"Dad, look at this!" Daisy pointed to the newspaper. "The paper says this lady is a fortune teller, and it lists a whole bunch of things she says will happen soon."
"Don't believe it," warned Bob, Daisy's older brother. "She's just a fake."
"Is she a fake, Dad?" asked Daisy. "The predictions she's making sound as if they could happen. She says there'll be a plane crash and that we'll have a cold winter and . . ."
"There are plane crashes all the time, and every winter is cold," interrupted Bob. "Even I could predict that! She's not a fortune teller. She's a fortune guesser!"
Dad smiled. "People like to think they can tell the future," he said, "but they can't. Before the Bible was written, God used prophets to give out His message, but not anymore. In Hebrews it says He speaks to us 'by His Son.' He does that through what He's written in the Bible."
"Aren't people like that lady ever right?" asked Daisy.
"Sometimes-but it's probably more often a matter of making good guesses," answered Dad. "In Deuteronomy, it says if a prophet makes even one mistake, he is not of God. Also, remember that Satan is very powerful, and it's possible that he sometimes gives people special knowledge. That makes any attempt to learn the future very dangerous."
"Do people who make predictions like this just do it to fool everybody?" wondered Daisy.
"I bet they do it to make money," suggested Bob. "A lot of people will pay big bucks to have somebody tell them what's gonna happen to them in the future, won't they, Dad?"
"I'm sure that's true," Dad replied, "and I suspect fortune tellers also like the feeling of power it gives them."
Daisy was quiet for a few minutes as she read the list of predictions. "I guess anyone could have predicted most of these things," she agreed. "It is pretty silly to believe this lady has some kind of special power."
Dad nodded. "I'm glad I know the true God, aren't you? He's the only one who really knows the future and cares what will happen to us."
How About You?
Have you heard someone predict the future, or read such predictions? No human being knows what's going to happen in the world. Only God knows, and He forbids you to use so-called fortune tellers to try find out what will take place in the future. Avoid anyone who wants to do that. Be content to trust God to lead you-one day at a time-as you strive to please Him in all that you do.
Today's Key Verse:
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
Today's Key Thought:
Only God knows the future
"I still say I should have gotten a better grade than you did on that math quiz," grumbled Sam as he and Jed walked home from school. "My answers were much closer to being right than yours were."
"Maybe so, but that doesn't matter," argued Jed. "Wrong is wrong!"
"Well, I don't think it's fair," replied Sam in disgust. He waved at a man who was raking his yard. "That's Mr. Brown-he's my Sunday school teacher. Let's stop and ask what he thinks. I bet he'll agree with me."
Jed grinned. "Or me," he said.
So the boys stopped and explained the problem to Mr. Brown. "I think I should have gotten a better grade than Jed," said Sam. "My answers were almost right."
"And I say it makes no difference," put in Jed.
Mr. Brown leaned on his rake. "Let me tell you about something that happened yesterday," he said. "Our sink was clogged, so I looked up the number for Paul's Plumbing. The last four digits were 5519. I made the call, but the lady who answered said I had the wrong number. She said her number ended with 5529." Mr. Brown shook his head. "I hit just one number wrong."
"So . . . it didn't help that you had the number almost right," said Sam thoughtfully.
"No. I'm sorry, Sam, but if I were grading your paper, I'm afraid I'd give you a zero, too. You were close, but you were wrong," said Mr. Brown. "And now before you go, guys, I have a question for you-and it's important to have exactly the right answer. The question is this-how can you get to heaven?"
"Well . . . by being good and doing our best," suggested Jed. "And by giving money to the poor and helping others."
"No," disagreed Sam. "That's not right. It's by trusting Jesus as Savior."
Mr. Brown smiled. "This time, you're right, Sam," he said. "Like I said, it's very important to have this answer right. If you boys have time for a soda, I'd like to talk about this some more. If you're interested, you can call and see if it's okay with your mothers. I have my cell phone right here."
"Okay. I have time. Thanks!" said Jed, reaching for the phone Mr. Brown held out.
How About You?
Did you have the right answer to Mr. Brown's question? No matter how many good things you do, they can never get you to heaven. Perhaps you know the right words-in your mind, you know the right answer. But have you put that answer into practice? Do you truly trust in Jesus as Savior? The Bible says only those who believe in Him will be saved and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Put your trust in Jesus today! (See the ABCs of Salvation at the end of this book.)
Today's Key Verse:
Titus 3:4-7
Today's Key Thought:
Good works can't save you
"It worked, Laura! It worked!" Brian called excitedly to his big sister, who was mowing the lawn one Saturday morning. "We're going to the park!"
"What worked?" asked their mother, who had come out of the house with Brian.
Laura laughed. "Brian was pouting because he wanted to go to the park, but you said you were too busy," she explained. "I told him if he quit fussing and nagging and started saying nice things to you, you would do nice things for him-maybe even take him to the park or . . ."
"But Laura said to tell only the truth," interrupted Brian, "so I did. You are a good housekeeper . . . and pretty . . . and a good mama . . . and I love you."
Mom chuckled. "I believe everything you said," she told Brian. He tugged on her hand, eager to leave. "By the way, Laura," added Mom, "have you tried my suggestion to say nice things about your teacher, Mrs. Hilton? Even better, how about your own suggestion-say nice things to her? Have you done that?"
Laura slowly shook her head. "Not yet," she said, "but I'll try it next week."
"Good," approved Mom. "Keep praying for her, too." She laughed as Brian continued to tug on her hand. "We're off now," said Mom. "We'll be back soon."
Each day of the following week, Laura tried to think of something nice to say to Mrs. Hilton. "That's a pretty scarf," she commented as she passed Mrs. Hilton's desk on Monday morning.
