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

Read: Ephesians 1:7-9

Tinkling bells chimed invitingly as the ice cream truck turned onto Cali’s street. Ice cream was one of her favorite treats, but it was just before lunchtime, so she was sure her grandma wouldn’t let her have anything now. But I can still have a little fun with the ice cream truck driver, Cali thought. She yelled loudly to get his attention as he drove by, then ducked behind a bush. The truck stopped, and the man got out expecting to sell something, but no one came to buy. Cali snickered to herself when she saw his puzzled face.

“That was unkind,” said Grandma, and Cali jumped in surprise. She had no idea Grandma was watching and had come out. “It was wrong for you to stop that man and make him think he was going to earn some money. Now come with me. You need to apologize.” Grandma led the way to the truck, which had not yet moved on.

Under Grandma’s watchful eye, Cali told the driver she was sorry for playing a trick on him. Then Grandma bought an ice cream bar for each of them.

Cali felt ashamed when her grandmother held out the treat. “No thanks, Grandma.”

“But I bought this for you,” said Grandma.

Cali looked at the ground. “I don’t deserve it after what I did.”

“That’s true,” said Grandma. “But I want you to have it anyway—it’s a gift from me.” She continued to hold out the ice cream bar.

Reluctantly, Cali took the treat and began to eat. It tasted so good and was very refreshing on such a hot day! “Thank you, Grandma,” she said.

Grandma smiled. “You’re glad you accepted my gift, aren’t you?”

Cali nodded. “I am, even though I don’t deserve it.”

“We don’t deserve God’s love and forgiveness either,” said Grandma. “But He offers it to us as a gift—a gift we need to accept. Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin so we could be forgiven and have eternal life with Him. But we can’t enjoy that gift until we accept it.”

“Just like this ice cream,” said Cali. “I’ve accepted God’s gift, Grandma. I know Jesus has saved me and given me eternal life.”

–Nance E. Keyes

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Read: James 3:1-10

“Hey, Dad, do you know what Elise told me?” asked Tenley.

Dad put down the book he was reading and smiled. Tenley loved to tell him everything that was going on with her friends at school—even when they were on vacation.

“Elise says Aria’s dad was arrested and taken to the police station,” Tenley went on. “He was driving under the influence—that means he was drunk—and he crashed into another car. Elise says he gets drunk every weekend, and he—”

“Hold on a minute, Tenley,” said Dad. “How do you know what Elise said is true? And even if it is, should you repeat it? You could hurt Aria’s father badly by saying things like that about him. And I’m sure it would hurt Aria to know you’re telling people about her family’s problems.”

“Well, I—” Tenley suddenly stood up and pointed to a nearby campsite. “Dad, look! Over there! Those leaves are on fire!”

Dad and Tenley raced over to the campsite, grabbing a couple of wet towels from the line as they went. A hot log had rolled out of an unattended fire, and dry leaves had started to burn. Tenley and Dad stomped and beat the spreading flames until they had the fire out.

“That was a close one!” Dad said.

“Yeah,” said Tenley. “I wonder where the people are who started the fire.”

As they walked back to their own campsite, Dad said, “You know, Tenley, Mom and I love that you like to share ideas and experiences. But when you share information that’s harmful, it’s called gossip. God says the tongue is like a fire, and you saw how fast fire can get out of control. That can happen with words too. What you say can be exaggerated, and it can spread rapidly and hurt others—like Aria and her dad.”

Tenley nodded. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’ll be more careful about repeating things I hear.”

“Good,” said Dad. “The best way to do that is to trust God to help you speak about others in a loving way. God loves us all so much that He sent Jesus to die for us so we could have eternal life with Him. Trust Him to help you show His love through your words.”

–Judith K. Boogaart

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Read: Psalm 119:9-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-17

“Turn on the radio, Dad,” Kaelyn called from the back of the minivan.

“Yeah,” said Brenner. “It’s boring back here. We’ve been driving forever!”

Dad glanced at the twins in the rearview mirror. “Sorry, guys,” he said. “I hate to ruin your fun, but I don’t like your music.”

Brenner snorted. “What fun? We’re on a three-hour car trip in the middle of nowhere!”

“Hey, Brenner,” whispered Kaelyn. “We can be our own radio.” Brenner nodded, and Kaelyn launched into the latest hit. “Hey, you, standing under the lights; come on, we can dance all night…”

Brenner joined in the chorus. “Ooooh, it’s a party…”

“No thanks,” said Dad.

“Okay, how about this?” said Kaelyn. “Money, honey, it’s the thing…”

“Fancy cars and diamond rings,” sang Brenner.

“Do you two have all the popular songs memorized?” asked Dad.

“Yeah,” said Kaelyn. “They run through my head practically all day long.”

