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

Read: 1 Corinthians 11:23-27

“Hey, Dad,” said Parker as he and his family were on their way home from a visit with their grandmother, “what do you want written on your tombstone?”

“What a question!” said Mom. “Why are you asking that?”

Parker laughed. “While you were visiting with Grandma, Sadie and I went to the cemetery across the street, remember? There were some interesting things carved on the grave markers—like little sayings or poems. I was just wondering what you’d want on yours someday.”

“I think I’d like a Bible verse,” Dad said. “I want people to remember that my hope is in Jesus.”

“Why do people put flowers on graves?” asked Sadie.

“It’s an expression of love for the person who died,” said Mom. “They do it in memory of that person, and it comforts them as they remember who that person was and what they did.”

“That reminds me of the memorial service we have at church,” Dad said.

“Memorial service?” Parker asked. “At our church? What service is that?”

“The communion service,” replied Dad. “The Bible tells us to observe it in memory of Jesus and all He did for us. We’re reminded of His life and death and that He rose from the grave.”

“And also that He’s coming again,” Mom said.

Sadie nodded thoughtfully. “Why don’t we bring flowers for Him, like people do at the cemetery?” she asked. “Or write something about Jesus on a tombstone?”

“Jesus isn’t dead, so He doesn’t need a tombstone!” said Parker. “But I guess we could bring flowers—like people do at Easter.”

“Well, Jesus actually gave special instructions on how to remember Him,” Dad said. “The bread and cup—symbols of His body and blood—are reminders of the sacrifice He made so we could be saved from sin.”

“Jesus sacrificed so much for us, but we often take it for granted,” said Mom. “That’s why communion is so important.”

“Next time we have a communion service, I’m going to think about Him and thank Him for what He did,” said Parker.

“Why wait till then?” asked Sadie. “We can thank Him right now too!”

–A. W. Smith

How about you? Did you know that communion is a special time to fix your thoughts on Jesus and what He’s done for you? Think about how holy He is and the great sacrifice He made for you out of love. Thank Him for dying on the cross and rising from the grave so you could be free from sin and have eternal life. Remember that He’s coming again and will always be with you.

Today’s key verse: As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Remember what Jesus did for you

Read: Psalm 121

“Why are we making a scarecrow for the garden?” Cora asked her grandma as she put in some more stuffing.

“Well, the scarecrow helps keep the garden safe from crows. The crows love to pull up the sprouts just as they’re popping out of the ground, but when they see the scarecrow, they’re afraid to come into the garden.”

“So the scarecrow is pretty important. I think we should name him,” Cora said. “Let’s call him Patrick, Protector of the Garden.”

“I like that name,” Grandma replied.

When they finished putting the scarecrow together, Grandma and Cora carried him to the center of the garden and set him up. “Okay, Patrick, protect our garden!” Cora exclaimed as she gave him a salute.

Grandma smiled. “Now let’s go have some lemonade and cookies.”

Grandma got a tray of cookies and two glasses of lemonade, and they went out and sat at the picnic table under the big shade tree.

“Making the scarecrow was a lot of fun today,” Cora said as she took a bite of her cookie.

“And having you here to help made it even more special for me,” said Grandma. “You know, each year when I make a scarecrow, I stop and think about how the Lord is always watching over me and protecting me. The scarecrow gives me a visual picture. He looks like he’s keeping watch in the center of the garden, and I envision the Lord keeping watch over me in the same way.”

“But the scarecrow can’t actually see anything,” Cora said. “He just scares the crows away.”

“Right,” said Grandma. “But God sees everything. Proverbs 15:3 says, ‘The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.’ God sees us, and He also loves us. He sent Jesus to save us from sin and evil and to be with us through all of life’s difficulties. So, Cora, if you ever feel like God is far away and you’re all alone, just stop and think of Patrick the Scarecrow and remember what the Bible says about God’s faithfulness to us.”

“I will, Grandma.” Cora grinned. “Can I take Patrick home with me after the harvest?”

Grandma chuckled. “I’m sure it will be fine, as long as you keep him outside.”

–Lisa Fuller

How about you? Do you ever feel like God is far away and doesn’t care about you? When you feel that way, open up your Bible. God’s Word is full of verses that will remind you of how much He loves you and His faithfulness to you. He sent His own Son, Jesus, to die for you, and He promises He will never leave you, even when bad things happen. Trust Him to watch over you.

Today’s key verse: The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. Psalm 121:8 (NLT)

Today’s key thought: God watches over you

Read: Romans 10:9-14

“Mom, can I go play at the park with Logan?” asked Michael.

Mom laughed. “Logan, Logan, Logan. Ever since you met him, all I hear is ‘Logan.’”

“He’s lots of fun,” said Michael. “I think we’re going to be really good friends. It almost feels like he’s the brother I never had.”

“Well, he seems like a nice kid,” said Mom. “Why don’t you invite him to come to church with us this week?”

“Okay,” said Michael, “I will.”

That evening, Michael was excited when he got home. “I invited Logan to church, and he said he’d come!”

Later that week, Logan attended church with Michael and his mom. He came the next week too, and then the next, and the next. And then one Sunday, Logan trusted Jesus as his Savior.

Several weeks later, Michael came home looking worried. “Logan and I were supposed to meet at the park this morning, but he didn’t show,” he told his mom. “I tried texting him, but he didn’t respond. I’d go to his place to make sure he’s okay, but I don’t know where he lives—he always came here or met me at the park.”

“I’ll ask around,” said Mom. “Maybe I can find out what happened.”

The next day, Mom had news. “I’m afraid Logan won’t be coming around anymore,” she said. “I found out his dad is wanted by the police. He apparently learned they were on his trail, and he packed up his family and took off. Seems he’s been on the go like that for a couple years.”