"Thank you," responded Mrs. Hilton, looking startled, but pleased.
When Laura turned in an assignment at the end of the class hour the next day, she smiled at Mrs. Hilton. "I've been having trouble with my math, but you explained this so well, and I think I finally got it," said Laura.
As the days passed and Laura continued to find things about which she could make positive comments, she was surprised to find she was beginning to actually like her teacher. Mrs. Hilton seemed to like Laura, too, and even paid her a compliment now and then. It's strange, thought Laura, but when you think and say nice things about people, they say nice things about you, too!
How About You?
Could praise solve a problem you have with a teacher, neighbor, or friend? Why not try it? But don't forget-God wants you to be honest. He does not approve of flattery. So look for the good qualities in others, and be genuine in your compliments. As the Key Verse says, when your "ways are pleasing to the Lord," they will cause others to "be at peace" with you-to get along with you.
Today's Key Verse:
Psalm 5:9; Proverbs 16:20-24; 26:28; 29:5
Today's Key Thought:
Give honest praise to others
As Laura burst into the house, her mother looked up. "What an awful day," moaned Laura after greeting her mom. "I'll never know why I had to be so unlucky as to have Mrs. Hilton for a teacher two classes a day. She's a grouch, and nobody likes her!"
"Then I guess the verse we read for devotions this morning was just what you needed today," said Mom. "It says, 'In everything give thanks,' remember? We talked about it and decided we should always have an attitude of praise and thankfulness to God, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in."
"Yes, but . . ." Laura looked doubtful. "It's pretty hard-if not impossible-to have an attitude of praise in Mrs. Hilton's class," she added.
"It may be hard, but the right attitude will make the class easier," Mom encouraged Laura. "I'm sure God has some lessons to teach you in that class."
"Oh, I'm sure I'll learn lots of lessons there," grumbled Laura. "Lessons like sit up straight . . . no talking during class . . . stay in your seats . . . blah, blah, blah! I really don't see how I can be expected to give thanks for having the misfortune of being in Mrs. Hilton's class!" She sighed. "Just think! I've got to be in her class, not just once, but twice a day-that's two hours a day, five days a week, all year! Oh, I can't stand it! It's too much!" She clapped her hand to her head and fell into a soft chair.
Mom laughed. "Now, Laura, don't be so dramatic," she said. "You'll survive. You can even win Mrs. Hilton's respect and friendship if your attitude is right. Why don't you try saying nice things about her? I'm sure that would help the situation more than grumbling does."
"Nice things about her? I can't think of any," objected Laura.
"Ask God to help you think of some," suggested Mom. "Talk to Him about it, and thank Him for the opportunity He's given you to learn something new. I think you'll be surprised by the results."
Laura sighed. "I know you're right, Mom," she said after a minute. "Actually, she does explain math stuff pretty good. I guess God knows I need that. I'll see what else I can come up with, too."
How About You?
Do you talk to the Lord every day about the circumstances and people you face? Are there situations you find hard to deal with? Do you struggle to get along with somebody? Does it seem impossible to be thankful for some things that happen or for some people? Pray about difficult situations, asking God to show you opportunities and lessons you can learn from them. Thank Him for teaching you through all the people and circumstances in your life.
Today's Key Verse:
Philippians 4:4-7
Today's Key Thought:
Develop a thankful attitude
Noah cast his line into the water. The bait landed with a small plop. On the other end of the boat, his grandfather quietly held his fishing pole. As they waited for the fish to bite, all was silent except for the sound of crickets chirping.
Suddenly, a loud squawk split the misty air. Noah jumped. The sound came again, and Grandpa pointed to a tall, dead tree across the bayou. A lone owl perched on a top branch, his silhouette dark against the sky. A large crow circled him, squawking each time it passed by. "What's that crow's problem?" asked Noah.
"There's no telling," said Grandpa. "The owl might be sitting too near the crow's nest. Or maybe that crow is just pestering the owl and keeping him from sleeping. Crows do that kind of thing sometimes."
Noah watched as the black bird swooped again and again, its harsh cries filling the swamp. Only the owl's head moved as it turned to watch the crow. "I wish that crow would go away," said Noah. "Can it hurt the owl?"
Grandpa shook his head. "Not likely," he said. "The good Lord gave owls what they need to protect themselves-strong wings and sharp talons. If the crow gets too close, he'll come out on the short end, and he knows it. See how he stays at a safe distance?"
"Yeah, but if I were the owl, I'd fight or fly away or . . . or something," said Noah.
Grandpa chuckled. "Maybe that old owl knows that the crow will get tired and go away after a while," he said. Grandpa pulled up his line and cast it out again. "We could learn a lesson from that owl," he added. "Instead of getting nervous and all upset when things happen that trouble us, we need to quietly look to the Lord and trust Him. We can ask Him to help us know when there's something we should do to change the situation and when to simply wait patiently for Him to work."
Noah nodded and turned his attention back to his fishing line. A little later, he realized it was quiet again. He looked toward the owl. "You're right, Grandpa," he said. "The crow is gone!" He smiled. "I'll try to remember to be like that owl and wait for God to take care of things when I'm upset-unless, of course, God shows me something I should do about it!"
How About You?
Are you troubled by something happening in your life-or in the world? Are you upset by what's going on at home or at school? Do news reports about war or the economy bother you? Life isn't always pleasant, but be assured that God knows all about every situation. If He shows you something you can do-perhaps apologize to someone, be more helpful, or study harder-do that. Otherwise, let people see that you're patiently trusting Jesus to take care of you.
Today's Key Verse:
Owl Under SiegeRead: 11
Today's Key Thought:
Be patient and trust God
