Body of Christ

Keys for Kids Daily Devotional for November 14, 2007
TITLE: Band Member
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:12-18
AUDIO: listen here
THE STORY FOR TODAY:
"Mom!" Tom burst into the house, his eyes glistening with excitement. "Guess what! Even though we moved here in the middle of the school year, I can join the band. Mr. Peters, the band leader, says the school has instruments the kids can use, so I'm going to be in the band and play a trumpet and . . ."
"Slow down. Slow down," said Mom. She smiled at her son's eager face. "I'm glad that worked out for you. When do you start?"
"Tomorrow," replied Tom. "I get my uniform then, too. It's cool. I'll belong to the Bartley Middle School Band."
When Dad heard the big news, he grinned at Tom. "So my son will be in the band! That's great" he said.
But Gretchen, Tom's little sister, frowned. "I want to be in the band, too," she declared with a pout.
"You can't. You're too small," Tom told her.
"I can, too," she insisted. "All you need is a horn and a uniform, and I have a horn already." She held up a toy one she'd been playing with. "I just need a uniform."
"And you have to be big enough," added Tom.
Dad smiled at Gretchen. "Tom is right, honey," he said. "It will be a few years before you're old enough to belong to the Bartley School Band."
Gretchen looked unhappy. "Can I join a different band then?"
"Well, let's see . . ." said Dad. He snapped his finger. "Sure. I've thought of a band anyone may join!" Gretchen smiled at that news, but Tom looked doubtful. "It's not a musical band-it's a different kind of band," said Dad. "It's the band of believers. In other words, it's Christians-they're called the Church. Do you know what you need to become a member of that band?"
"I do," said Tom promptly. "You need Jesus."
Again Dad nodded. "Good," he said. "That's exactly right. And anyone, big or small, may receive Him."
Gretchen grinned. "See, Tom?" she said. "I'm big enough to belong to a band, too-and I already do because I've asked Jesus to save me!"
MEMORY VERSE: In whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14
HOW ABOUT YOU? Do you belong to the band of Christians-the Church? This does not mean the local congregation that you attend on Sundays. It means all believers throughout the whole world-all who have trusted Jesus as Savior. The invitation is open for you to become a member of this group. (See the ABCs at the end of this book.) Become a part of the Church, the body of Christ.
THE KEY: Become a member of the Body of Christ