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

Read: Acts 16:22-26

Gabby’s grandpa was in a lot of pain. His hands were nearly crippled, and he sat in a wheelchair when he was able to get out of bed. Gabby thought she would be miserable if she were in his place, but every time she visited him, he seemed to have a smile on his face.

“How are you so happy all the time?” Gabby asked as she sat in his living room with him one afternoon.

“God has been good to me,” Grandpa said, humming softly.

Gabby’s brows knit. How could he say that when he was in pain?

“What are you humming?” Gabby asked.

“It’s a song about God being good all the time,” Grandpa said. “We need to trust Him no matter what we face. We need to remember that He is good and has given us eternal life through His Son, Jesus.”

“I wish I had faith like you,” Gabby said.

Grandpa patted her hand with his gnarly one. “Did you ever read about Paul being put in prison?”

“I’m not sure,” said Gabby.

“Well, when he was beaten and put in prison, he still sang and praised God. Everyone who heard him was shocked.” Grandpa smiled. “I want to be like that.”

“And I want to be like you,” Gabby said.

Grandpa went back to humming, and Gabby leaned into his shoulder. She felt bad for him because of his pain, but he was one of the happiest and most content people she knew. She wanted to be like him when she was older rather than a lot of the grown-ups she knew who weren’t nearly as happy or friendly.

“God can get us through all kinds of terrible times and the pain we face,” Grandpa said softly. “Because Jesus died and rose again to save us, we can be joyful and praise Him no matter what. We just need to trust Him and know that He’s with us.” Grandpa smiled at Gabby. “Maybe I could teach you the words to the song I’ve been humming?”

“Sure,” Gabby said. She was eager to learn as much as she could from her faith-filled grandpa.

–Bethany Acker

How about you? Do you know someone who is happy even when life isn’t easy? We all go through hard, painful times in life, but we can still be joyful and praise God because of what He’s done for us. If you know Jesus as your Savior, He has given you eternal life and promises to be with you through every difficulty you face. Trust Him and praise Him no matter what life brings.

Today's Key Verse: In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:21 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Trust and praise God always

Read: John 14:1-6

Cadence and Izabel listened intently as Dad read the story of Finn, a very poor boy who lived long ago in a faraway country. “Everyone said the king was very kind,” Dad read, “so Finn decided to go see him and ask for help.

“When Finn arrived at the palace, he was stopped at the gate. He explained that he wanted to see the king, but he was refused admission. Now what can I do? he wondered. I know! I’ll climb over the wall. He looked around to make sure no one was watching, then found a part of the wall surrounded by trees and climbed to the top. Hey! That was easy! he thought, but at that very moment, several fierce-looking dogs in the palace yard rushed up. Finn dropped back to the ground. This won’t work after all, he thought. The only way in is through the gate. Discouraged, he walked back to the gate and sat down at the side of the road.

“Soon a carriage drove up, and a young man stepped out. ‘What’s the matter?’ the man asked. Finn explained that he desperately needed help and wanted to see the king. ‘Come with me,’ the young man said. Then he spoke to the gatekeeper, and the gates were opened. They went inside, and Finn could see the dogs out of the corner of his eye. He cringed when he heard them barking. But again the young man gave orders, and the dogs were restrained.

“Finn looked at the man wide-eyed. ‘Why does everyone obey you?’ he asked in wonder.

“The young man smiled. ‘Because I’m the prince,’ he replied. ‘And now we’ll go see my father—the king.’”

Dad stopped reading and closed the book. “Do you know who Finn reminds me of?”

“Who?” asked Izabel.

“Us,” said Dad. “We all need the King of kings—God—but none of us can reach Him on our own. That’s why He sent His Son to us.”

“Jesus!” Cadence and Izabel said together.

Smiling, Dad nodded. “We can only be saved through Jesus,” he said. “We can only have eternal life with the King of kings by knowing Him.”

–Harry C. Trover

How about you? Have you ever heard that it’s not what you know but who you know that matters? That’s often true! It’s certainly true when it comes to entering the kingdom of heaven. You need to know the Son of God—Jesus—as your Savior to be saved from sin and have eternal life. Do you know Him? (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: You need to know Jesus

Read: Acts 17:24-27

Allison sang out the words of a song. “Yesu yana kaunar yara.”

“What language is that?” asked her friend Gianna. “Like my grandma always says when she doesn’t understand something, it’s Greek to me!”

Allison laughed. “It’s not Greek,” she said. “It’s Hausa—a language spoken in Africa. I learned that song from my Aunt Mary, who’s a missionary in Nigeria.”

“What does it mean?” Gianna wanted to know.

“It means ‘Jesus, He loves the children,’” Allison explained.

“Oh, those sound like the words to a song Mom taught me when I was little,” Gianna said. “It’s called ‘Jesus Loves the Little Children.’ The tune sounded familiar too.”

Allison nodded. “Aunt Mary teaches a class of Nigerian girls who are the same age as we are. She says one girl reminds her of me.”

“Really?” said Gianna. “My dad always teases me and says I’m one-of-a-kind. How are you and the other girl alike?”

“Well, Aunt Mary says one way we’re alike is that we both love Jesus,” replied Allison. “And she says we act alike and are interested in a lot of the same things. We’re going to write to each other, and Aunt Mary will translate for us. It’ll be fun having a Nigerian pen pal!”

“Cool! I guess we’re not as different from kids in other countries as we think we are,” said Gianna.

