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

Read: Romans 8:16-18; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-8 “Why does Grandpa have to hurt so much?” Bentley asked his dad as they left the nursing home one afternoon. “I don’t know, Bentley. It’s hard to see Grandpa the way he is now, isn’t it?” They were silent as they walked out to the car and got in. “How about a hike up Piestewa Peak tomorrow?” Dad asked. Bentley’s eyes lit up. “Okay! I’ve been wanting to do that.” Less than halfway up the mountain the next day, Bentley began to struggle to keep up with Dad. Whatever made me think it would be fun to climb Piestewa Peak? he wondered. When he heard Dad say, “Time for a break,” Bentley sighed in relief. “Ready to go again?” Dad asked after the break. Bentley hesitated, trying to decide if he should suggest going back down. Dad ruffled Bentley’s hair. “You’re not going to quit on me now, are ya, buddy? When we get to the top, you’ll see the hard climb was totally worth it.” Bentley wasn’t so sure about that, but he nodded and trudged up the mountain with his dad. When they finally reached the top, they could see the whole city below, surrounded by hills and desert. A sense of wonder came over Bentley. “You were right!” he said. “This is awesome!” Soon they found a nice spot to spread out their picnic lunch. “Being up here is totally worth the hard climb, just like you said,” Bentley mused. Dad took a bite of his sandwich and nodded. “I’ve been thinking,” he said. “Our climb up here was hard, but it had a good ending. What’s happening to Grandpa is something like climbing this mountain.” “How?” asked Bentley. “Our world is cursed by sin—it’s what causes hard things like death and Grandpa’s illness. But when Jesus returns, He’s going to make all things new. Christians will have perfect bodies, and we’ll live with Jesus in a new, beautiful world where there won’t be any sin, death, or suffering. Our lives now are hard—just like climbing this mountain was hard. But Jesus is with us every step of the way, and like the view after the hike, we know the ending will be worth it.” –Esther M. Bailey How about you? Have you struggled with having a friend or family member die? Do you wonder why people have to suffer through sickness and pain? People go through many different kinds of struggles in life, and it’s hard to understand why. But Jesus promises to be with us in our pain and struggles on earth, and one day He will come back and make everything new. Then we’ll be free from sin, pain, and death and will live with Him forever! Today's Key Verse: Sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NKJV) Today's Key Thought: Jesus will end suffering

Read: Romans 3:23-25 Matthew lined up his first putt. He bounced his golf ball off the side wall, past the spinning windmill, and it rolled to a stop just a few feet away from the hole. “Great shot, buddy!” said Dad. It was Matthew’s first time mini-golfing, and his dad was teaching him how to play. “That was a great way to start the game. My turn now, and then whoever is farther away from the hole after that goes next.” Dad steadied his shoulders, took aim, and swung. Dad’s ball went straight through the tunnel, barely dodging the windmill blades. It kept rolling over the green turf, slowed to a crawl, and almost stopped before tipping into the cup. “Wow, a hole in one! I can’t believe it!” Matthew exclaimed. He was sure he’d never be able to play like that. “I admit, that was pretty cool. I didn’t think I was going to be able to do that,” Dad said as he reached into the cup to retrieve his ball. “It’s really tough to get a hole in one.” “Do you think I’ll ever be able to do that?” Matthew asked. “I’m sure you could, with practice. You even got pretty close on your first shot today.” They continued to play, and Matthew kept trying for his own hole in one, but he never quite made it. “You’re right, Dad, getting a hole in one is a lot tougher than it looks. I don’t think I’ll ever be good enough.” Matthew sighed. “It’s like what I learned at church last week. We talked about how no one is good enough to get into heaven on their own either.” Dad nodded. “That’s a really good point. Earning your way into heaven would be like getting a hole in one every time your whole life—only way more impossible! No matter how hard we try, we could never be good enough to get into heaven. There’s only one person who is.” “Right. Jesus!” said Matthew. “He died on the cross so we wouldn’t have to be punished for the bad stuff we’ve done. The only way to get to heaven is to trust Him to save us.” Matthew lined up his ball and putted, then gave his dad a huge grin as it went straight into the hole. –Dylan Kraayenbrink How about you? Do you think you can get into heaven on your own? If you’ve done even just one bad thing—like telling a little lie to your parents or taking something that’s not yours—you have failed. And the Bible says we’ve all failed to do what’s right. That’s why God sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to die for us. We can only get into heaven by trusting in Him. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today Key Verse: As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Romans 3:10 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Only Jesus can bring you into heaven

Read: Philippians 2:1-4; Colossians 3:12 “Boo!” Blake shouted from behind the couch as his younger sister walked past. Gabby screamed and jumped in surprise, and Blake laughed as he climbed out. “Gotcha!” “Mom!” Gabby wailed. “Blake’s scaring me again!” Mom came into the living room. “Blake, we’ve talked about this before. You know it scares Gabby when you jump out at her like that. You need to stop it.” “Yeah,” said Gabby. “And stop hitting me with your pillow too.” “Oh, come on. I just wanted to have a pillow fight! Lighten up, Gabby.” “Blake,” said Mom, “are you being kind to your sister?” “Well, I’m not trying to be mean. I just want to have fun.” As Blake spoke, their black cat raced past them, followed by their big golden dog. “Oscar, leave Morris alone!” yelled Blake. He chased the golden retriever around the coffee table. Oscar pranced around and panted happily as he trapped the hissing cat in the corner. “Oscar looks like he’s laughing,” said Gabby. Mom nodded. “I’d say he’s having a lot of fun.” “Oscar, come!” At Blake’s command, the dog finally turned away from the cat. “No chasing Morris.” Blake glared at the dog sternly as Oscar trotted to him. “Don’t do that again!” Mom smirked. “But Oscar was only having fun. He didn’t do it to be mean.” “Well, it wasn’t fun for Morris, and—” Blake stopped. He was quiet for a moment, then sighed. “I see your point, Mom. What’s fun for one animal—or person—might not be any fun for the other.” Mom nodded. “Oscar was having fun at Morris’s expense. That’s also how you’ve been having fun with Gabby. You’ve been doing things that were fun for you, but not fun for her—in fact, I think part of your fun came from seeing her get upset. That’s not how Jesus wants us to treat people. He tells us to show others love and kindness by considering how they feel and not just thinking of ourselves. That’s the kind of love He showed us when He sacrificed His life so we could be saved.” Blake looked over at Gabby, who had picked up Morris and gone into the kitchen. “Come on, Oscar,” he said. “You and I both need to apologize.” –Jody Hedlund How about you? Are you sensitive to the feelings of others? Or do you like to have fun by teasing people who may not find it as fun as you do? As Christians, we need to put other people’s feelings before our own fun and enjoyment so they can see Jesus’s love in us. He loves us so much that He gave His own life to save us, and He’ll help you reflect His love in the way you treat others. Today's Key Verse: Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 (CSB) Today's Key Thought: Consider how others feel

