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

Read: Colossians 3:12-14

“Knock off that noise!” Mrs. Steele yelled in Lila’s direction.

Lila was startled. She’d been curled up with a book, reading quietly on the porch. Surely Mrs. Steele wasn’t talking to her. But she was.

Later, when Lila’s dad came home, he noticed that the small windchimes from the front porch were now on the kitchen table. “Did the chimes fall down?” he asked Lila.

Lila shook her head, clearly upset. “They were bothering Mrs. Steele. She yelled at me because they woke her up. Dad, why is she so cranky?”

Dad sighed. “I’m sorry, honey. Listen, Grandma taught me that when someone is cranky, they might be dealing with hard things, like sickness or loneliness. Let’s try to help Mrs. Steele by being kind to her, even when she’s not kind to us. That’s the kind of love Jesus showed us when He died for our sins, and He’ll help us show His love to Mrs. Steele.”

Lila sighed. “Could you hang the chimes up in my bedroom? They remind me of Mom.”

“Sure,” he said, giving her a hug. “I miss Mom too.”

The next morning before church, Lila saw that Mrs. Steele’s newspaper had landed where it would be hard for the older woman to reach. Lila was tempted to pretend she didn’t notice, but then she remembered what her dad said. So, she took a deep breath, then picked up the newspaper and carried it to her neighbor.

“Good morning, Mrs. Steele. How are you today?”

Mrs. Steele frowned. “I couldn’t sleep again last night. Too much back pain.”

Lila said, “When my grandpa’s back hurts, I do chores for him, like emptying the trash and weeding his garden. Maybe I can do chores for you after Dad and I get home from church and grocery shopping.”

Mrs. Steele brightened up. “I could really use a few groceries. I could make a list and give you some money.”

“Of course.” Lila smiled.

Later that afternoon, Lila carried a small bag of groceries next door and put them away for Mrs. Steele. “What else can I do for you?” she asked.

“You could pour us both some juice and tell me what you learned in church today. I used to go, but it’s been ages. I miss it.”

–Teresa Ambord

How about you? Do you know someone who seems difficult for no reason? It might be a neighbor, a relative, or someone at school. It can be tempting to respond to them the same way they treat you, but Jesus says to be kind and patient. They might be going through something difficult, and you could help them by showing them God’s love. Talk it over with an adult, and trust Jesus to help you treat them the way He would.

Today's key verse: Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (CSB)

Today's key thought: Be kind to difficult people

Read: John 10:25-30

Brayan and his parents lived out in the country, right next door to the McNairs’ alpaca ranch. Brayan was fascinated with the alpacas. He would often sit outside and watch them grazing.

“Brayan!” Mom called to him one day. “Mr. McNair invited you to come over at six-thirty this evening to help feed the alpacas.”

“All right!” Brayan rushed through his homework and dinner and arrived at the McNairs’ barn right on time.

“First we’re going to fill the hay bins and pour the feed into the troughs,” Mr. McNair told him. “Then we’ll call the alpacas in.”

After the hay bins and troughs were filled, Brayan followed Mr. and Mrs. McNair toward the pasture. Mr. McNair began to call the alpacas. “Come, pacas, come!” Brayan watched in amazement as the alpacas responded to the sound of Mr. McNair’s voice. They began running toward the barn. Soon all the alpacas were gathered around the feeding troughs.

Once the alpacas were done eating, Mr. McNair put a halter on Loki and led him over to Brayan. “You can gently stroke his fur, if you like.”

Brayan, with a big smile on his face, slowly raised his hand and began to pat Loki. “You’re a good boy!” Brayan said.

Mrs. McNair smiled. “You can come back anytime, Brayan.”

When Brayan returned home, Mom asked, “How did it go?”

“I loved it! The coolest part was watching all the alpacas running toward the barn when they heard Mr. McNair calling them. All he had to say was ‘Come, pacas, come!’ and they all came running.”

