure that the birds have food to eat, will He take care of us, too? Yes. We are much more important than birds. God will always provide for His children, because He loves us.

Jesus also talks about another need we have - clothing. He says that if God made the flowers of the field so beautiful that even Solomon couldn't compare to them, why would he ignore our need to be clothed. He won't. God provides for the flowers and He provides for us.

So my dear ones always remember that no matter what comes in your lives, God is always watching over you and he will provide for all your needs. All you need to do is ask God through prayer. For it says in Matthew 7:7-8 that "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Resources : ebibleteacher

Activity For The Day - TRUST IN GOD

Welcome

"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:40-42 (NIV)

Good morning .... Have you ever seen one of these? Where have you seen something like this? Usually we'd see a mat like this outside the door to our home, wouldn't we? A mat such as this usually has two purposes. Do you know what those two purposes are?

Well, for one thing, it is a friendly reminder for people to wipe their shoes off so that they won't track dirt or mud into your home. And second, it is placed outside your door as a sign to let people know that they are welcome in your home.

Welcome -- what does the word "welcome" mean? It means to receive someone in a warm and friendly way. Are people always welcome in our homes? Do we welcome people into our home if their skin is a different color from ours? Do we welcome people into our homes if they don't have as much money as we do?

How about in our church? Do you think that we make everyone feel welcome in our church? Do we speak to those people who are visiting our church that we do not know? If someone comes to our church and they are not dressed the way we are dressed, do we make sure that they are made to feel welcome?

Jesus said, "He who receives you receives me." If we turn that around, we will understand that if we do not welcome others into our homes and into our churches, it is the same as if we are refusing to welcome Jesus. We wouldn't do that, would we?

Well, let's put the welcome mat out -- and let's be sure that we mean it!

Dear Father, help us to remember that when we refuse to welcome others to our homes and to our church, it is the same as refusing to welcome you. Amen.

Activity For Today: W E L C O M E

Source: Sermonsforkids.com

Believing

Passage For Reading John 3:17-18

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.

One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by.

The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body was in the shape of a cross.

Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.

Remember kids God will never harm you but will always save you, he has come into this world to save us and not condemn us. So, please tell to all your class mates that God is not harmful nor a destroyer of your soul but a source of your salvation, believe Jesus Christ as a saviour and thou shall be saved.

John 3:17-18

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Activity For Today : John 3:16

The Farmer's Donkey

Reading : Galatians 5:1

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less

Activity For The Day - CROSSWORD PUZZLE

THE DUCK AND THE DEVIL

Reading : 1 John 1:8-10

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.

"Thought for the day and every day thereafter?"

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness)...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Activity For The Day - Confessing Sins

THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS

Prov 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
THE TORTOISE, you know, carries his house on his back. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave home. After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to that wedding. When he saw how gaily the birds flew about and how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran nimbly by, always eager to see everything there was to be seen, the Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He wanted to see the world too, and there he was with a house on his back and little short legs that could hardly drag him along.

One day he met a pair of Ducks and told them all his trouble.

"We can help you to see the world," said the Ducks. "Take hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up in the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or you will be sorry."

The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick firmly with his teeth, the two Ducks took hold of it one at each end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds.

Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at the strange sight and cried:

"This must surely be the King of Tortoises!"
"Why certainly—" began the Tortoise.

But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he lost his hold on the stick, and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.

Prov 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Matt 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Activity for Today : People & Places

100 Points

Portion For Reading Titus 2:11-14

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven.You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."

"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."

"Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point." "One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."

"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "TWO POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"

"That's right!, Now you have got it!" said St. Peter.

What a nice expression - "the grace of God." It prompts pleasant and peaceful thoughts about our Father, the great Creator But Paul's use of "the grace of God" phrase in Titus 2:11 appears to be with a specific purpose There the expression refers to the Savior of mankind. That four word phrase "the grace of God is a synonym for Jesus: "For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men." (RSV) How beautiful! The sequence of phrases puts in good perspective the reality of His manifestation. He is the gift of God's grace by which all men may be saved. How wonderful to know it! "The grace of God has appeared!"

