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

Read: 1 Samuel 16:7; Romans 3:23

Isabella’s tummy grumbled as she grabbed the peanut butter from the pantry and the new jar of strawberry jam from the refrigerator. Mom laid bread out on two plates and handed her a butter knife.

“I’m so hungry, I could eat a rhinoceros!” said Isabella, unscrewing the lid from the jam jar. She started to stick her knife deep into the middle, then stopped. “Mom!” she cried. “Something’s wrong with this jam! It’s fuzzy and green in the middle.”

Mom took the jar and looked closer. “You’re right, honey. It’s bad.”

“But isn’t that the new jar you bought yesterday?” Isabella asked.

“Yes,” Mom said, looking the jar over carefully. “But I couldn’t tell from the outside that anything was wrong.”

Isabella looked at the jar too. From the outside, the jam looked fine.

“You know what this makes me think of?” asked Mom.

Isabella shook her head, disappointed she wasn’t going to get any jam on her peanut butter sandwich.

“This jar of jam is just like our hearts without Jesus.” Mom turned the jar slowly. “Everything looks fine on the outside, but when we look inside, the moldy decay of sin is eating away at us.” Mom peered at the moldy jam inside the jar. “God sees inside our hearts and knows about the sin that hides there. That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. When we trust in Him, His blood covers our sins and our hearts are made new.”

Mom replaced the lid and screwed it down tight. “I’ll have to take this moldy jar of jam back to the store and exchange it for a new one. And when we put our faith in Jesus, God exchanges our moldy, sinful heart for a new one.”

Isabella thought about how she’d shoved her toys under her bed that morning and then lied when mom asked if she’d put them away. She imagined that lie growing like the green fuzz in the jar and knew she had sin in her heart. “Mom, can I pray and ask Jesus to exchange my heart for a new one? I—I’ve never done that before.”

Mom smiled. “You bet! And we don’t even have to drive to the store to do it!”

–Kelly Hollman

How about you? Do you think you’re a good person? Do you try to do what’s right, like obey your parents and be loving and kind to others? Even if you try your hardest, without Jesus, your heart is like that moldy jar of jam. We all have sin in our hearts, and only Jesus can take it away. Put your faith in Him and He will give you a new, clean heart. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Jesus cleanses us from sin

Read: Mark 10:13-16

“Is something wrong with the macaroni, buddy?” Graham’s mom asked as she watched her son push the pasta from one side of his plate to the other.

Graham looked at his uneaten dinner. “No, it’s fine. I’m just not hungry tonight. May I be excused?”

“I guess so,” Mom said quietly.

Graham headed to his bedroom. He sank into his bed and stared at the ceiling. He didn’t want to tell his mom how he felt. It might make her sad again. His thoughts shifted to his best friend, Gideon, but were interrupted by a knock at his door.

“May I come in, honey?” asked Mom.

“Yes,” Graham replied with a sigh.

Mom opened the door. “I was washing the dishes and couldn’t stop wondering if something was wrong.”

Graham hesitated. “Well, uh, tomorrow is the father and son fishing trip at church.” Tears filled his eyes as he continued. “Gideon and his dad are going. Mom, I just miss Dad so much.”

Mom walked to the bed and wrapped Graham in her arms. There had been such a hole in their family since Graham’s dad left, never even saying goodbye.

“I know, my sweet boy.” Tears trickled down both of their cheeks. The world seemed to stand still for a few moments.

“Graham, remember when you asked Jesus to be your Savior a year ago?” Mom asked. Graham nodded.

“You became a child of God that special day,” Mom said. “And God is the perfect Father. He will never walk away or leave you. When you’re sad or lonely, you can talk to your heavenly Father.”

Graham wiped his cheeks. “Can we talk to Him now?”

“Of course we can,” Mom answered.

Mother and son bowed their heads together and spent time talking to God.

“Thanks, Mom. I feel a lot better now,” Graham said when they finished praying.

Mom smiled. “Do you feel better enough to have some ooey-gooey chocolate cake? If you’re still not hungry, I can just eat it myself,” she teased.

“I think I can force some down,” Graham said with a smirk.

–Monica Faith Vernot

How about you? Has someone ever disappointed you? Have you experienced the separation of a friend, a family member, or even a parent? We live in a sinful world, and no one is perfect. Each of us makes mistakes, and those mistakes often hurt others around us. God wants to hear how we feel. You can tell Him your thoughts, your feelings, and your struggles. He is the perfect Father who will never leave you and will always listen.

Today’s key verse: Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: God loves His children so much

Read: Psalm 139:13-18; Ephesians 2:10

Ava walked into her new classroom feeling nervous yet excited. She had lived her whole life in a little town in Taiwan, but was now starting a new adventure in the big city of Taipei.

After everyone scrambled to their seats, the teacher had the students introduce themselves and helped them choose their class leaders. Ava was a class leader at her previous school, and she hoped to be selected again. However, to her disappointment, her more outspoken classmates got the most votes.

During music class, Ava listened as some students took turns playing the piano. Everyone clapped when they finished. My family can’t afford piano lessons for me, Ava thought enviously. It’s not fair.

In art class, some of Ava’s classmates drew beautiful pictures. I wish I could draw like them, she thought.

In PE, everyone cheered for the athletic students. Bitterness grew inside Ava. I’m never good at sports. I wish people would cheer for me. Maybe I should try to be like them.

“Dad, why are all my classmates good at something and I’m not?” Ava burst out after dinner that night. “Did God forget to give me any talent?”

“Oh, sweetheart, God didn’t forget you,” Dad reassured her. “He loves you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you—that’s how precious you are to Him! You are His amazing work, so you don’t need to compare yourself to others.”

