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

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

Read: Jeremiah 18:3-6

“What are you making, Grandpa?” Elena asked, walking over to the porch swing where her grandfather was shaving slivers from a small block of wood.

Grandpa held it up to show her. “There’s an eagle trapped in this wood, and I’m setting it free.”

Elena looked closely at the block in his hands and then up at Grandpa. “I don’t see anything in there.”

Grandpa smiled. “Oh, it’s there all right.” He turned the wood block in his hand. “I’ll show it to you later this evening.”

When they all sat down to dinner that evening, Grandpa placed a newly carved eagle beside Elena’s plate.

“There you are, young lady,” he said with a wink. “There’s the eagle I set free from the wood.”

Elena’s eyes grew wide with amazement. “Wow!” she said. “It’s so pretty!”

“I want you to have it,” Grandpa said. “And whenever you look at it, I want you to remember that Jesus has done the same with you.”

“Jesus made me like this eagle?” Elena asked.

Grandpa nodded. “You couldn’t see the eagle in the block of wood this morning, but I could. I freed it from the wood and carved it into a special creation. It doesn’t look like an old block of wood anymore, does it?”

“No,” Elena said, picking up the sculpture. “Now it’s a beautiful eagle!”

“Right,” said Grandpa. “And that’s what Jesus does for us. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to save us, and when we put our faith in Him, He sets us free from sin and makes us new people. We’re no longer blocks of wood but new, beautiful creations. But sometimes we lose sight of that when we face difficult circumstances or make bad choices. That’s why I made you this eagle—to help you remember that you’re a beautiful sculpture in God’s hands. You can always trust Him to forgive your mistakes and guide you in His plan for your life.”

Elena looked at the eagle again. “Thank you, Grandpa,” she said. “I’m going to put this on my dresser where I’ll see it every day!”

–Richard S. Maffeo

How about you? Did you know that, if you trust in Jesus, you’re like a beautiful eagle carved out of wood? You’re no longer stuck in a block of sin—He’s set you free and has made you into something new. The Bible compares God to an artist—a potter—molding you into something beautiful. Trust Him to forgive you when you mess up and to guide your steps as you live your life as a new creation.

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

Today’s key thought: Jesus makes us beautiful

Read: Psalm 119:129-133

“How about this pair, Mom?” Lizzie asked. She slid the glasses onto her face and peeked in the eye doctor’s mirror.

“Those look nice on you.” Mom held up another pair. “But try these frames on first before you decide which ones you want.”

“Isn’t it funny,” Lizzie said as she stared at her reflection, “how much we care about how the glasses look when they’re actually just to help me see!”

“That reminds me of something I read in my Bible this morning,” Mom said. “Remember what happened when your old glasses broke and you went to school without them?”

Lizzie nodded. “I tripped on the steps because I couldn’t see.”

“Right. Well, just like glasses, we need God’s Word to help us see clearly. The Bible helps us see how much we need Jesus to save us from sin and shows us how to live as God’s children. But our glasses can’t help us if we don’t wear them.”

Lizzie thought of her Bible sitting at home on her nightstand. She left it out because she liked the way her new pink Bible looked with her pink room decorations, but she hadn’t opened it in quite a while.

“I guess the Bible won’t do me much good if I don’t read it,” Lizzie said. “I’m going to try to start reading some verses every day.”

Mom smiled. “That’s great! As we read God’s Word, He’ll use it to shape our hearts and help us focus on Jesus and the hope we have in Him.”

Later that week Mom and Lizzie returned to the doctor’s office to pick up her new glasses.

“Wow!” Lizzie said as she looked around. “Having new glasses really makes a difference!” She remembered how earlier that week she had read a verse about showing God’s love to others during her devotions. When she had felt angry at school because of a friend’s mean words, she reminded herself of the verse. It helped her not say something mean back. Mom was right, she thought. God used His Word to help me see what He wanted me to do in that situation. Lizzie smiled and reached up to touch her new frames. Just like glasses.

–Jessica Kleeberger

How about you? Have you ever needed to get glasses? It’s fun to pick out nice frames, but the true purpose of glasses isn’t to make you look good—it’s to help you see! Our Bibles shouldn’t be decorations either. They are God’s special words that tell us the story of Jesus and how He died and rose again to give us eternal life. Through the Bible, we can clearly see our need for Him and how He wants

Today’s key verse: How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

Today’s key thought: God’s Word helps us see clearly

Read: Psalm 37:3-7

Something was rubbing against the chain when Lyle tried to ride his bike, and with his mom’s medical bills piling up, there was no way his family could afford a new one.