Activity for Today: Fruit Of Spirit

Go Fly a Kite

Portion For Reading Matt 6:19-20
Yesterday was a beautiful day! The temperature cooled down (just a little) and the wind was blowing steady but not too strong - the perfect conditions for God to teach me a very important lesson.

For the past three weeks my two youngest girls have been asking (begging) to fly a kite. They found an old kite in the back of a closet and have been taking turns running around the house and even occasionally "flying" in front of a big fan. They continued to ask but the conditions were never quite right. You understand, don't you? First we didn't have enough string; then it was either too hot or not enough wind...or dad was too busy doing more "important" things.
Well, for over an hour yesterday afternoon I finally stepped into God's classroom and I watched two little girls stare in awe as their kites sailed high and sometimes dove back toward the ground. Our six year old said that kite flying was even more fun than she imagined.
Matthew 6:19-20

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

One day we will close our eyes to this life and, if we have believed in Jesus, we will open them in the true presence of God. If we're allowed to look back, we will all be saddened to see how much we wasted on things with no eternal value. As I walked in that open field and saw the pure and unrestrained joy of two little girls, I was struck with a new understanding of what really lasts.

The physical will certainly pass away, and things like worry and anxiety about the future will have no place in Heaven. The only thing with eternal value is that which brings glory and honor to God; and my lesson for the day was that God was more glorified in that laughing, breeze-filled hour than in many of my quiet times of study. Our hour of kite flying had eternal value!
I never intend to diminish the importance of good quality study and prayer. But I believe we need to rethink and expand our idea of what glorifies God. Yesterday afternoon I believe God was glorified simply because I enjoyed the life He's given and praised Him for every precious moment.

If today you realize your priorities have become too focused on the temporary things of the world, or even if your strongest desire is to glorify God but you struggle with what this really means, then I suggest you continue to seek Him through times of quiet. But even more strongly I urge you to continually praise and make the time to go fly a kite.

Activity For Today: Creation

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

Narrow and the Wide Gates

Portion For Reading Matt 7:13-14
What Jesus tells us here is so important. God gave us a choice. We can either be good or we can be bad. We can be right or we can be wrong. God isn't going to make us do anything. That choice is up to each of us. God tells us the right way but if we chose not to do it, that is our choice to make.

Jesus tells us that in our life here on earth we must use the narrow road for our life in heaven. It is small and narrow and hard to find but Jesus asks us to look very hard for that gate. The wide road is the road that leads to bad things, away from Jesus. He told us that is the road that many choose. I guess that might be because it's easier.

Wouldn't it be easier disobey your parents?
Wouldn't it be easier to do as you wanted?
Wouldn't it be easier to not be nice to people you don't like?
It might be easier but is it better?

Jesus tells us no, it isn't better. Jesus tells us that we must do those things that are not easy, but that are right. It isn't easy to be nice all the time, but it's the right thing to do. It isn't easy to obey your parents all the time but it is the right thing to do. Are you going to follow the narrow road with the small gate? That would make Jesus very happy.

Source: Ainglkiss@aol.com

Activity For The Day - FIND YOUR WAY

The Wise and Foolish Builders

Portion For Reading Matt 7:24-27

Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Kids i hope you all understood what Jesus wanted to tell you, if you have not understood here is what he meant, that if you obey the Bible and its teachings which is the word of Christ, you are like the man who builds his house upon the Rock and if you disobeys the Truth and the teachings of the bible then you are like the foolish man who builds his house upon the sand and when the rain came down it fell with a great crash.

So build your your houses on the Rock the Christ.

Activity for Today : The Wise & Foolish Builders

By SS

THE PLANE TREE

Gal 5:22-23
TWO TRAVELLERS, walking in the noonday sun, sought the shade of a widespreading tree to rest. As they lay looking up among the pleasant leaves, they saw that it was a Plane Tree.
"How useless is the Plane!" said one of them. "It bears no fruit whatever, and only serves to litter the ground with leaves."