Dad looked back at the twins. “That reminds me of something I read in the Bible this morning. The apostle Paul tells Timothy how important it is for children to study and memorize the Word of God so you understand all that Jesus has done for you and deepen your faith in Him.”

“We study the Bible in church,” said Brenner.

“And during family devotions,” added Kaelyn.

Dad grinned. “Okay, smarty-pants, how about a quiz? Finish this verse: ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and…’”

Kaelyn shot a look at Brenner, and Brenner shrugged.

“Try this one,” said Dad. “‘God is our refuge and strength, a…’”

Brenner grimaced. “It looks like we’ve got some work to do.”

“Reading the Bible and memorizing verses is a great way to keep God’s truth and promises in our thoughts and help us remember who we are in Jesus,” said Dad.

“Yeah,” said Kaelyn. “And it’d give me a break from all those pop songs!”

Dad smiled. “I know just the verse to start with. ‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.’”

Kaelyn and Brenner laughed. “Dad!”

–Jennifer Dillard

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Read: Ephesians 4:1-7; Hebrews 13:15-16

As Dr. Jensen talked about his work as a missionary, Nolan wondered what it would be like to move to a different country to serve God. Dr. Jensen described it as God giving him such a deep love for the people in that country that he had to move there, but Nolan doubted he’d ever be able to make such a big sacrifice, even if God wanted him to.

Nolan listened intently as Dr. Jensen told a story about fixing a truck with the help of his sixteen-year-old son, Joel. “We didn’t have the right tools, and Joel came up with one crazy idea after another. Just when we were about to give up, the engine roared to life! We praised God right then and there.”

On the way home from church, Nolan brought up the truck story. “It’s too bad they don’t have better tools to work with, isn’t it?” He grinned at his dad. “You should have been there, Dad. You have tools to fix just about anything!”

Over the next few days, Nolan often thought about Dr. Jensen’s lack of tools. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to do something to help. I have some money saved up I could use, he thought. But then I won’t have money for a new bike.

Nolan tried to forget it, but he couldn’t, so he decided to talk to his dad about it. “Dad, do you think God wants me to buy tools for the missionaries with my bike money? Could I get what they need with the amount I have?”

“That’s a great idea, Nolan. I can get tools at discount prices.” Dad beamed. “I think the Holy Spirit is helping you love others like Jesus by putting their needs before your own desires.”

Nolan nodded. “Getting a new bike can wait.” As he spoke, Nolan realized he was ready to make a sacrifice to help the missionaries. It’s not as big as moving to a foreign country, he thought. But I think I’m beginning to understand how God can make you care about someone enough that you’re willing to make sacrifices for them. It’s like what Jesus did on the cross for me! He smiled at his dad. “Let’s go pick out some tools!”

–Esther M. Bailey

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Read: Psalm 66:1-5; Romans 8:28-29

The Reed family was seated around their picnic table playing a board game when Eliana looked up. “Oh no!” she wailed. “Not again!”

Parker groaned. Arthur, their collie, was almost totally covered with cockleburs. “I’m guessing you just had to go chase after a squirrel,” said Parker. “Or was it a rabbit this time?”

Eliana sighed. “Dad, why did God create cocklebur plants?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure,” said Dad. “But I once heard of another dog that was covered with cockleburs many years ago. While his owner was picking them off, he noticed the small hooks on the burs and how they clung to each other. That gave him an idea that eventually earned him quite a bit of money.” Dad grinned at Eliana. “What holds the strap in place across the top of your sandals?”

Eliana pulled one strap loose. “It’s called Velcro.”

Dad nodded. “The man who invented it got the idea from those cockleburs. He’s just one of many people who have studied things in nature and then used what they learned to invent or improve things we use in everyday life. God’s wisdom has been discovered in hundreds of the things He created.”

Parker slapped at a mosquito. “I’m pretty sure no one has found any use for mosquitoes though,” he said.

“Actually, scientists have been studying mosquitoes,” said Mom. “They’ve used what they’ve learned from them to make hypodermic needles less painful.”

“Wow, that’s great! I hate getting shots,” said Parker. “And I thought the only good mosquito was a dead one!”

“All of creation shows us that we have an awesome God,” Dad said. “Even things like cockleburs and mosquitoes. Those things reflect God’s wisdom too, even if we don’t recognize it at first.”

“It’s crazy to me that God gave mosquitoes and cockleburs a purpose,” Eliana said.

“It’s the same with things in our lives,” Mom said. “We can always trust God’s wisdom, even with things we don’t understand. He created us and sent Jesus to save us because He has a purpose for us. Even when things happen that don’t make sense to us, we can trust Him.” She looked at Arthur. “All right, let’s get all those burs out of Arthur’s coat before they get tangled in even worse!”