“Dad said he would fix that.” His sister’s voice came from behind him as he started to work on the bike himself.

“He’s looking over the budget again,” Lyle said. “He never has time.” Lyle tugged on the wheel with all his might, and his mouth dropped open when he broke it right off the bike. “Oops.”

“Lyle!” his sister exclaimed. “Now it can’t even be fixed.”

Lyle put a hand over his face. “I should have waited for Dad.”

That evening Lyle’s dad peeked into his room. “I just saw your bike. What happened?”

Lyle sighed. “I was trying to fix it.”

“I told you I would take a look at it.”

“I know, but you were so busy,” Lyle said. “You have Mom to take care of, and you’ve been trying to figure out how you’re going to pay the bills…”

Dad stepped into the room. “I have been busy. Life has been hard for all of us. I’m sorry.”

“I was trying to fix it by myself and I ended up making things worse,” Lyle said. “I don’t know if you’ll be able to fix it anymore.”

“I’ll look at it.” Dad walked across the room. “You know, bud, you’ve got me thinking about something your mom has been telling me. She said that her sickness and our finances are out of my control. She sees me trying to fix things and tells me I need to stop, that I need to put it all in God’s hands.”

“Because He’s our heavenly Father and knows best?” Lyle asked.

“Right.” Dad smiled. “He’s our Father because He loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for us. He sent Jesus to save us from sin because we could never do it ourselves.” Dad sat down on the bed. “I mess up when I try to handle things on my own. I need to trust Him.”

Lyle nodded. “I hope I didn’t mess up the bike forever.”

“Why don’t we go take a look at it together?” said Dad. “And maybe we could ask God to show us what to do too.”

–Emily Acker

How about you? What do you do when you have a problem and don’t know what you should do? Do you ask God for help and wait for Him to take care of things? Or do you try to handle everything on your own? God loves you and cares about everything you’re going through, and He wants you to come to Him for help. Instead of trying to fix things yourself, ask Him for help and trust Him to know what to do.

Today’s key verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Trust God and wait for Him

Read: Ephesians 4:21-25; Colossians 3:9-10

Camden and Callie grinned at each other as Mom pulled the car up to the sandy shores of the lake. They grabbed their shovels, raced to the edge of the sparkling water, and began to create castles with deep moats in the sand.

Suddenly, Camden cried out in pain and covered his eyes. “What’s the matter, sweetie?” Mom asked.

Camden pointed an accusatory finger at his sister. “Callie threw sand in my eyes—on purpose!” Mom carefully rinsed out Camden’s eyes with clean water. “Thanks, Mom.” Camden hurried off to jump into the beckoning water.

“Callie, could you please come here?”

Callie put her pink shovel down and plopped down next to Mom with a sigh.

“What just happened with your brother?” Mom asked.

“Well, I think he got upset because I accidentally threw sand at him.”

Mom’s eyes widened. “Accidentally?”

“Yep!”

“Is that what you would tell Jesus?” Mom asked softly.

Callie looked down. “No. I did throw the sand at him on purpose. I was mad because he started digging next to my castle’s moat and it crumbled. I’m sorry, Mom! I didn’t want to tell the truth and get in trouble.”

“Callie, you belong to Jesus, right?”

Callie smiled wide. “Yes I do!”

“Do you remember those verses in Colossians you memorized a few weeks ago?”

“The ones about not lying to each other because we’ve been made new in Jesus?”

Mom nodded. “Because we belong to Jesus, we have taken off our old selves, just like you’ll take off your sandy beach clothes later. You won’t put the dirty ones back on again tomorrow, will you?”

Callie wrinkled her nose. “No! I’ll put on new clothes!” She sighed. “I see what you mean, Mom. I’m not the same person I used to be. I belong to Jesus now, so I need to put on the new life He’s given me and trust Him to help me be like Him.”

Mom smiled. “Exactly! Now, don’t you think you should go apologize to your brother?”

Callie jumped up. “Yes! And the next time I want to tell a lie, I’ll remember to put on God’s truth instead. I don’t like dirty clothes!”

–Savannah Coleman

How about you? Do you belong to Jesus? If so, He’s forgiven your sin and made you a new person. That means it’s time to take off your old, sinful habits and put on the new life He’s given you. You’ll still feel the urge at times to lie or do other things that are wrong, but you don’t have to do those things anymore. Instead, embrace who you are in Jesus by speaking the truth and doing what’s right.