Do You Bear Fruit?
Matt 7-15-23
But their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Same way the Tree is our hearts, and the fruit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which represents our characterstics. If yor are a Good child you will bear good fruits, and if not, you will be plane tree and without fruit or even bear bad fruit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. But you are a Good Tree planthed beside the streams of water, and who beard fruit all through the seasons.

Activity For Today : John 15 And 16

Source: SS

Pray And Then Work

Reading : Psalm 141:1-3

A mammoth 747 jetliner, while flying over the Pacific, sustained a gigantic tear on its side, ejecting nine passengers to their deaths, and threatening the lives of all. When the pilot, Captain David Cronin, was interviewed, having brought the craft back safely to Honolulu, he was asked,

"What did you do when the place ripped open? How did you cope?" Captain Cronin replied, "I prayed, then went to work."

My brethren, this is an inspired plan for each of us to follow:

"Pray, and then go to work."

Same way we need to pray before we leave our house and go for our classes and tutions and evening activities, so that God can save us from all the calamities that can come on the way, because no accidents and calamaties comes by prior appointments, so prayer is the answer that can shield us from all.

"Pray, and then go to work."

Activity for Today: Week End Special

Source:Thomas S. Monson

Test of Faith

Portion For Reading Col 3:1-2

This is a true story told by one of the first missionaries to enter Russia:
In Russia before the Berlin Wall came down and freedom to worship freely was against the law, many Christians were forced to get together in secret to worship the Lord.

One group of Christians were gathered together in a simple house studying the Bible when suddenly the door was thrown open violently and three Russian soldiers burst in with rifles. One of the soldiers bellowed out that anyone who wasn't a Christian could leave immediately but anyone who had come to worship God should stay.

After a moment of silence many of the people filed out of the house leaving a few people behind. One of the soldiers closed the door behind them and locked it, then the soldiers all put down the rifles and explained to the remaining few that they also were Christians but they only wanted to worship with true believers. Could you pass such a test of your faith?

Isn't it too hard for all of us to be in the same condition, we might choose to deny christ rather getting killed by some one. But wait kids there is something more to this, Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col 3:1-2) So that at any cost you may not deny christ who is the King and Saviour of our lives.

Activity for Today: Blessed Is He

1 Dollar and 100 Dollar Bill

Portion For Reading Matt 6:33
One day, a one dollar bill and a hundred dollar bill got folded together and began talking about their life experiences. The hundred dollar bill began to brag: "I've had a great life," he said.

"I've been to all the big hotels, Donald Trump himself used me at his casino, I've been in the wallets of Fortune 500 board members, I've flown from one end of the country to the other! I've even been in the wallet of two Presidents of the United States, and once when Princess Diana visited the US, she used me to buy a packet of gum."

In awe, the dollar humbly responded, "Gee, nothing like that has ever happened to me, ...but I have been to church a lot!"


Same way many times some childres boast about Spider Man, Super Man or Harry Porter and many things in this world, and even about there Dad who might be a CEO of a Company or may be they stay in big Mansions or more about there dresses and offcourse all about how they look.

But by the God's Grace do not worry like the One Dollar bill, who answers wisely, likewise we may also answer by thanking God, and say ...i may not have the world, but i have Jesus Christ in my heart, who has cleansed my sins and made me Holy and still forgives all my sin, and Jesus has promised through his word that if i promise to seek his kingdom and righteousness, then he will add all that i needed in my life. So, lets boast about Jesus Christ!

Activity For Today: Matthew Chapter One

Source: inspirationalstories.com

Footprints

Portion For Reading Heb 13:5-6

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Activity for Today: ALL SINS FORGIVEN

Daniel in the Lion's Den

Portion for Reading Daniel 6

Daniel,as a young man and a faithful Hebrew, was taken captive to Babylon. During the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar Daniel interpreted a dream for the king with the help of God! As a reward the King gave Daniel a place of honor as ruler over the kingdom for he saw that Daniel was very wise. After many years, Babylon was captured by the Medes and Persians and King Darius was the ruler. He liked and trusted Daniel and made him his chief ruler! This made the others in high places very jealous of Daniel and they plotted against him. They knew that Daniel prayed 3 times a day for he would open his window toward Jerusalem and prayed to God.