Allison shook her head. “Aunt Mary always reminds me that we’re all the same to the Lord. He loves Nigerian children—and all the children in the world—just like He loves us.”

“Right,” said Gianna. “Just like your song said. How did that go? Sing it again.”

Allison sang the words again, and she laughed as Gianna tried it too.

“That’s okay. You can laugh at me,” said Gianna. “I bet the Nigerians would laugh at you!”

“You’re probably right,” said Allison. “But that’s okay. God understands—even when we mispronounce all the words. It’s not Greek to Him.”

“Let’s make it a duet,” suggested Gianna. So they started singing together.

–Linda Weddle

How about you? Did you know there are children all over the world who love the Lord? They’re like you in many ways. They read the same Bible and memorize many of the same verses and even sing some of the same songs, but in a different language. Always remember that Jesus loves all the children everywhere just like He loves you.

Today's Key Verse: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me…God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14 (ERV)

Today's Key Thought: God loves you and all children

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:14, 21-28

Brighton watched as Mom tied the sash of Kayleigh’s sparkly new dress and handed her a basket of flower petals. “It’s not fair,” Brighton muttered. She had never gotten to be a flower girl, but her little sister had been picked for that job in Aunt Erin’s wedding. “All I get to do is stand at the door and hand out programs,” Brighton said.

Mom frowned. “Brighton, please stop whining.”

“I’m not whining,” said Brighton, but she couldn’t make herself smile. It just isn’t fair! she thought again.

“Come here and see Aunt Erin’s flowers,” said Mom. Brighton walked over to the beautiful bouquet on the table. There were white roses and pink tulips, fragrant lilies, and dainty violets. “Which flower is the prettiest?” asked Mom.

Brighton studied them. “I like all of them,” she said. “It’s hard to pick one.”

“I agree,” said Mom. “It takes all the different kinds and colors to make this type of bouquet. Can you imagine the tulip crying because it doesn’t smell like the rose? Or the violet being upset because it’s smaller than the lily? That would be silly, wouldn’t it? Well, like flowers, people are different too. We all have different jobs to do.”

Brighton glanced up. “You want me to stop being mad that I can’t be a flower girl, don’t you?”

Mom nodded. “If you and Kayleigh were both flower girls, who would greet the guests? As the family of the bride, we need to work together to show Aunt Erin and Uncle Jeff how much we love them and make their guests feel welcome.”

Brighton sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

“We need to work together as God’s family too,” said Mom. “The Bible compares Christians to a body made up of many parts that function in different ways. We need to recognize that Jesus loves and died for all of us and that He’s given us different things to do so we can serve Him together. The things God has for you to do won’t be the same as those He has for Kayleigh, but whatever He gives you to do is important.”

“Like smiling as I greet everyone who comes to the wedding?” asked Brighton. Mom nodded. “Okay,” said Brighton. “Then I will!”

–Jennifer Quakenbush

How about you? Are you content doing the things God has given you to do? Or do you wish you could do what someone else is doing instead? God gives each Christian in the body of Christ—the church—different roles and tasks in serving Him and others. When you refuse to do your part, others miss out on having you share God’s love with them. Serve Jesus and show others His love by joyfully doing the things He’s given you to do.

Today's Key Verse: All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Every job is important

Read: Colossians 3:20-25

Daniel plopped down on the top step and scowled. His sister, Nia, found him there. “Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and we don’t have a gift for Mom yet,” she said. “Let’s go see what we can find.”

“I can’t,” Daniel said. “Mom says I can’t go anywhere. I didn’t clean my room right away like she told me to, and then when I did do it, she still wasn’t satisfied. I told her it was my room and it looked fine to me, so I didn’t care what she thought!”

Nia gasped. “Daniel!”

“I know,” Daniel said. “It was a dumb thing to say. She grounded me and then made me clean my room again anyway.”

“Great, now how am I supposed to get her a present?” asked Nia. “Maybe if I ask her, she’ll let you walk into town with me.”

Nia went and made her request, but when Mom said no, Nia became angry and talked back. So she got grounded too.

After dinner the next day, Daniel and Nia felt bad about not having a gift for their mom. “We wanted to get you something yesterday,” Nia explained to her, “but you wouldn’t let us go to the store.”

Dad raised his eyebrows. “So it’s Mom’s fault you don’t have a present for her?”

“Well…no,” Daniel replied slowly.

“Tell me,” said Dad, “why is it you wanted to give Mom a present in the first place?”

“Because it’s Mother’s Day, and we wanted to show that we love her,” said Nia.

“And what’s the best way to show your love?” Dad asked.

“Well, um…giving presents and stuff is one way,” said Daniel.

“And we also show people we love them by the way we act toward them.” Nia sighed. “Yesterday we didn’t act like we loved you, Mom. I’m sorry I talked back to you.”

“Me too, Mom,” said Daniel. “And I’m sorry I didn’t obey you right away.”

“I forgive you both,” said Mom.

“And so will Jesus,” said Dad. “We also disobey Him when we don’t obey our parents, but He will always forgive us and help us show our love for others through our actions.”

Mom nodded. “When you obey me, you give Jesus a present too!”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Do you tell your parents that you love them—not only by saying it or giving them presents, but by obeying them? Or do you whine and complain and sometimes talk back when they ask you to do something? When you obey your parents, it’s like giving them a gift out of love—and you do the same when you obey Jesus. Obey Him by obeying your parents.

Today's Key Verse: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Obey your parents