Today’s key verse: You have taken off those old clothes…Now you are wearing a new life. Colossians 3:9-10 (ERV)

Today’s key thought: Put on your new life

Read: Proverbs 15:1-4; James 1:19-21, 26

Gemma looked in horror as her chocolate milkshake began to spread over the table. “Why can’t you leave my stuff alone, Elle?” she yelled at her sister.

“I didn’t mean to spill it,” said Elle. Her lower lip was trembling. “I just wanted a taste.”

Mom unrolled some paper towels and took them to the table.

“No, wait,” Gemma said. “I want to drink it! We’ve got to put it back in the cup.”

“I don’t see how you can do that,” said Mom.

Gemma grabbed a spoon and tried to scoop up the creamy drink, but it was no use. “I bought this with my own money!” she said angrily.

“I’m sorry,” Elle said.

“Well, you should have just kept your little hands to yourself,” Gemma shot back. “You’re going to buy me another milkshake the next time we’re at the mall.”

“But I don’t have that much money,” Elle said, tears springing to her eyes.

“Then save up,” Gemma said. She glared at Elle. “I wish I didn’t have a little sister.”

“You can go play, Elle,” said Mom, “but after this, leave Gemma’s things alone.” After Elle left, Mom turned to Gemma. “Elle shouldn’t have touched your milkshake, but that’s no excuse for saying unkind things to her.”

Gemma looked up from wiping the table. “Why are you lecturing me? She’s the one who messed with my stuff!”

Mom frowned. “Gemma, hearing you say you wish you didn’t have a sister hurt her much more than the spilled milkshake hurt you.”

“Well, I was mad,” Gemma said. “I didn’t mean it.”

“We can be angry and still watch what we say,” Mom replied. “When we don’t, words can spill out and make a bigger mess than that drink did. And taking those words back is just as impossible as putting a milkshake back in a cup. You can never take them back—the damage can only be repaired with forgiveness.”

Gemma sighed as she threw the wet paper towels in the trash. “I’ll go apologize to Elle.”

“Good,” said Mom. “And you can ask Jesus to forgive you too. He promises He will, and He’ll help you respond to others in a loving way, even when you feel angry.”

–Debra W. Smith

How about you? Are you careful to not say angry, thoughtless words? Sometimes it’s hard not to let them spill out, but once they’re said, it’s impossible to take them back. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to make things right. When your words have hurt someone, ask for forgiveness—both from Jesus and the person you hurt. Then trust Jesus to help you control your tongue in the future.

Today’s key verse: Let the words of my mouth…be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Control your tongue

Read: Matthew 5:13-16

“What are you doing, Auntie Laura?” Deb clambered onto the stool for a better look at the lemon her aunt was grating. “You said you’d make blueberry muffins…but you’re putting in lemon peel?” Deb grimaced.

“It’s my secret ingredient,” replied Aunt Laura, tapping strands of lemon skin into the batter.

Deb’s grimace remained stamped on her face. “But no one eats lemon peels.”

Aunt Laura chuckled. “No, not right off the fruit.” She measured the salt, saying, “No one eats salt from a teaspoon either.”

Deb giggled. “That would be gross!”

Aunt Laura whisked the batter. “The lemon rind and the salt are both seasonings that add flavor so the muffins will taste better.”

“I don’t understand how that works,” said Deb. She leaned her arms on the counter. “I also don’t understand what Jesus meant about people being the salt of the earth.”

“People can act like salt!” replied Aunt Laura, wiping her hands on her apron. “As followers of Jesus, we can trust Him to help us blend His truth and love into what we say and what we do.” She scooped batter into the muffin tins. “If we do that, then we’re adding the extra ingredient of faith to our words and actions. In a way, we’re ‘seasoning’ them with God’s goodness.”

“I get it!” exclaimed Deb. “If I say and do things that show I have faith in Jesus, then I’m adding flavor like salt does.” She hopped off the stool to open the oven door for Auntie Laura. “But how do I know if I’m doing it right?”

“That’s easy,” said her aunt, sliding the muffin tray into the oven. “When your words and actions line up with what God says in the Bible and the kindness and love Jesus has shown us, you leave a trail of blessings wherever you go!”

“I want to be a blessing,” said Deb. She headed to the sink and picked up a dishrag. She wiped away drops of spilled batter from the counter. “Does that add some flavor to your day?” asked Deb with a grin.

Aunt Laura hugged her and said, “Now that’s a blessing I can savor.”

–Elena Dee

How about you? Do your words and actions reveal your faith in Jesus? Do you “season” your day with conversations and acts that reflect the love He has shown you? Trust Him to guide you in what you say and what you do so others can see His truth, love, and goodness in your life. Can you think of some people you want to help? Show others your faith and be a blessing to them!