These nobles thought that in Daniels's prayers they could find a chance to do him harm and even cause him to be put to death. Therefore, they tricked King Darius into signing a law that no one could pray to any god for thirty days and if they did, they would be punished by putting them in a den of lions! Daniel continued to pray three times a day with his window opened. He did not try to hide and pray in secret! The nobles saw him praying and went before the king telling him about Daniel and he would have to put Daniel in the lion's den! The king was very displeased with himself and tried to save Daniel but he was not successful for it was a law that no one pray to any god.

They put Daniel in the lion's den!

During the night King Darius did not sleep but prayed to Daniel's God. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"

Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had God. Then the King ordered the nobles who had planned to put Daniel in the lion's den were thrown into the same den of lions. They were torn to pieces for their mouths were now opened!

Same way God sends his angels and shuts the mouths of the lion's the Devil, who wants to devour you because you pray to God daily three times which the Devil do not like. So pray daily to God and also as Daniel said to the king let it be your testimony "they have not hurt me, because i was found innocent in his sight. Nor have i done any wrong before you, O King."

Activity for Today: Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Source:kidsnewspress.com

THE WOLF AND THE KID

John 10:14-15
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

THERE was once a little Kid whose growing horns made him think he was a grown-up Billy Goat and able to take care of himself. So one evening when the flock started home from the pasture and his mother called, the Kid paid no heed and kept right on nibbling the tender grass. A little later when he lifted his head, the flock was gone.

He was all alone. The sun was sinking. Long shadows came creeping over the ground. A chilly little wind came creeping with them making scary noises in the grass. The Kid shivered as he thought of the terrible Wolf. Then he started wildly over the field, bleating for his mother. But not half-way, near a clump of trees, there was the Wolf!

The Kid knew there was little hope for him.

"Please, Mr. Wolf," he said trembling," I know you are going to eat me. But first please pipe me a tune, for I want to dance and be merry as long as I can."

The Wolf liked the idea of a little music before eating, so he struck up a merry tune and the Kid leaped and frisked gaily.

Meanwhile, the flock was moving slowly homeward. In the still evening air the Wolf's piping carried far. The Shepherd Dogs pricked up their ears. They recognized the song the Wolf sings before a feast, and in a moment they were racing back to the pasture. The Wolf's song ended suddenly, and as he ran, with the Dogs at his heels.

Guys we are also like this little kid who wants to enjoy more the world, but it is very dangerous right now as you dont know the terrors of the Wolf, the wolf is like the Devil who wants to devour you, and if ever you come across a situation when you are entagled with sin and fallen short of glory of God, pray and make and alarm to God, the wolf who naturuly also makes a noise before devouring , the Shepard's Dogs will here that and come to rescue for they are the angels given by the heavenly Shepherd for your rescue and deliverence.

John 10:14-15
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Activity for Today : Jigsaw Puzzles
Source: Calvarywilliamsport.com

THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG

Prov 15:27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.

There was once a Countryman who possessed the most wonderful Goose you can imagine, for every day when he visited the nest, the Goose had laid a beautiful, glittering, golden egg.

The Countryman took the eggs to market and soon began to get rich. But it was not long before he grew impatient with the Goose because she gave him only a single golden egg a day. He was not getting rich fast enough.

Then one day, after he had finished counting his money, the idea came to him that he could get all the golden eggs at once by killing the Goose and cutting it open. But when the deed was done, not a single golden egg did he find, and his precious Goose was dead.

Kids same way the world decieves us by telling that to earn more money and wealth of the world is the unlitimate joy, but when we desire to become more rich often we choose short cuts that leads us to wrong paths, like some of our elders who are violent and drug addict and who deals with drugs who things to become rich in no time, but infact looses everything in life. So, do not be greedy and ruin your life and your family, But seek first his kingdom and his

righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt 6:33)

Prov 15:27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.

