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

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

With a big sigh, Peyton dropped her books on the table and flopped into the chair beside her mother.

“Something wrong?” Mom asked, closing her laptop.

“It’s Mila,” Peyton replied. “You know—that annoying girl in my class. I can’t help it—I just don’t like her at all.”

“I know it can be hard to love some people, especially those who seem to make life more difficult,” said Mom. “But Jesus loves them, and He wants us to love them too.”

“I know!” said Peyton. “But I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love Mila the way I’m supposed to.” She sighed. “God must be getting pretty annoyed with me.”

Mom laughed. “I don’t think God’s annoyed with you, honey. He’s always patient and loving with His children. Ask Him to help you remember that so you can treat Mila the same way. Dad and I will pray about it too.”

“Okay,” Peyton said. “I just hope God doesn’t give up on me.” She stood up. “Can I make some chocolate chip cookies, Mom?”

“Sure,” said Mom. “Need any help?”

“Nope! I can handle it.” As Peyton got out the ingredients, her four-year-old brother burst into the kitchen. “Hey, buddy! Want to learn how to make cookies?” Peyton asked.

“Yeah!” Otto jumped up and down in excitement.

“You know, Peyton, teaching Otto to make cookies will take some patience,” Mom said.

“That’s okay,” said Peyton. “I’ll give him all the help he needs.”

“You won’t get annoyed with him and give up?” Mom asked.

“Of course not! I know he’s little and needs extra time to learn things.”

“Well, you don’t think God is less patient than you are, do you?” asked Mom.

“Um…no,” Peyton said, a bit confused.

Mom smiled. “Just like you’ll be patient with Otto as you help him learn to make cookies because he’s your little brother and you love him, Jesus will be patient with you. He loves you so much He died to save you, and He will patiently teach you to love others. He’s not ever going to give up on you. Trust Him to help you learn and grow to be more like Him—no matter how long it takes.”

–Rhonda Brunea

How about you? Are you impatient with your spiritual growth? Are you frustrated that you find it difficult to love people or resist doing things you know are wrong? Don’t give up. Jesus knows you have a lot to learn. He loves you, and He won’t give up on you. Trust Him to be patient and give you strength as you grow to be more like Him and show others His love.

Today's Key Verse: He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Trust God to be patient

Read: Philippians 3:10-11; 1 Peter 1:3-9

“Who’s that guy on TV?” Ashton asked.

“That’s the father of the boy who went missing last year,” Dad said.

“Oh yeah, I remember that. He went missing on a camping trip, and they never found him. It’s so sad.”

Dad nodded. “I can’t imagine what his family must be going through. It was a story we heard on the news and quickly forgot about, but it’s been their everyday reality for the past year.”

“We should pray for them,” said Ashton.

“That’s a great idea,” said Dad, and they prayed for the missing boy and his family.

On Sunday, Dad glanced at Ashton on the way home from the Easter church service. “You look like you’re thinking about something pretty hard.”

Ashton shrugged. “I was just thinking about what Pastor Edwards said—that Christians celebrate Easter every day, not just once a year. What did he mean by that?”

“Well, think of it this way,” said Dad. “If we heard that the boy who went missing had been found and was okay, how would we feel?”

“I’d be happy to hear that!” said Ashton.

“Me too,” said Dad. “But would it change our lives?”

“Well, no,” said Ashton. “We didn’t know him, so even though we’d be happy for him and his family, we’d probably forget about it after a while.”

“Right,” said Dad. “We didn’t have a relationship with him, so it wouldn’t change our day-to-day lives very much. But if his family got the news that he was alive and safe, their lives would change a lot, wouldn’t they?”

“Yeah,” Ashton said. “Because they know him and love him.”

Dad nodded. “That’s how it is with us and Easter. For many people it’s just a yearly holiday that quickly passes by, but for those who know Jesus, it’s our everyday reality. Because we have a relationship with Him, His resurrection gives us new life and affects every part of our lives. When we sin, He forgives us. When we’re hurting, He is with us. When we experience difficulties, we can find strength and joy in His promise to make everything right one day and to put an end to sin, sadness, and death forever.”

Ashton smiled. “I’m thankful we have Easter every day!”

–Courtney Lasater

How about you? Did you know that Easter is an everyday reality for those who trust in Jesus? It’s more than just a holiday that comes once a year. Jesus died and rose again so we could have a relationship with Him that lasts forever, and that means our new life with Him starts now. If you trust in Him, you can celebrate Easter every day! (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Easter is an everyday reality

Read: John 8:34-36; 1 Peter 5:6-11

Elizabeth squealed and grabbed her mom as the tram stopped by a huge alligator in the Everglades. People around them stood to snap pictures of the beast sunning himself at the edge of the road.

Their guide told them some facts about alligators, and then the tram began to move. Elizabeth relaxed as the guide pointed out ibis, herons, and other native birds. She laughed at the funny sounds they made as they were startled by the tram and flew away.

Every time they came to an alligator, Elizabeth would tense up and grab her mom’s arm. Mom tried to assure her that they were perfectly safe. “Honey, you don’t have to be afraid. The alligators rarely bother people. Just relax and enjoy being able to see such interesting creatures.”

“But Mom,” Elizabeth said, “they have so many teeth, and the guide said they move really fast sometimes. I’m scared. What if one climbs up here and eats me?”

Mom laughed. “Oh, Elizabeth, you don’t have to worry. The tram driver can speed away, and I won’t let a gator get up here. It would have to eat me first before it got to you.”