–Vera M. Hutchcroft

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Read: Hebrews 10:19-23

“You can’t trust anyone.” Emma sighed as she walked along the beach with her aunt. “He promised to love my mom forever. And now what? He’s going to leave me and Mom and never see us again?”

“I’m sorry,” her aunt said. “I wish things had worked out better.”

“He promised he was going to be like a dad to me,” Emma said.

“You and your mom have both been hurt twice now,” her aunt said. “It’s terrible, and I’m sorry.” She bent to pick up a shell. “I don’t know what it’s like to have a dad or stepdad leave me, but I know that breakups are difficult. They make it hard to trust.”

“I’m never trusting anyone again. Everyone lies. No one stays with you.” Emma’s eyes filled with tears. “How do I even know you’ll stay? How do I trust God anymore?” She kicked at the sand. “You know what? I don’t.”

“Emma.” Her aunt dropped the shell and put her arms around her. “Sweetheart…”

“I wanted him to stick around!” Emma cried. “Mom was happy when he was with us.”

They stood there together, Emma crying and her aunt trying to comfort her, until a loud seagull got their attention and they pulled apart.

Emma wiped her eyes. “I don’t know if I can trust God anymore.”

Her aunt pointed to the water. “Who made that?”

“God,” Emma said. “He made the whole world.”

“Right,” her aunt said. “There’s a verse in Psalms that says God made the sea and goes on to say that He is always going to be faithful. Faithful…it’s what a couple promises to be when they get married. But people mess up. God doesn’t ever mess up—He will always be there for you.”

“It’s hard to believe that,” Emma said.

“I know. But the One who made you and sent His Son to die for you is not going to abandon you. He loves you too much to do that.”

Emma bent down and picked up a smooth stone. “I think I’ll keep this to remember what you said—to remember that the God who made the ocean is always going to be faithful.”

–Emily Acker

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Read: John 10:7-10

Ryan lay flat on his back in the cool green grass, watching the fluffy clouds floating across the sky above him. When he glanced over at the tall trellis covered with Grandma’s rambling roses, he noticed it almost reached the small balcony with the slider door that led to the guest bedroom. Ryan scrambled to his feet and darted toward the house. I bet I can climb up to my room, he thought. He put his foot on a low trellis slat, pushed away a few roses, and began to climb. He stretched his arms, caught the balcony railing, and swung himself up. But before he could crawl over the railing, his foot slipped. He screamed, and the big pink roses zipped by as he fell to the ground.

“Ryan, can you open your eyes?” asked a faraway voice. “Can you hear me?”

Ryan blinked and slowly sat up. “What happened?” he asked.

“You had a bad fall,” said Grandpa. “We need to take you to the emergency room to make sure you don’t have a concussion.”

After returning from the hospital with a clean bill of health, Ryan felt embarrassed about what he had done. “I wanted to climb onto the balcony to get into my room,” he said. “I thought it would be more fun than just walking in through the door, but it wasn’t fun at all!”

After dinner, Grandpa read from the book of John. “Your experience today reminded me of these verses,” he said. “They say Jesus is the door to eternal life. We may think we can get to heaven by going to church, helping neighbors, giving money to charity, taking care of animals—doing all sorts of good things. But just like you couldn’t get into your bedroom by climbing the rose trellis, none of us can get into heaven by doing good things.”

“Right,” said Grandma. “We can only get into heaven through Jesus. He is the door. Only He can save us from sin and give us eternal life.”

Ryan nodded. “I didn’t use the door when I tried to get into my room today, and that was a disaster. I’m glad I’m going through the door to heaven by trusting in Jesus!”

–Lois A. Teufel

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Read: Genesis 1:27; 1 Peter 1:18-19

“I don’t get it, Grandpa.” Malik scratched his head as he looked at the painting. “What is it?”

“Well, the title is Three Musicians. Try squinting your eyes and tilting your head.”

“I think I see a clarinet and a guitar, but the musicians look a little creepy.”

“That’s the beauty of art,” said Grandpa. “Everyone sees something different.”

Malik and his grandparents were spending the afternoon at an art museum. Malik had never seen so many paintings and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces of artwork hung on walls that stretched on for what seemed like miles.

“Which painting is your favorite, Malik?” Grandma asked.

“I’m not sure, Grammy. Some of these paintings look like they were painted by a three-year-old. Other paintings look way better than anything I could paint. If I had to pick my favorite, it might be Three Musicians. I like that you have to think about what you’re looking at. How much do you think a painting like that costs?”

Grandma shrugged. Grandpa scratched his chin. “I’m sure that painting costs millions of dollars.”

“Millions of dollars!” Malik couldn’t believe it. “It doesn’t look that valuable.”

Grandpa smiled. “It’s not valuable because of how it looks. It’s valuable because of who made it. Three Musicians was painted by Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest artists of all time. Many people consider it to be one of his masterpieces.”