“That reminds me of a verse in the Bible,” said Mom. “In the book of John, Jesus says, ‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.’ The alpacas recognize Mr. McNair’s voice because they know him and trust him. As Christians, we trust and follow Jesus because we have a relationship with Him. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit helps us hear His voice and know what He says is true.”

“Wow, that’s really cool!” said Brayan. “Can I help feed the alpacas tomorrow? Maybe someday they will trust me too, just like they do Mr. McNair.”

–Lisa Fuller

How about you? Are you a follower of Jesus? Do you listen to His voice? The Bible reminds us that we are like the Lord’s sheep, and just like sheep follow their shepherd, we trust and follow Jesus. As we spend time with God in church, in prayer, and in His Word, we learn to recognize and respond to His voice. Spend time with the Lord today and listen to what He tells you.

Today's key verse: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (NLT)

Today's key thought: Listen to God’s voice

Read: Philippians 4:11-13

Moooooo.

“Whoa!” Jordan shouted. He’d been so deep in thought that he almost plowed right into a large brown cow standing in the middle of the path.

Uncle Tim appeared in the doorway of the barn. “Oh good, you found Clarice!”

“Well, we kind of found each other,” Jordan said. “She wouldn’t moooove.”

“Good one!” Uncle Tim grinned. “So tell me, how was your first day? I know it had to be tough changing schools in the middle of the year.”

Jordan shrugged. “It was okay. I hope Dad’s job lets him stay here longer. We’ve lived in three different states in four years!” He sighed. “I don’t know, maybe I’ll be happy once we get settled.”

Leading Clarice into her milking pen inside the barn, Uncle Tim said, “One thing about feelings, Jordan—you can’t always depend on them to make you happy. There’s feeling happy, and then there’s being content.”

“Aren’t they the same thing?” Jordan asked.

Instead of answering, Uncle Tim pulled up a milking stool and wiggled his finger in the air. “Come on over here and I’ll show you the fine art of milking a cow!”

After a quick demonstration, Jordan was milking Clarice.

“You’re a natural,” Uncle Tim said over the ping-ping of milk hitting the metal pail. “And to answer your question, feeling happy and being content are not always the same thing. The apostle Paul learned that as he traveled from place to place.”

“Hey, he traveled from place to place like me!” said Jordan. “So how did he learn the difference?”

“Paul learned that when you put your faith and hope in Jesus, He’ll help you learn to be content in any situation. That’s different than feeling happy all the time. Contentment is a peaceful feeling that only God can give you.” Uncle Tim patted the side of Clarice, who was slowly chewing her supper. “Kind of like Clarice here. Looking at her, I’d say she looks udderly content.”

After laughing together at the silly joke, Uncle Tim prayed out loud that Jesus would help Jordan learn to be content. Even before Uncle Tim said amen, Jordan felt the deep soul-peace that only God can give.

–Kelly Hope

How about you? Do you find it hard to be content where you are? Do you wish things were different in your life? Even people in the Bible, like the apostle Paul, had to learn to be content when they faced difficult circumstances. When you trust Jesus and remember the hope you have in Him—hope of eternal life because of the sacrifice He made to save you—He’ll help you learn to be content with the life He gave you.

Today's Key Verse: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus brings contentment

Read: Romans 5:6-8; 8:38-39

Cali opened her eyes. “Ready or not, here I come!”

Her three-year-old sister, Nora, stood behind a scrawny tree hugging her teddy bear. Cali pretended to look around. “Where could Nora be?” she wondered aloud.

Ruff, ruff! Cali’s dog ran out of the house and straight to Nora.

Nora laughed. “Cocoa found me!”

“Lunchtime!” Mama called from the porch.

A wonderful aroma met them inside. “Cookies!” squealed Cali. “Can I have one?”

Mama took a pitcher of lemonade from the fridge. “No cookies until after lunch.”

Nora peeked around Mama. “Is Teddy in there? I think he’s still playing hide-and-seek.”

“No Teddy in the fridge.” Mama shut the door. “Let’s check outside.”