The tour guide began telling a story about a boy who fell into one of the canals a long time ago. He landed on an alligator, and the animal grabbed him in its strong jaws. The boy’s mother jumped in and stuck her arm into the alligator’s mouth. It let go of the boy, and he was saved.

Mom patted Elizabeth’s arm. “That mom was willing to risk her life to save her child, and so am I. And don’t forget that you’re God’s child too! When we were lost sinners stuck in Satan’s grip, God sent His Son to rescue us. Jesus defeated Satan and set us free by dying for our sins and rising from the dead. Satan may still try to get us to sin or make us feel guilty, but we don’t have to be afraid of him anymore. And you don’t have to be afraid of these alligators either.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Can we get a stuffed alligator today so I can remember I don’t have to be afraid? Hey, there’s another alligator!” She leaned forward to get a closer look.

–Robyn Mulder

How about you? Have you ever seen a live alligator? Were you scared? Seeing a creature like that can be scary, but nothing is as scary as being in the grip of sin and Satan. That’s why Jesus came to earth and died—to pay the price for our sin so we could be saved and have eternal life with Him. When we trust in Him, we don’t have to be afraid of Satan. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus saves us from Satan’s grip

Read: John 20:24-29

“Mom,” Ethan said hesitantly one day, “did you…uh…did you ever think about having plastic surgery to fix all those scars on your face?” For as long as Ethan could remember, there had been ugly red scars on his mother’s face and hands. He was used to them and hardly noticed them, but some kids in his class had asked what was wrong with her and whispered about the way she looked.

Mom put her hand up to her face. “I had plastic surgery years ago. Maybe doctors could do a better job now, but it would be very expensive.”

“I know you got those scars in a fire,” Ethan said. “I sorta remember hearing something about it years ago, but I can’t remember what happened. Couldn’t you get out? You never talk about it.”

Mom hesitated, then took a deep breath. “Well,” she began, “when you were just a little baby, our house caught on fire. You were in your crib, and that whole area went up in flames. I ran in and grabbed you and wrapped you up in blankets. I’m so thankful I was able to shelter you as I ran out of the house. We both were all right, but as you can see, my hands and face were burned very badly.”

Ethan stared at her, stunned. “You mean you got those scars saving me?” he asked, his eyes filling with tears. “I didn’t know that!” He threw his arms around his mother. “Knowing you loved me so much makes me love you more than ever!”

Mom squeezed him tight. “I love you too,” she said. “And maybe my scars can help you understand how much Jesus loves you. We’re all helpless sinners—we’re as helpless as babies and can’t save ourselves. So Jesus came to rescue us. He suffered and died on a cross to pay the price of our sin. His body was scarred where a spear was thrust into His side and where nails pierced His hands and feet. He went through that so we could be saved and have eternal life with Him, and He’ll carry those scars forever.”

“Wow,” said Ethan. “Jesus really does love us, and His scars show us how much!”

–Harry C. Trover

How about you? Did you know that Jesus suffered and died for you? He died on the cross so you could have your sins forgiven and enjoy eternal life with Him. He made a great sacrifice to save you because He loves you. Have you put your faith in Him as your Savior? Don’t wait any longer. Trust in Him today. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus died to save you

Read: James 2:1-9

“Look!” Naomi pointed to a tin can outside her family’s apartment building. “Somebody is a litterbug.”

“Yeah,” said Samuel. “Let’s throw that old can in the trash.” As he picked it up with a napkin, he noticed something stuffed inside. “Hey! There’s money in here!”

Samuel and Naomi hurried inside, eagerly discussing all the things they could do with the money. “Hold on!” Dad said when he heard about it. “This is quite a bit of money. We need to see if we can find whoever lost it so we can return it to them.”

The kids gave each other glum looks, but they handed the money over to Dad.

“I found the owner of that money,” Dad told them the next day. “On my way to the subway this morning, a homeless man I often see looked very upset. I asked him what was wrong, and he told me he lost a tin can containing all his money. When I asked how much was in it, the amount matched what we found in this one.”

“But we’re not going to give it to him, are we?” asked Samuel. “He probably got it by making people think he needed it when he was really planning to use it for something bad, like drugs.”

“You don’t know that,” Dad said. “And he does need money to buy food. In any case, it’s his money, not ours, and we need to return it to him.”

Naomi frowned. “But we were going to use it to buy groceries and give to the missionary fund at church! Now it’s just gonna go to waste.”

“It doesn’t sound like you have a very high opinion of the person who lost this money,” Dad said. “But he’s kind of like that old tin can. You thought it was just a piece of trash, but when you looked inside, you found something valuable. That homeless man is valuable too. God loves him so much that He sent Jesus to die for him. As His children, God wants us to show that man how loved and valuable he is.”

Samuel and Naomi looked at each other. “Okay, Dad,” Samuel said. “We’ll return the money.”

“Yeah,” said Naomi. “And let’s make him a card that says how much Jesus loves him.”

–Harry C. Trover

How about you? Do you show God’s love to everyone and treat them with respect? Or just people you think are worthy of it? None of us are worthy of God’s love—we’re all sinners who have done bad things. But God loves us anyway. He loves us so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to die for our sins! And He wants us to show that same love to others, no matter who they are.

Today's Key Verse: If you look on one man as more important than another, you are sinning. James 2:9 (NLV)

Today's Key Thought: Show God’s love to everyone