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

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

Read: Colossians 1:9-12

Hadley came running out of children’s church. “How was your class today?” Mom asked as they climbed into the van.

“Mrs. Burton’s lesson was on intercession. When we pray, we need to pray for others too. Mrs. Burton explained that intercede means to act or plead on someone’s behalf,” Hadley proudly stated as she buckled in.

“Praying for others is important,” Mom said. “It’s easy to pray for ourselves, but sometimes we forget to ask God to help others with their needs and let them feel His love and presence in their lives.”

“Mrs. Burton often walks around her neighborhood praying for her neighbors. She calls it prayer walking,” Hadley said. “We went on a prayer walk this morning while you were in big church. We prayed for Pastor Tom, the congregation, and all the children’s church teachers. Mae and I want to start prayer walking around our apartment complex each week.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea, Hadley!” Mom replied. “Why don’t we put together a list of specific prayer requests for our neighbors.”

Starting that week, Hadley, Mae, and their moms prayer walked every Tuesday. One evening, as they were walking past Mr. Swanson’s apartment, he came out to visit. “Getting your exercise each week, I see.”

“And we’re praying too,” Hadley explained. As she talked, she noticed a tear slide down Mr. Swanson’s cheek. “Is everything okay?”

Mr. Swanson shook his head. “May I share a prayer request with you?” Hadley, Mae, and their moms gathered around as he spoke. They took turns praying over Mr. Swanson, then he said, “Thanks for praying with me.”

“Anytime,” Mae answered.

As the weeks went by, many prayer requests were answered in their small apartment community. The most exciting news was when one of Hadley’s neighbor friends gave his life to Jesus!

“You know, Mom, prayer walking has really taught me how to pray for others, and it’s been so exciting to see prayers answered,” Hadley said one Tuesday night.

“It’s given us so many reasons to praise God,” Mom replied as she gave Hadley a hug. “And it’s been great exercise too!”

–Lisa Fuller

How about you? Did you know that God wants us as Christians to intercede for others in prayer? Prayer is powerful, and when we ask God to act in other people’s lives out of love for them, it can result in changed hearts and deeper relationships with Jesus. You can pray for anyone anytime and anywhere, but doing a prayer walk in your church, school, or neighborhood is a great way to practice praying for others.

Today's Key Verse: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Pray for others

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-16

Amir rushed into the house and dropped his backpack. “Look at this!” he said, holding out a fossilized bone. “My teacher said I could borrow it to show Grandpa. Can I show it to him today?”

Mom smiled. “We’ll go over to the nursing home after supper.”

“Mrs. Patterson says only one out of millions of bones becomes a fossil,” Amir told his mother. “It has to be buried in just the right minerals. As the bone decays, the minerals seep into the pores, and bit by bit they replace the bone until there’s no bone left, just hard, strong rock mineral.”

“Really? Grandpa will love to hear about that,” Mom said. “I bet his neighbor, Mr. Wyatt, would like to see that fossil and hear about it too.”

“I doubt it,” said Amir. “He doesn’t like anything—or anybody. He’s too grumpy!” Amir set the fossil on the table. “I know he’s old, but Grandpa isn’t grumpy like that, and he’s even older than Mr. Wyatt.”

Mom thought for a moment. “Grandpa is a lot like that fossil,” she said.

Amir’s eyes grew wide. “He’s not that old!”

Mom laughed. “What I mean is, because Grandpa knows Jesus, God’s goodness and love have seeped into his heart over the course of his life. Just like minerals filled and replaced the materials originally found in the fossil, the Holy Spirit filled Grandpa with love, joy, and peace—all the right things. Now he’s pretty old. He’s growing weak and tired and is starting to forget things, but God’s Spirit is evident in him.”

“And it’s not in Mr. Wyatt?” Amir asked.

“As far as we know, Mr. Wyatt has never trusted Jesus as his Savior,” said Mom. “If he hasn’t, then he doesn’t have the Holy Spirit in his heart working to replace his old self with God’s goodness and love.”

Amir picked up the fossil. “Maybe I should show this to Mr. Wyatt like you said.” He looked at Mom. “And we should tell him how Jesus changes people like minerals change bones.”

“Yes,” Mom replied. “It’s not too late for him. God can still work a miracle in his life.”

–Heather Tekavec

How about you? Is God’s goodness seeping into your heart? Are the desires of your old sinful self being replaced with His love? When you trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins working in your life to make you more like Him. Even though our physical bodies may grow old and weak, we have eternal life with Jesus, and through His Spirit our faith in Him grows stronger each day.

Today's Key Verse: Our human body is wearing out. But our spirits are getting stronger every day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus changes us