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

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
us to live.

Today’s key verse: How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Psalm 119:9 (NIV)

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