Read: Galatians 5:13-14

“Hey, Caleb!” Josh shouted when they got off the bus. “I almost forgot! Tomorrow I’m going to Planet Pizza, and I was wondering if you—”

“I’d love to go!” Caleb started running toward his house before Josh could finish his sentence. “I’ll ask my mom!”

That night, Caleb asked his mom about going to Planet Pizza with Josh. “Of course you can go,” said Mom. “I just spoke with Josh’s dad, and I’m glad you want to help.”

Help? thought Caleb. I’ll always help eat pizza!

The next day, a long line of people waited outside Planet Pizza. “Whoa!” said Caleb. “I hope we get a table. I’m starving!”

Josh gave Caleb a funny look. “Not like they are,” he said. “Follow me.”

They walked to the front of the line. “Hi, Josh!” said the man at the door. “Who’s your friend?”

“Hey, Pastor Eric. This is Caleb. He came to help serve lunch.”

“Help serve?” Caleb was confused. “I thought we came to eat!”

“We will.” Josh handed Caleb a pair of gloves. “After everyone else is served first.” Josh ran to the table of pizzas. “Our church is buying pizza and passing it out as part of our food drive this month. It’s why we’re here!”

“You mean we don’t get to eat pizza until after we’re done serving everyone else?”

Josh handed Caleb a stack of plates. “I think you’ll make it.”

Soon Pastor Eric let in the line of people, and Caleb and Josh helped serve slices of pizza to everyone who came in.

“My name’s Tommy,” one boy said. “I’ve never had pizza here before. Is it good?”

“Good?” exclaimed Caleb. “It’s the best! Here, sausage is my favorite.”

After everyone was served, Pastor Eric prayed for the meal. “Dear God, thank you for this pizza and for every person here, and thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die for us. Help us see the ways we can serve those around us and show others Your love. Amen.”

Caleb lifted his head just as Tommy took his first bite. “This pizza is the best!” he said.

Caleb smiled and slid his own piece of pizza across the table. “Here, Tommy. You can have mine too.”

“Really?” asked Tommy.

“Really,” said Caleb. “It’s why I’m here.”

–Kelly Carlson

How about you? Do you serve others? Or do you always put your own needs before everyone else’s? Even though He’s Creator of the universe, Jesus came to earth to serve and give His life for us. Ask Him to help you see the ways you can serve others and show them His love. Today, find at least one person who could use your help and serve them before you serve yourself.

Today's Key Verse: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Serve others

Read: Acts 16:19-25

Josiah felt like his head was going to explode. “Get married! You’re going to get married? To Ryan? But what about Dad?”

“Josiah, you know that after your dad left, he married someone else. He won’t be back,” Mom said quietly. “I thought you liked Ryan.”

“Not for a dad! And I definitely don’t want Brenner and Simon for brothers either.” Josiah stomped to his room, fighting back tears.

The next day they went to church, and Josiah, who normally loved going, was sad all morning. After class his teacher, Mr. Park, asked what was wrong.

“Mom’s getting married again,” Josiah told him. “The guy she’s marrying already has two sons. I don’t want someone else’s dad! I’ve got to get away.” He sank down into his seat. “I’m going to leave—for good! If they get married, I’ll never be happy here.”

“Do you think you’ll find happiness someplace else?” asked Mr. Park.

Josiah shrugged. “I sure won’t find it here!”

Mr. Park sat down next to him. “You know, Josiah, happiness isn’t something you find. It’s rooted in the joy that comes from trusting in Jesus—from knowing He’s good and rejoicing in all He’s done for you, even through tears. The Bible tells us that Paul and Silas sang even though they were in prison. You know Jesus and have the hope of eternal life with Him, so you can be joyful too, even when things are hard.”

Josiah sighed, and Mr. Park patted his shoulder. “I know it will be difficult at first, but I’ll be here if you need someone to talk to. And you can talk to Jesus about it too. Trust Him to give you patience and show your family His love. Your little sister will need her big brother, and your new stepbrothers will need help too—it will be difficult for them as well as for you.”

Josiah hesitated. “I guess you’re right,” he murmured.

“Give your future stepfather a chance to be part of the family,” said Mr. Park. “He loves the Lord, and I know he loves all of you.”

Josiah was quiet a moment, then asked, “Will you pray for me?”

Mr. Park smiled. “Of course.” They bowed their heads, and Mr. Park asked God to give Josiah comfort, peace, and joy.

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Is something in your life making you unhappy? Are you doing all you can to get away from it? Running away from problems doesn’t bring joy. That only comes from trusting Jesus. Trust Him to be with you and help you through whatever is troubling you. Trust Him to help you show His love to those around you, even in difficult times. Trust Him to fill you with the joy of knowing Him.

Today's Key Verse: Those who trust the Lord will be joyful. Proverbs 16:20 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Trust Jesus for joy

Read: Matthew 24:35-51

Madelyn picked up the tissues and old drawings off the floor and threw them in the trash can. As she was making her bed, her little sister Aria ran into the room. Madelyn’s dad followed her.

“Grandma’s coming!” Aria yelled. She had already told all her friends and teachers at preschool, and she still wanted to tell someone else the good news.

“I know, Aria.” Madelyn picked up a toy and set it on her shelf. “That’s why I’m cleaning my room.”

Aria bounced up on the bed, wrinkling the neatly spread covers.

“Aria,” Madelyn said, frowning as she watched her hard work being destroyed, “why don’t you go watch TV?”

The little girl beamed. “I can’t. I have to get ready for Grandma!”

“By bouncing on the bed I just made?” Madelyn asked with a sigh.

Dad smiled and lifted Aria off the bed. “That reminds me of someone else who’s coming too.”

Aria’s eyes grew wide. “Someone else is coming? Who?”

“Jesus!” Dad said. “We can be just as excited about His coming as we are about Grandma’s. And just like Madelyn is tidying her room for Grandma’s visit, we have to prepare for Jesus’s return. Like you said, Aria, we can’t just sit around watching TV when a visitor is coming!”

“How do we prepare for Jesus’s coming, Dad?” Madelyn asked.

“First we need to get our hearts ready. We do that by trusting Jesus to forgive our sin. Then we need to do what Aria’s been doing. We need to tell others about Him and let them know He’s coming again so they can get their hearts ready too.”

Aria looked around the room. “Madelyn’s room is ready for Grandma, but I know some of my friends at school aren’t ready for Jesus. I’ll tell them about Him on Monday so they can get ready too!”

“Good idea,” Dad said. “He’s the only one who can make our hearts as clean as your sister’s room.”

Madelyn smiled and grabbed Aria’s hand. “Come on, Aria. Let’s go watch for Grandma’s car!”

–Jessica Kleeberger

How about you? What do you do when a friend or family member is coming to visit? Clean your room? Plan fun things to do together? It’s exciting when someone comes to visit—and when Jesus comes again, it will be even more exciting! Will you be prepared for Him? Make sure your heart is ready by trusting Him to make you clean. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Then tell others the good news of what Jesus has done for you!

Today's Key Verse: Always be ready. You don’t know the day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42 (ERV)

Today's Key Thought: Be ready for Jesus’s coming