“But I get so mad when I see everyone else doing things I can’t,” Ava said.

“God gives each of us different abilities, and He wants us to praise Him when we’re able to enjoy other people’s talents—not feel jealous and bitter,” Dad replied. “Thank Him for the things others can do, and trust Him to use the gifts He’s given you—whatever they are—to help others and point them to Jesus.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Ava replied. She took the words with her to bed, feeling renewed.

The next day Cherry, one of Ava’s classmates, said, “Hey, Ava, you’re good at math. I’m really struggling. Can you help me?”

Ava was stunned. “Really? I guess I’ve always understood math, but never really thought about it. I’d love to help!”

As Ava took out her math book, she knew she didn’t have to be like anyone else. She was content being herself.

–Hua-Hsin Tsai

How about you? Do you compare yourself to other people? Do you wish you had the talents, looks, friends, or things other people do? Don’t forget whose you are. God created you, and He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you. When you’re tempted to change to be like others, remember you’re the work of His hands. Be content in Jesus and who He created you to be.

Today’s key verse: We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Be the way God created you

Read: Colossians 3:16-24

Cesar kept his distance as his dad lifted the cover from a beehive. “There sure are lots of bees, aren’t there, Dad? And they all look busy.” He grinned. “They’re as busy as bees!”

Dad smiled. “You’re right. Each of the hives has lots of them—thousands, in fact. But there’s always just one queen bee in each hive.”

“What does she do?” asked Cesar. “Rule the others?”

“Well, she’s the mother of the bees,” Dad said. “And you know how busy mothers are! But all the other bees have a particular job to do too. The forager bees collect the food. The guard bees protect the hive from intruders. There are water collectors who regulate the humidity, and plasterers who repair the hives. The scout bees alert the others of opportunities and dangers in the outside world, and there are undertakers that remove dead bees from the hive.”

“Wow!” said Cesar. “I never knew that.”

“They’re like a family,” said Dad. “In a well-run family, each person has special duties. Everyone needs to do their job to keep things running smoothly for the good of the hive.” He glanced at Cesar. “It works that way in human families too.”

Cesar sighed. He’d gotten in trouble the day before for going to a friend’s house when he was supposed to be raking leaves.

“I know it’s not easy to accept responsibility and do your work when you’d rather be doing something else,” said Dad. “That’s why the Bible reminds us that we’re not working for ourselves—we’re working for Jesus. Because we trust in Him, we’re part of His family, and He uses the work we do to benefit others—even tasks that don’t seem all that important to us.”

Cesar looked at the buzzing bees. “Kind of like how all the bees’ work helps the whole hive?”

“Exactly!” Dad said. “And He uses it to help us too. The work He gives us through parents and teachers helps us learn to be responsible and think of others, and it helps prepare us for more things He wants us to do in the future.” Dad rumpled Cesar’s hair. “Can I count on you to be responsible the next time you’re given a task?”

Cesar grinned and nodded. “I’ll be as busy as a bee!”

–Helen C. Eshleman

How about you? Do you accept responsibility when you’re given a task? Or do you complain and put it off for as long as you can? If you trust in Jesus, you’re part of His family, and He uses the work you do to show others His love—even things that seem small or tedious. Trust Him to help you do your work willingly. He’ll use it for the good of the whole hive of bee-lievers!

Today’s key verse: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Accept responsibility

Read: Psalm 91:1-6

Grandma looked up from making breakfast when Noah came into to the kitchen. “You look tired,” she said.

Noah yawned. “I was up a lot last night because of the storm.”

“It sure was noisy!” Grandma remarked as she began mixing pancake batter. “I was up some myself.”

“Did Grandpa go to the barn?” Noah asked. Grandma nodded, and Noah put on his rubber boots and went outside. He found Grandpa milking the cow.

“Good morning, Noah! You look like you could use some more sleep,” Grandpa said. “Did the storm keep you awake last night?”

“Yeah, but I’ll be fine. What can I do to help?”

“You can feed the goats,” Grandpa answered.

When the feeding and milking was done, they both went to gather the eggs. “Hey, Noah, do you see that chicken?” Grandpa asked.

Noah looked at the chicken Grandpa was pointing at and gasped. “What happened? That hen is missing a bunch of feathers, and she’s all scraped up and bruised!”

“Last night this hen’s chicks were bedded down in some tall grass outside,” Grandpa explained. “When the storm came, they were too afraid to move. Now just think, this hen could have gone into the coop and been warm and dry. However, she stayed outside in the bad weather with her wings covering her little ones to protect them. If she hadn’t done that, her chicks wouldn’t have survived!”

Noah listened wide-eyed. “Wow! She really cares for her chicks, doesn’t she?”

Grandpa nodded. “Did you know that God feels the same way about us? This chicken was willing to die to save her chicks, and God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die for us so we could be saved from sin and have eternal life with Him. The Bible even describes God stretching His wings over us, the same way a mother hen protects her chicks.”

“That’s a lot of protection!” said Noah.

“It sure is! And I’m thankful for every bit of it,” said Grandpa.

“Me too!” Noah grinned. “Do you know what else I’m thankful for?”

“What’s that?” asked Grandpa.

“Grandma’s cooking. I hope we can have breakfast soon. I’m starving!”

Grandpa laughed. “Me too! Let’s go see if it’s ready.”

–Elena Ketner

How about you? Did you know that God protects His children like a mother hen covering her chicks? Those who trust in Jesus take refuge under His wings. If you belong to Jesus, nothing can ever separate you from Him—no matter what life storms come your way. Jesus was willing to die to save you, and He will never leave you. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. Psalm 91:4 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: God protects His children