As soon as Mama and Nora left the kitchen, Cali slid a cookie from the plate and popped it into her mouth. She scooted the rest of the cookies around to hide what she’d done.

A few minutes later, with Teddy still missing, they sat down for lunch. Nora bowed her head. “Thank you, God, for this food. Please show me where Teddy is. I know You can because You see everything.”

Cali thought about Nora’s prayer. She hadn’t been hidden when she ate the cookie. God had seen her as easily as Cali had seen Nora hiding behind the scrawny tree.

Cali’s stomach felt funny. She no longer wanted a cookie. She gave a piece of hers to Cocoa, who trotted to his bed and nuzzled it under his blanket. Out from the other side of the blanket popped a fuzzy ear.

“Look,” cried Nora. “Cocoa hid Teddy in his bed!” She ran to get her bear. Once she had him in her arms, she turned to face Cocoa. “No, no!” she scolded.

Cocoa put his tail between his legs. Nora plopped beside him. “Don’t worry, silly dog. Me and Teddy and Jesus still love you!”

Cali suddenly felt better. She’d been wrong to eat the cookie and try to hide what she’d done, but Jesus still loved her. She knew this because of something else she’d hidden—the very best thing to hide—God’s Word in her heart. The Bible promised that because she trusted Jesus as her Savior, nothing could ever separate her from His love.

–Martha Hynson

How about you? Do you ever feel like hiding from God when you’ve done something wrong?
Do you worry he might stop loving you? God promises in His Word that nothing can separate us from His love, not even our sin. By memorizing verses like Romans 5:8, you can hide God’s Word in your heart so you will never forget the hugeness of His love for you.

Today's Key Verse: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus will always love you

Read: Matthew 6:19-21

“Look, Malachi!” Nevaeh said as she pulled a small worn book out of an old trunk that had belonged to their great-grandmother. Her voice echoed a little in the big attic where they were cleaning. “This looks like a journal Grandma Baker wrote in. She gave it the title ‘My Trophies.’”

“I wonder what kind of trophies she won,” said Malachi. “Was she an athlete?”

“Well, let’s look.” Nevaeh opened the book and read out loud. “May 10. Thank You, Lord, for letting me talk to Abigail today and help her understand how much You love her. I’m so glad she trusted Jesus as her Savior.” Nevaeh turned a few pages. “July 16. Today Graham left to be a missionary in India. He’s changed so much since he got saved, and now he’s serving the Lord.”

“I wonder who Abigail and Graham were,” said Malachi. “Let’s ask Dad.”

When the kids asked their father, he smiled. “I think they were children Grandma Baker led to the Lord. She worked as a children’s missionary for many years. Those kids became living trophies as they turned to Christ—examples of how God was working through her to bring more people to Him. It was the most important thing to her.”

“Yes,” said Mom. “Grandma didn’t have much earthly treasure, but she was rich in heavenly treasures. In the Bible, Jesus talks about how important it is to store our treasure in heaven.”

“There’s a good lesson here for all of us,” said Dad. “Each of us should ask ourselves, ‘Where am I storing treasure? On earth, or in heaven?’”

“But do I have to lead somebody to Jesus to get treasure in heaven?” asked Nevaeh. “I’m not sure I could do that.”

Dad shook his head. “It’s not what we do that stores treasure in heaven, but who we do it for. When we trust in Jesus, everything we do out of love and service to Him builds on the treasure we have in Him. He’s our true treasure, and He helps us store heavenly riches that last forever by making us more like Him so we can show others His love.” Dad smiled at Nevaeh. “Someday you might be surprised how He’ll help you lead someone to the treasure found only in Him.”

–Jan L. Hansen

How about you? Where do you store your treasure? In the rooms and closets of your home? In good grades or likes on a screen? Or in heaven? Things like money, success, and popularity come and go, and they can only last as long as your life on earth. But the treasure found in Jesus lasts for all eternity! Store treasure in heaven by trusting Him to help you share His love with others and point them to Him.

Today's Key Verse: Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Store treasure in heaven