Monthly message for kids

For archives of the World Kids PAL Page (each issue focuses on a different country) and the World Kids PAL Project (each issue focuses on a different topic of life as experienced by children around the world) follow this link PAL pages. (This is also available in Spanish)

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This month's message continues with part 3 of "What love really is"

As we continue to study the detailed description of the "God-kind of love" found in 1 Corinthians 13 we arrive at verse 5, and as you will see, this little verse is possibly the one that makes us all feel a bit uncomfortable as we realize how often we have failed to act as God would like us to! Of course we are all very thankful for the love God has for us, and we honestly want to show that same kind of love to those around us. As we read last time, we try hard to be patient, kind and humble, but in verse 5 we read some characteristics about real love that are very hard to work on!    

Reading the first part of this verse in several different versions, we find that love "is not rude or selfish" (ERV); "it does not dishonor others" (NIV); "does not demand its own way" (NLT) and "...does not act unbecomingly" (AMPC). No matter what our age, from 3 to 93, we are all aware of times when we disappoint ourselves (and God!) by acting in ways that according to this, are definitely NOT loving! Sadly, it is often to our very own loved ones, our family and friends, that we act this way!! Why do we do it when we know we will regret it later? Paul wrote in Romans 7 about struggling within himself to do what he knew was right - it seems it will always be so here on earth, but thankfully JESUS is here to help us!

The verse goes on to read that love "is not irritable" (NLT); "is not easily angered" (NIV) and "is not touchy, or fretful, or resentful" (AMPC)....OUCH!! That gives us even MORE to work on!! Who among us is NEVER touchy or irritable at times? Of course we could use that as the ideal excuse! God is just asking too much of us - nobody is perfect! But I believe that our Heavenly Father does not want us to just give up and be like the rest of the world - He wants us each to continue to become more and more like Jesus so that we can share GOD'S love with the world.

Verse 5 ends with: love "keeps no record of being wronged" (NLT). The AMPC version says: "it takes no account of the evil done to it; it pays no attention to a suffered wrong." Now THAT is just about the limit! We are to pay NO ATTENTION to when we are wronged or suffer from when someone does evil to us?? How can that be possible? Yet, as we remember the Easter story at this time of year, we recall that Jesus, himself, was terribly wronged. He was innocent yet beaten and punished, even wrongly crucified - but he took it all without complaining! That was how he showed his great love for us. It wasn't fair, but because he acted the way he did, he proved he was serving God.

At times in my life when I've felt especially hurt or misunderstood by a loved one, wanting to get angry or complain to God, I've come back to this very verse and been able to calm down and get my attitude right. First I'm reminded that no matter what anyone else does, God wants ME to respond in love. He's asking ME to not get angry or act unbecomingly, and he wants ME to pay no attention to a suffered wrong, but instead PRAY for that person and love them as He does.

#63 What love really is (Part 2)

This message continues to discuss in detail verse 4 of 1st Corinthians 13 and how it helps us get a better understanding of the God kind of love....Read more

#62 What love really is

This message starts a brief series based on 1st Corinthians 13, teaching what the God kind of love is really like and how we can develop it in our own lives....Read more

#61 When you need advice....

This encourage young people to value the advice of their parents and also seek for guidance in the Bible...Read more

#60 Let's celebrate!

This Christmas message looks at different ways celebrations were held in the Bible and reminds us what is most important is the REASON for the celebration...Read more

#59 Big Little Heroes - 5: The unnamed boy

#58 Big Little Heroes - 4: Zacchaeus

Little children know how difficult it is to be shorter than everyone else, so they can easily relate to this story of Zacchaeus whose meeting with Jesus changed his life forever....Read more.

#57 Big Little Heroes - 3: Samuel

The story of Samuel is one that sadly many children can relate to if they have been separated from family members and feel very alone, but God can bless and also use them greatly in spite of that....Read more

#56 Big Little Heroes - 2: David

#55 Big Little Heroes - 1: Joseph

#54 God REALLY loves little children

This message is a good reminder of how Jesus taught about little children and the importance of loving and caring for them....Read more

#53 Have you ever been lost?

#52 Choosing who to follow

This article takes a look at how to choose a good role model....Read more

#51 Preparing to celebrate Easter

#50 Are you the only Christian in your family?

This is an encouraging and helpful teaching for children - especially those whose parents may not attend church or even know of Jesus Christ.... Read more 

#49 Do you love getting new things?

This article reminds children that THINGS on earth all get old and wear out, so it's important to know what our true treasures are....Read more

#48 Is Santa Claus real?

As a Christian, it is often difficult to answer this question from little ones without disappointing them, yet we want them to know the truth. This article is very helpful....Read more

#47 The Holiday Season

#46 Dealing with change

#45 Do you ever feel afraid?"

It is perfectly normal to be afraid of something, and this message encourages us how to overcome our fears...Read more

#39 You are SPECIAL!