Michael’s face crumpled as tears filled his eyes. “So I’m never going to see Logan again? But he was like…like…”

“I know,” Mom said as she hugged him. “He was like a brother to you. And you know what? Because you both trust in Jesus, you are brothers in Christ. You’ve both been adopted by God. Maybe Logan will be able to get in touch with you someday, but even if you’re never able to reconnect with him in this lifetime, you’ll see him in heaven.”

Michael wiped his eyes. “I’m glad I told him about Jesus. I’m going to pray for him, wherever he is.”

“Good,” said Mom. “Let’s pray for him right now.”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Have you told your friends about Jesus? Do you pray for them? Being someone’s friend involves more than just having fun together. If you truly love them, tell them what Jesus has done for you and pray for them. Ask God to help them understand how they can become a part of His family too. If they already know Jesus as their Savior, pray for them as your brother or sister in Christ.

Today’s key verse: How can they put their trust in [Jesus] if they have not heard of Him? Romans 10:14 (NLV)

Today’s key thought: Share Jesus with your friends

Read: Job 12:9-13

Alicia tried to peel back her baby sister’s fingers. “Mom left me to watch you for five minutes, and you’re already trying to take something you shouldn’t.”

Bella’s hands were in tight fists, and it was hard for Alicia to get back the little ball that belonged with her dollhouse. “You could choke on that. You don’t want it.”

Alicia got her toy back and tried to get her sister settled with something safer. She was relieved when Mom came back and took Bella to get ready for their grandma’s birthday party.

At the party, Alicia greeted her grandma then sat down to listen as her aunt thanked everyone for coming.

“We have a question for you, Mom,” her aunt said. “As you’re turning seventy, do you have any advice for us?”

Alicia’s grandma smiled. “Always live your life with open hands.”

“What does that mean?” Alicia’s mom asked, moving to her aunt’s side.

“Never hold on to anything in your life, thinking you can control it or that it’s yours,” Grandma said. “Always live with open hands, letting God have control. You don’t know what’s best for you, but God does. We can trust Him with our lives because Jesus gave His own life to save us. I am who I am because I’ve been trying to put my life in God’s hands year after year.”

Alicia thought of her sister and her tight fists. The things that Bella tried to hold on to weren’t good or safe. She wanted those things, but she didn’t know they could hurt her.

“You look deep in thought.” Mom stepped up to Alicia, Bella in her arms.

“Mom…” Alicia stood. Her sister’s hands were in tight fists. With her mom’s help, she opened Bella’s hand and took a small stone away from her. “Where did you even get this?”

Mom shook her head. “We should know that when she has her hands like that, she’s trying to keep something she shouldn’t have.”

“That’s kind of like what Grandma was saying,” said Alicia. “We sometimes want to hold on to things when God knows they’re not good for us.”

Mom nodded. “Grandma gave us good advice—to live with open hands and trust God to fill them with good things He wants for us.”

–Emily Acker

How about you? Do you live with open hands, trusting God to take care of you and direct your life the way He knows is best? Or do you try to control everything and hold on to the things you want, no matter what? We often want things God knows aren’t good for us. Instead of clenching on to what you want, put your life in God’s hands and trust Him to fill it with the things He knows are good for you.

Today’s key verse: You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Live with open hands

Read: Psalm 37:23-24; Jeremiah 18:1-6

“I like coming to visit you, Grandma,” Olivia said as she sprayed more cleaner onto her rag.

“It’s nice having you here,” said Grandma. “Miss Cindy was glad for your help with the younger children at youth camp. She wondered if you’d be interested in leading the children’s class at church this week.” She picked up a knick-knack to clean and winked. “You might become a great youth leader someday.”

Olivia lowered her head. “I don’t know. I’m not sure God can use me for anything. My stubbornness gets me into trouble a lot.”

“Hmm.” Grandma gazed down at the picture frame she was holding as she slowly wiped the glass.

“Oh, Grandma, look!” Olivia giggled when she showed Grandma her soiled rag. “This shelf was really dusty.”

“My goodness!” Grandma chuckled. “I guess it’s been a while since I last cleaned it. It reminds me how God can make great things out of dirt.”

“What do you mean?” asked Olivia.

“Well, doesn’t the Bible say we were made from the dust of the earth?” Grandma asked. Olivia nodded. “That means we’re made of dirt,” Grandma said.

After the last shelf was cleaned and everything was put back, Grandma tapped her chin with her finger. “You know, Olivia, if God can use dirt to make something as beautiful and miraculous as a human being, just think what He can do with our faults and mistakes.”

“Like what?” Olivia plopped onto the couch.

“God can use them for good. That means not only forgiving our wrongs, which He does, but using them to help others see how Jesus has transformed us,” Grandma said, nestling into her rocker. “For example, He can use mistakes from our past to help us understand what others are going through and show them His love. Or He can take personality traits that sometimes get us into trouble and help us use them in a positive way instead.” She smiled at Olivia. “Like using someone’s stubborn streak to make them a strong spiritual leader who won’t back down when faced with difficulty.”

“I never thought of it like that,” said Olivia. She smiled back at Grandma. “Maybe I’ll help Miss Cindy with the smaller children after all!”

–Beth Anne Ingram

How about you? Do you think God can’t use you because of your bad habits or past failures? Guess what—He can! He doesn’t let anything go to waste, but finds a way to put it to good use. He forgives your sins and uses the traits and experiences you have to develop qualities in you that help you show His love to others. Trust Him to use every part of you for good.

Today’s key verse: He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Jesus can use our shortcomings