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

Read: Psalm 103:11-12; Malachi 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

“Look, Bianca!” Mom was sitting on the couch with a big book on her lap. “Here’s a lock of your hair from when you were three months old—and look at your footprint from when you were born.”

Bianca grinned. “Wow! It’s really tiny! That’s my baby book, isn’t it? It’s been a long time since I’ve looked at it.”

“I wrote all these entries in it during your first three years,” Mom said. “It says you walked and talked early. You took your first step at nine months. You said ‘Dada’ at five months—at least, your dad said you did—and you could sing the ABCs by the time you were two and a half. You were a smart little cookie.”

“Really?” Bianca sighed. “Well, I’m not smart anymore. I’m always doing dumb things now.”

“That’s not true,” said Mom. “Sometimes you just dwell on your mistakes too much.” She pointed to the book. “Why do you think I didn’t write things like, ‘Today Bianca fell down fifteen times trying to walk’?”

Bianca laughed. “That wouldn’t sound too good.”

“No, but falling down is part of learning to walk,” said Mom. “I don’t remember how many times you fell, but I do remember that first step. I didn’t record the times you cried for what seemed like hours. But you were a sweet baby, and I recorded that. Moms always write good memories in baby books.” She smiled at Bianca. “Did you know that God has a book of remembrance too?”

“He does? Does He only write down good things in His book like moms do?”

Mom nodded. “He doesn’t keep a record of the wrong things Christians do. When we trust in Jesus, all our sins are forgiven. He only remembers the good things.”

“So He doesn’t want us to feel bad about all the wrong things we’ve done?”

Mom shook her head. “Sin does have consequences, and when we do something wrong, Jesus wants us to confess our sin to Him. But it will never show up in God’s remembrance book because Jesus took all our sins on Himself when He died. Instead of dwelling on our mistakes, He wants us to show His love to others and joyfully walk with Him.”

–Barbara J. Westberg

How about you? Did you know that, if you’re a Christian, God doesn’t keep a record of your sins? He only remembers the good things you do out of the love He’s put in your heart. So don’t dwell on your failures and mistakes. When you do something wrong, confess it to Jesus. He promises to forgive you and help you do good things that show the love and joy you have in Him.

Today’s key verse: Love is patient, love is kind…it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: God remembers good things

Read: Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 8:28, 38-39

Kate squeezed sand between her toes as she watched a young mother swing her daughter around and catapult her into the water. The girl giggled and called out for more. Kate looked at her mom and remembered when she was strong and healthy enough to do the same thing with her. Now if Mom wanted to get in the water at the beach, she had to crawl through the sand until she reached the water’s edge. Walking was just too painful most days.

Mom patted the blanket, and Kate curled up next to her. “Mom, why do you have this awful sickness? Why can’t the doctors help you? I’ve been praying every day, but it seems like God isn’t listening!”

Mom stroked Kate’s silky hair. “I don’t know, sweetie, but I’m so thankful you’re praying for me. Don’t give up! Remember what we read in Romans this morning about God always being with us and using everything in our lives for good?”

“I remember,” Kate said. “It’s just that all of this is so bad!”

Mom nodded sadly. “It is. But we have to keep trusting that God is working in all this bad and will make something good come out of it.”

“Hey!” Kate sat straight up. “That reminds me of the story of Joseph. He was thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, and thrown in jail for something he didn’t do. But God used those bad things to place Joseph as second in command over Egypt. When there was a severe famine, Joseph was able to save many people’s lives!”

Mom nodded. “Joseph trusted God, even though he didn’t understand why He would allow all those bad things to happen to him. And we need to trust God in our situation. We don’t know why He allowed me to get sick, but perhaps, like Joseph’s hardships, it will help save people’s lives by pointing them to Jesus. He did the greatest good of all by suffering and dying on a cross to save us, and we can trust Him to use everything in our lives for good too.”

Kate looked at her mom. “I’ll remind us to keep trusting Him.”

Mom smiled. “I’d be thankful for that. And here’s something else to be thankful for—we’re at the beach, not in a stinky jail cell!”

–Savannah Coleman

How about you? Do you ever wonder why God allows people you love to get sick or hurt? This world we live in is full of pain and sorrow, but we are not alone. Jesus knows what it’s like to go through pain and suffering, and He promises to be with us in everything we face and use it for good. He died and rose again so we could have a future free from pain, sickness, and death. We can trust Him.

Today’s key verse: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God. Romans 8:28 (CSB)

Today’s key thought: Trust God in hard times

Read: 1 Peter 1:18-21

“Yum!” Hazel said as her mom set a bowl of bright red strawberries on the table. They had just gotten home from the Fourth of July parade and were enjoying a snack on the patio.

“Can we go see the fireworks tonight?” Ollie asked as he popped a strawberry into his mouth. “And can Zane come with us?”

“As a matter of fact, we’ve asked Zane’s family to join us for a picnic before the fireworks,” Mom told him.

Dad smiled when Ollie let out a whoop. “I’ve been talking to Zane’s dad about Jesus lately,” Dad said. “He’s interested, but he says he can’t believe he doesn’t have to do something to earn his way to heaven—he says nothing is really free. Maybe I’ll get a chance to talk more about it with him tonight.”

Mom helped herself to some strawberries. “Did you kids enjoy the parade?” she asked.

“Yeah!” said Ollie. “When we were waiting in line to get popsicles, we talked to a man in a wheelchair. He was a veteran, and now we appreciate the freedom we have in this country more than we ever did before.”

Hazel nodded. “It never cost us anything, but it cost that man a whole lot.”