Today’s key verse: Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Be a blessing

Read: Romans 12:4-8

Dallon grinned when he saw the mascot of his favorite baseball team coming toward them near the stadium entrance. “Look, Alli!” he said.

But Dallon’s excitement turned to anger when the mascot gave him a high five but didn’t even acknowledge Alli. “Hey,” he called after him, “you didn’t talk to my sister!”

His aunt touched his arm. “Let’s go inside.”

Dallon and his aunt walked toward the stadium, his mom pushing his sister’s chair in front of them. “That was so rude,” said Dallon. “Alli loves him. That’s why Mom brought us to the game today. How could he just go past her like that? It’s like he didn’t even see her.”

“He doesn’t know your sister like you do,” his aunt said. “He didn’t realize she was interested in him.”

“She was moving around like she does when she’s excited,” Dallon said. “If she could talk, she would have been yelling out to him.”

“He didn’t know the way she was moving meant she was excited. You knew that because you know your sister; that makes you the perfect person to speak up for her.”

Dallon’s mom turned toward them, holding out their tickets. “We can all use our voices to speak up for Alli and those like her,” she said. “We know things others don’t because we’ve spent a lot of time with her. God can use us to change how others see her.”

“But we need to be patient,” Dallon’s aunt said. “We’ve had a lot of time to get to know Alli and all that makes her unique, but others haven’t. God has blessed us by putting her in our family, but others only spend a short amount of time with her.”

They made their way into the crowded stadium. “It’s great that you’re willing to speak up for your sister.”

Dallon’s aunt put an arm around his shoulders. “It shows the love you have for her, and it helps others see that God loves her too.”

Dallon looked around. He didn’t see a single person in a chair like Alli’s or who seemed similar to her. He nodded slowly. In Sunday school he had learned about the unique gifts God gave to different people that reflected Jesus’s love, and maybe speaking up for his sister was part of his.

–Emily Acker

How about you? Has God given you a gift that allows you to look out for others in a special way? Perhaps it’s speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves, or encouraging others when they’re feeling down, or being a friend to those who need one. God gives spiritual gifts to everyone who trusts in Jesus so we can reflect His love to others in our own unique way. Trust Him to help you use your gift to show others His love.

Today’s key verse: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: Use your gift to help others

Read: Isaiah 40:28-31

Liam looked out the window of his friend Michael’s house as they finished their lunch. “Look at those trees,” he said. “They’re bending over from the wind.”

“So were we, a few minutes ago,” said Michael.

“It’s too hard to play ball with this much wind. I’m tired. We’ll have to think of something to do inside.” Liam pulled a movie out of his backpack.

Michael’s mom took their plates. “I’m sorry, Liam, but I promised your mother you’d play outside, not watch movies. I’m sure you boys can think of something to do.”

“I know!” said Michael. “You brought your rollerblades, right? I have an idea.”

The boys put on their skates, and Michael pulled four snow shovels from the shed and handed two to Liam.

“Are you crazy?” Liam asked, giving his friend a fake punch. “It’s hot out, not snowing!”

Michael smiled. “Just wait and see.” They stumped around the house to the driveway. “Hold up your shovels like this,” Michael said. He held his shovels high. A blast of wind whooshed, and Michael skimmed along the drive and onto the sidewalk. “Come on, Liam!” he shouted.

Liam held his shovels up, but nothing happened. Grumbling, he bent and struggled against the wind to where Michael stood. Just as he got there, panting, another gust sent Michael soaring. He made a wide circle and swooped over to Liam.

“Are there wings on your rollerblades or what?” Liam demanded. “You took off like a huge bird!”

“That’s what gave me the idea! In church we talked about how even kids get tired and how God gives us wings like eagles. Wings made me think of using snow shovels to catch the wind. The trick is to hold them up in the right direction so the wind does the work.”

Mom walked over carrying knee pads. “That’s what Jesus does for us,” she said. “He did all the work of saving us by dying for our sin, and He gives us strength when we grow tired. When we feel worn out from trying to do things on our own, we need to depend on Him for strength and trust Him to lead us in the right direction.”

“Cool. Thanks, Mom. Let’s go!” The boys put on their knee pads and sailed off.

–Robin Steinweg

How about you? Do you feel tired and worn out? Are there problems in your life you’re trying to fix on your own? Life can be difficult sometimes, but remember that if you trust in Jesus, He’s always with you. He is strong enough to save you from sin, and He promises to give you strength when you face hard times. Trust Him to help you through difficulties and lead you in the right direction.

Today’s key verse: Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (CSB)

Today’s key thought: Jesus gives you strength