Activity for Today:H O U S E–M A Z E

Source:Lisa Ripperton

Blind Faith

Reading : Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

God wants us to depend on Him by faith just as a blind person depends on his guide dog.
The prophet Isaiah foretold of a day when God would lead his people by sending Jesus as a new and living way to follow Him. Jesus is our guide. Many times we are like a blind person: we don't know what to do to please God. We could try to please Him on our own and think of neat things to do. But God wants us to trust Him to lead us. The Bible speaks of walking by faith, that is, by trusting God's Holy Spirit to lead us. We can pray to God expecting Him to answer us. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 it says that “For we walk by faith, not by sight”.

What if we behaved as if we actually were blind spiritually? If we were utterly helpless to know what to do without praying about it first, then we would develop a deep, dependent relationship with Jesus. God wants us to be close to Him. That is why Jesus gives every Christian the power of the Holy Spirit within us. So the next time you see a blind person, remember that God wants us to depend on Him by faith just as the blind person trusts the dog to lead him.

Resource : childrensermons
Copyright © 1997-2007 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

Activity For The Day - SONGS OF PRAISE

Grace of God

Portion For Reading Rom 6:15-18

The word favor is the nearest biblical synonym for the word grace. How do we recieve grace of God, but first what is Grace Of God?

Suppose you are very weak in Math and in your final exam you have done very badly, over all you only need 3 marks to pass. Now your teacher sees you and has mercy on you, and she trust that next time you will do well, so she adds 3 marks into your Math paper in order that you can pass.

So, the adding of the extra marks is known as Grace Marks.

Similarly, when God sees man has sinned against him, and man was on the way eternal destruction, God had mercy on us and gave Grace in order to do right things and live sin free life, that is called Righteousness.

Rom 6:17-18But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Activity for Today: Five Steps to Knowing God’s Word

By SS

Flesh and Spirit in Conflict

Galatians 6: 16-18
Jacob and Esau were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. These two sons represent the conflict of the flesh and the Spirit. Esau represents that which is natural, whereas Jacob represents that which is spiritual.

The conflict between the natural and the spiritual is present in every believer's heart. It is the conflict of the two natures.

The Scriptures say, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:17).

However, believers are encouraged to realize that, because of the greatness of God, the Spirit will ultimately triumph and the flesh will be brought into subjection.

In Esau we see the profane nature that despises the riches and promises of God. In Jacob we see the desire for that which is godly, even though he used fleshly (carnal) methods to attain the benefit of the promises.

Jacob's life was one of conflict. In him we see the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. This is the key to understanding his life. Jacob's life strikingly exhibits the power of the old nature, but it also exhibits the power of God's love and grace.

In Jacob we see the utter worthlessness and depravity of the human nature, but we also see the deepest instruction as to God's purpose and infinite grace.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25).

Activity for Today: Fight between Flesh Vs Spirit

by Theodore Epp

David and Goliath

Portion For Reading Psalms 23:1,4,6
While Goliath was taunting Israel, David was tending his father's flocks in peace, far from the war, meditating upon the Word of God, playing his harp and singing to the Lord. However, David had three older brothers who were soldiers in the army of Israel. One day David's father came to him and said, "Go and visit your brothers on the battlefront and bring me word about how things are going." So David left his sheep with another shepherd, arose early in the morning and left for the battlefield.

(1 Sam. 17) 32-33David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

You who are listening today, who are you most like? David? Or Saul and his soldiers? Do you know God personally? Or have you just heard a few things about Him? Do you know the Word of God so well that it fills your heart with joy? Or are you only trying to fulfil your religious obligations? Do you have a solid and happy relationship with the living God? Or do you only have dry religion?

Listen to what the prophet David wrote in the Psalms, concerning the relationship he had with God. He said:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!" (Psa. 23:1,4,6)

How about you? Do you have a close relationship with the Lord God? Do you know Him as your Shepherd? Are you certain that you will dwell in His house in heaven forever? David had that confidence, because he knew the wonderful and precious promises of the Lord God. And he didn't just know them in his head; he believed them in his heart.

David trusted God to help him even though the giant was much larger than he was. Do you have any "giants" in your life? Is there something so big that you don't see a way to overcome it? Ask God for help in meeting this enemy. Go to your parent, teacher, or a trusted adult for their wise counsel. Don't try to solve the problem by yourself.

Activity for Today: David and Goliath
Source: Injel.org