“And it cost some people even more—it cost them their lives,” Ollie added.

“It’s so easy to take our blessings for granted,” said Dad. “We forget that someone paid a big price for them.” He looked at Ollie and smiled. “You’ve given me an idea for helping Zane’s dad understand salvation.”

Ollie raised his eyebrows. “I have?”

Dad nodded. “Like I said, Zane’s dad thinks salvation can’t be free—he thinks it should cost something. Maybe I can show him that, like the liberties we enjoy in America, salvation is free to us, but someone paid a big price for it. It cost God the life of His only Son, Jesus. We can enjoy freedom from sin and life with God forever because Jesus was willing to pay the price for our salvation.”

“Wow!” said Hazel. “I’m so glad He paid the price so I could be free.”

“Me too,” said Dad. “Let’s pray that we can help Zane and his family understand that salvation is free for them too.”

–Barbara J. Westberg

How about you? Do you realize what salvation cost? Jesus had to leave the glories of heaven and live in this sinful world. He had to take the punishment you deserve and suffer and die on a cross—all to pay the price for you to be saved from sin and have eternal life with Him. Because He paid that price, salvation is free to you. Accept His gift by trusting in Him today! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: You were bought at a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Jesus paid for salvation

Read: Psalm 139:7-12

Peyton loved her new baby brother, Josiah, but lately it seemed like Mom and Dad didn’t have time for her anymore. She and her mom used to do things together, just the two of them. But now all Mom seemed to be able to do was focus on Josiah. He had some health problems that required much of her parents’ time.

When Dad got home from work, he and Peyton went outside to play ball. “I’ve been working on writing a song about Jesus!” Peyton said. “I’ve been practicing it in my head. I hope I don’t forget it.”

“That’s great!” said Dad. “Would you like some help writing down the music for it?”

“That would be great!” Then Peyton’s smile turned to a frown. “Mom said she didn’t have time to help me with it today. She was really busy with Josiah again.”

Dad stopped throwing the ball and thought for a moment. “We’ve been busy with him a lot these days, huh? Your mother and I knew you would have to share us with your little brother, but we never want either of you to think you’re not important to us or that we don’t have time for you.”

“I know,” said Peyton. Then she smirked. “I just wish we had a machine that would duplicate you and Mom so you could be there all the time for both of us!”

Dad laughed. “You know, even though we can’t do anything like that, our heavenly Father can! He is always there for us, all the time. We can go to Him in prayer whenever we feel lonely or need help with something, knowing that He loves us so much that He sent Jesus, His own Son, to die for us and make us His children.”

“That’s a great thought, Dad! So even when you and Mom have to help Josiah, I can have peace knowing God is right there with me.”

“That’s right!” said Dad. “But always let Mom or me know when you need some time with us. We want to be there for you too.” Dad tossed the ball to Peyton. “Now, as we finish our game, I want to hear that song you’ve been working on!”

–Jonathan Wiles

How about you? Have you ever felt like you have to share your mom or dad with your brothers or sisters? Maybe someone in your family has health issues or other problems and needs extra attention. Your parents can’t always give you their help or attention when you want it, but your heavenly Father can. Go to Him whenever you have a problem or feel sad. He always has time for you, no matter what!

Today’s key verse: God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: God always has time for you

Read: Daniel 12:3; Philippians 2:12-16

The dark sky over Star Mountain Camp rumbled with thunder.

“Macaroni and cheese, everybody freeze!” Sam, the camp counselor, called out over the rowdy summer campers. It had been raining all week, and everyone was getting restless.

“For this next game, I’ll need volunteers,” Sam announced. Hands shot up all over the rec room. “You and you,” Sam said, pointing to twin brothers Aiden and Connor.

Choruses of “No fair!” and “I was first!” rose up from the grumbling campers.

“Okay, change of plans,” Sam said. “I think what everyone has is a case of the rumble-grumbles. It’s becoming an epidemic!”

“What’s a leopard-demic?” asked one of the younger campers.

“Epidemic,” Sam corrected. “It’s something that spreads—like a bad rash.”

“Ewwww,” said the campers.

“So that’s something we want to fix fast, right?” Sam asked them. Young heads slowly started to nod.

“Who remembers our Bible verse for the week?” asked Sam.

The twins raised their hands. “You, then you,” Sam said, pointing to each of them.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing,” Connor began.

“So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation,” Aiden continued. “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

“I want everyone to follow me,” Sam said, leading the way outside. He pointed at the sky as the group huddled together in the cool night air. “Check out the stars!”

Gazing at the sparkling sky far above them, murmurs of “Wow!” and “Awesome!” drifted up from the campers.

“That’s how Jesus wants you to shine—here at camp, when you go home, at school, wherever you are,” Sam told them. “How do you think you can do that?”

“I guess one way is to remember everything Jesus has done for us instead of grumbling,” Connor suggested.

“And that He wants us to love and encourage one another,” Aiden said thoughtfully.

“Right,” said Sam. “Remember, if you belong to Jesus, you reflect Him—just like those stars in the night sky.” He paused.

All was calm. All was bright.

“Hey!” Aiden exclaimed suddenly. “The sky stopped rumbling!”

Connor grinned. “And the campers have stopped grumbling.”

–Kelly Hope

How about you? Do you find it easy to grumble or argue instead of being loving and encouraging to others? Remember that those who trust in Jesus shine like stars that stand out in the night sky. When you feel the rumble-grumbles coming on, remember that you belong to Jesus, who died to save you and fills your life with His love and blessings. Then trust Him to help you reflect His light.

Today’s key verse: Do everything without grumbling or arguing…Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Don’t grumble