Grandma put her arm around Malik. “Every time I come here I can’t help but think that none of these masterpieces compare to God’s masterpieces.”

“God’s masterpieces?” asked Malik. “Where are God’s masterpieces?”

Grandma smiled. “Take a look in the mirror.”

“Me?” Malik asked.

“You got it. The Bible says God made all of us in His image. We’re God’s masterpieces. Our value doesn’t come from how we look, but from who made us.”

“That’s right,” Grandpa chimed in. “The Bible also says God paid a high price for us. He sent His Son to die on the cross to save us from sin. Jesus paid for us with His life so we could belong to Him.”

Malik took out his phone and snapped a picture of himself with his grandparents. Grandma looked at it and smiled. “Now that’s a masterpiece!”

–Jared Hottenstein

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Read: John 15:12-13

“Have you ever heard people use colors to describe their feelings?” Miss Iverson asked her class.

Carter waved his hand to make sure she saw it. “Like green with envy?”

“How about purple with rage?” Mei said. “Or blue—like when they’re sad.”

“All good examples,” Miss Iverson said. “Now, people don’t actually change color, but some animals do. A chameleon, for example, can quickly change its skin color in response to light, temperature, or other things in its environment. Other animals change color to blend in with their surroundings. They do that to defend themselves against enemies.”

That evening, Carter told his dad about his day. “People use different colors to describe how they feel, but some animals really do change their color. Isn’t that cool?”

“Sure is,” said Dad. “Sounds like you had a good day.”

“Pretty good,” replied Carter, but then he frowned. “Hari and I always play together at recess time, but today he acted like he didn’t even know me! He was playing basketball with a bunch of guys when I came up, and he didn’t invite me to play with them or even speak to me. I think he wanted them to think he was cool.” Carter paused. “Hari was a chameleon friend today!”

“That’s a good way to describe people who change their behavior toward others depending on the situation,” said Dad. “But I don’t think Hari is the only one who does that. Have you ever done something like that, Carter?”

“Well…maybe.” Carter thought of how he treated his little sister differently when his friends came over. “Yeah. I’m not always nice to Layla in front of my friends because I want her to leave us alone.”

“Do you remember the verse you learned at church last week?” Dad asked.

Carter nodded. “Proverbs 17:17. It says friends should love each other at all times. That kind of friend wouldn’t be like a chameleon.”

“No,” said Dad. “That verse describes the kind of friend Jesus is. He shows His love for us all the time, and He wants us to do the same. Trust Him to help you be consistent, loving friend—even when others aren’t.”

“Okay.” Carter sighed. “I’ll remember that when I see Hari tomorrow.”

–Donna Huisjen

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Today's Key Thought:

Read: Psalm 32:1-5; Matthew 6:9-13

Robin knelt at the foot of her bed and bowed her head to pray. It was hard to focus with her little sister, Jenny, screaming in the bathroom.

“No! I don’t want to brush my teeth!” Jenny cried.

Mom poked her head into Robin’s room, a tired smile on her face. “Robin, could Jenny and I pray with you? Maybe we can pray that Jenny will want to brush her teeth.”

Robin nodded, and her sister raced into the room and sat beside her, suddenly an angel. “Dear Jesus,” Robin said. “Thank You for helping me with my math homework and healing Grandma from her fall. Please bless all my friends and family. Help us have a good night’s sleep. Amen.”

“Amen!” Jenny exclaimed.

“Robin, did you forget something?” Mom asked.

“Oh, right. Jesus, please help Jenny brush her teeth without complaining. Amen.”

Mom smiled. “Just one more thing. Do you remember how Jesus taught us how to pray? In addition to thanking God and bringing our needs to Him, we also need to confess our sins.”

Robin sighed. “I just don’t see the point in asking Jesus to forgive my sins every single day. I’ll still make mistakes tomorrow.”

“Admitting our wrongs is about more than preventing future mistakes,” Mom replied.

Jenny tugged on Mom’s sleeve. “Bedtime?”

Robin laughed. “Nice try, Jenny. But you have to brush your teeth.”

“Why does she need to brush her teeth?” Mom asked Robin.

“Because her teeth are dirty and she might get cavities if she waits too long to clean them.”

“But her teeth will be dirty again tomorrow,” Mom said. “And every day after that. Maybe the whole thing is pointless.”

“It’s still healthier to brush her teeth daily,” Robin said. Then she laughed. “You’re not talking about brushing teeth, are you?”

“You caught me,” Mom said. “Confessing our sins reminds us of our need for Jesus and helps us appreciate what He did to save us. Prayer is meant to bring us closer to Jesus in this way.”

Robin turned to Jenny. “If I confess my sins to Jesus, will you finally brush your teeth?”

Jenny sighed dramatically. “Okay, fine.”

–Hannah Chung

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