Recognizing that we all have different abilities...Read more

Considering the faith of the Wise Men as they traveled to meet the new King Jesus encourages us in our own faith....Read more

#36 The spirit of giving

This special Christmas message talks about true giving and encourages children to think beyond money and material gifts... Read more

#35 You shall not covet

This discusses the last of the Ten Commandments and also the subject of jealousy, which is so important even for young children....Read more

#34 You shall not lie

In this article we discuss not just lies, but also the temptation to gossip or "twist the truth"...Read more

#33 You shall not steal

Here we discuss some of the common excuses that might tempt us to take something that does not belong to us...Read more

#32 You shall not commit adultery

Here we address the 7th commandment, which although it is often difficult to explain to children, nevertheless contains important teaching on how even children need to avoid dirty jokes and worldly temptation... Read more

#31 You shall not murder

This discusses what Jesus says in Matthew 5 about not just murder but even getting angry with a brother or sister Read more

#30 Honor your father and mother

The fifth commandment addresses our relationship with our parents - and it actually contains a promise of blessing for those who obey it! Read more

#29 Keep the Sabbath day holy

Here we discuss what this means today, in the 21st Century, when life is often very different from thousands of years ago when Moses first received the Ten Commandments Read more

#28 Don't misuse the name of the Lord

This month we discuss the third of the Ten Commandments - which deals with "taking God's name in vain" and is a sign of lack of respect for God. Read more

#27 Don't worship idols

This month a traditional Jewish story helps us understand this second of the Ten Commandments, and what is true worship. Read more

#26 Don't worship other gods

This month looks at the first of the Ten Commandments: "You shall have no other gods before me."Exodus 20:3 (NIV) and considers it in the light of the challenges of the 21st Century, especially for those living in countries where other religions are predominant. Read more

#25 The twelve days of Christmas

Did you realize that since the FIRST day of Christmas is Christmas Day (mostly celebrated around the world on December 25th), that means that the twelve days continue on until January 6th? So actually the Christmas Story INCLUDES a New Year message too! Read more 

#24 What will YOU give Jesus for his birthday?

This special Christmas message encourages children to focus on the REAL meaning of Christmas - giving rather than receiving! Read more

#23 Sharing GOOD NEWS!

Have you ever preached in church? Have you traveled to another country as a missionary? Most children and even adults have to answer "No" to these questions but that does not mean they cannot share the Gospel with others. Read this encouraging message to learn more

#22 Delayed obedience is disobedience

If you ever feel tempted to put off doing something you have been told to do, this is a great story to remind you to obey quickly and do the job willingly!  Read more

#21 God is our Heavenly Father

To help children understand that God is truly a loving father to us and wants to develop a pesonal relationship with each one of us....Read more

#20 Help, so that I CAN!

An article that encourages children to learn from the help they receive so they can become more independent while also realizing that their greatest help comes from the Lord. Read more

#19 A five year-old finds Jesus

An inspiring testimony about how our grand-daughter, just  5 years old, recently gave her life to Jesus after watching the amazing full-length cartoon called "Jesus: He lived among us" available free from Voice of the Martyrs. Learn more
 
#18 Choosing the RIGHT road

Sadly many children today grow up in homes where there is no good or positive role model. This message is particularly encouraging to them. Read more

#17 How do YOU see elderly people?

This encourages children to respect and value older people for their experience and wisdom gained through the years. Read more

#16 Celebrate Easter every day!

The story of Jesus' suffering and death on the cross helps us understand the great importance of having a PERSONAL relationship with our Heavenly Father. Read more

#15 YOU can hear from God!

This month we share the true story of how a young boy heard directly from God and was encouraged after the loss of a pet, and it also helped him have a much better understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Read more

#14 Questions, questions, questions!!

Children are always full of questions and sometimes we don't know how to respond - but there IS a way to answer them and also help them learn how to turn to God for their answers. Read more 

#13 Getting ready for the year ahead

Sometimes it is difficult for children to think about the future or be patient to wait for something still months away, but Jesus was a good example for us to follow. Read more

#9 How do you like school? 

Here we learn that God loves us and can use us no matter whether we are top of the class or not - as long as we always do our best. Read more

#8 Do you have a pet?

This message talks about how pets can be a blessing but also how they teach a child responsibility. Read more

#7 Dealing with death

Death is a subject that is often not talked about with children yet it is important to answer their questions about it truthfully. This message addresses the issue in a simple and encouraging way, while also sharing the wonderful truth of the Gospel. Read more

#6 Do you like YOUR family?

At times we all feel unhappy with our family and wish we could be part of a different one, so this is a very encouraging bible-based message that will be a blessing to every child. Read more

#5 How clean are you?

We often think that something is clean because it LOOKS clean...but really it is not! Jesus wants us to be truly clean! Read more

This reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and knows how to take care of his sheep - his followers like us! Read more

#3 Fun ways to memorize bible verses

Here are some great ways to learn bible verses by heart while playing! Read more

#2 Overcoming fear and bad dreams

This is a very practical help for children to be able to handle having a bad dream and learn to trust God for sweet sleep. Read more

#1 Looking ahead

Easter - sadness and joy