Read: Luke 2:8-14; Hebrews 12:1-3 “This is the worst Christmas ever!” Riley told her brother. “Not only did we have to move because of Dad’s job, we have to live in this tiny apartment because we can’t find a house.” She groaned as she tripped over a box on her way to the couch. “There’s no room in here!” Logan shrugged. “At least we have beds. When Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem, all they could find was a stable. They probably just had straw.” “Yeah, well, at least they had the gifts the wise men brought them. We don’t have any presents to open because we’ve been too busy moving that we haven’t had any time to go Christmas shopping!” “Actually, the wise men didn’t bring gifts to Jesus right when he was born,” Logan said. “They didn’t come until later.” Riley crossed her arms. “Well, at least they had the angels singing. I can’t download any music because the internet isn’t working!” “It was actually the shepherds who heard the angels singing—not Mary and Joseph.” Logan looked at his sister. “It sounds like you’re having a crybaby Christmas.” Riley raised her eyebrows. “A crybaby Christmas?” “Yeah,” said Logan. “You’re complaining about everything!” Riley threw a pillow at her brother’s head, but Mom came down the hallway just in time and caught it in midair. “Okay, you two. What’s going on?” “Logan says I’m complaining about everything!” said Riley. “Well, are you?” asked Mom. Riley sighed. “Well, maybe. But everything’s a mess, and just because he’s not bothered by any of it doesn’t mean he can make fun of me!” Mom sat down next to Riley. “I know Christmas is a lot different for us this year, but we can still be joyful. After all, Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth to save us! He cares about us and understands what we’re going through because He went through so much more when He was on earth.” Riley looked around their small apartment. “But He never complained, did He?” Mom shook her head. “The Bible says He went to the cross with joy because it was the only way we could have eternal life with Him.” She smiled at Riley. “Trust Him to help you be joyful too.” –Ruth McQuilkin How about you? Have you been rejoicing in the birth of Jesus this Christmas season? Or have you been too weighed down by problems to feel joyful? Problems can be hard to deal with, especially at Christmas, but remember that you don’t have to face them alone. Jesus came to earth to save you, and He promises to be with you through every problem you face. Because of Him, you can celebrate Christmas with joy! Today's Key Verse: The angel said…I bring you good tidings of great joy. Luke 2:10 (NKJV) Today's Key Thought: Be joyful

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7; John 3:16 Christmas presents made Sam nervous. Santa’s “nice” list made him worried. As the days drew closer to Christmas, Sam’s anxiety about presents increased. Maybe it was the wondering—is Santa coming? Maybe it was the worry—was I good enough this year? Or maybe Sam was afraid he couldn’t buy the perfect gifts for his family with the little money he had. “Homemade gifts again,” he said sadly. On Christmas Eve, Sam’s parents took him and his brother, Bobby, on an outing to the zoo to help get their minds off presents. As they walked around, the family noticed the animals were being extra active and noisy in their enclosures. The eagles squawked. The mountain lions grunted, pacing back and forth. The black bears huffed, as one clawed up a tree stump and the other scratched its backside along the fence. Then the parrot said, “Hi, Bobby.” “Did he say my name?” asked Bobby in amazement. The petting zoo sheep and goats were baaing and maaing louder than ever. “Why are the animals acting so funny?” Sam finally asked. “I think animals talk on Christmas Eve,” said Dad, grinning. “I think they’re excited for the birth of baby Jesus, just like the barn animals were on the night He was born!” Sam was old enough to know the animals couldn’t really talk, but he was warmed by the idea of it. The animals were God’s creation, and perhaps they wanted to celebrate Christmas too. “It’s not about the presents, it’s about God sending Jesus into the world to save us because He loves us,” said Sam. “He’s the present!” “You got it! Spending time together at Christmas and giving thanks to God for His wonderful gift is what really matters,” said Mom. Dad nodded. “Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us eternal life, and He fills our lives with love, joy, peace, and many other good things. There’s nothing better than that!” That night, Sam slept peacefully and awoke to a beautiful Christmas morning. He jumped out of bed, ready to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. –Elizabeth Janczyk How about you? Do you worry about presents at Christmas? Maybe you don’t know what will be under the tree or if you’ll be able to buy others the gifts they want. The good news is that the best gift of Christmas isn’t anything anyone can buy. It’s Jesus, and He doesn’t have a “nice” list—He offers eternal life to everyone, even though none of us deserve it. Have you received that gift? Trust in Him today so you can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Today's Key Verse: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV) Today's Key Thought: Celebrate the gift of Jesus