Mrs. McGinn's New Rule (Read Exodus 20:3-17; James 2:10)

"Mrs. McGinn posted a new list of class rules today."
Greg complained to his parents. "She says she's tired of
everyone acting up. But these rules are impossible. And
She's really coming down hard on us if we break a rule."

"Well, then you better be sure to know the rules and
follow them." replied Dad.

The following day at school, Greg's pencil point
broke. He glanced at Mrs. McGinn. She wasn't looking
his way, so he tapped his friend Brad on the shoulder. Do
you have an extra pencil?" Greg whispered.

"Greg Harris," thundered Mrs. McGinn. "You shall not whisper
in class! You broke a rule, and you'll have to take the punishment.
You'll stay after school for three days, starting tomorrow." Greg
tried in vain to explain.

When Greg's parents heard about it, Mother shook her head.
"That's too bad," she said sympathetically, "but you did know the
rule, so you really can't complain."

Dad took out his Bible. "Tonight let's read some of the rules
God gave," he said. Turning to Exodus 20, he read the laws found
there. "No one could ever keep these rules," said Dad. "And God
also told what punishments were to be given for disobeying his
rules."

"Were they as bad as Mrs. McGinn's?" Greg asked.

"Sometimes the punishment was death," replied Mom. "Sin is
a terrible offense to God. And the ultimate judgment for sin is
eternal death, which is punishment in hell forever."

"But Jesus paid the penalty for our sin," added Dad. "We now
may experience God's grace rather than the punishment we de-
serve. We need to simply accept what Jesus did for us."

Mother nodded. "Although God does expect his children to do
their best to obey him, we don't need to fear eternal punishment.
Jesus took the punishment for us.

"I wish someone would take my punishment from Mrs.
McGinn, too," added Greg with a grin. N.E.K.

How about you? - Are you aware that you have broken God's
rules? You deserve the punishment that follows
disobedience, but Jesus took that punishment on
himself. The "Rule" now is that you must accept what
he has done for you. Have you done that?

Key:  Jesus Took Your Punishment

Memorize: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus"
                                                       Romans 8:1

This is out of the book "The One Year Book of Devotions for Kids"  BUY IT  Copyright @ 1993 Children's Bible Hour

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Date	Title
October 1, 2000	Plenty of Time  (Read Mark 13:32-37)
September 18, 2000	Dead Religion  (Read Matthew 28:1-9)
January 16, 2001	Four Pennies nor a Dollar  (Read 1 Peter 1:18-21)
February 16, 2001	Something Stinks!  (Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
March 19, 2001	The Dusty Doll!  (Read Romans 8:31-39)
April 16, 2001	Clean Glasses!  (Read Psalm 19:7-14)
May 3, 2001	Sammy Squirrel Christians  (Read Deuteronomy 18:9-14)
June 1, 2001	Guilty  (Read Psalm 130)
July 1, 2001	A Clean Environment (Read Romans 6:1-2, 11-14)
August  1, 2001	Ready Brakes  (Read Ephesians 6:10-18)
October  2, 2001	Suffering Persecution  (Read 1 Peter 4:12-16)
November  3, 2001	GOOD ADVICE  (Read Romans 13:8-10)
December  3, 2001	20/20 VISION  (Read Matthew 28:16-20)
December 30, 2001	Science Project  (Read Romans 14:11-13; 15:1-2, 5-6)
February 8, 2002	Rekindled Fire  (Read 2 Timothy 1:6-14)
March 2, 2002	Turn It On  (Read James 1:19-27)
May 2, 2002	A Cover-Up Expert (Read Luke 12:1-3)
June 2, 2002	Antibiotics (Read Matthew 4:1-11)
July 2, 2002	Around and Around  (Read Psalm 116:1-9)
Oct. 2, 2002	Bless Everyone (Read Nehemiah 1:4-11)
Nov. 2, 2002	The Puppet  (Read Ephesians 2:1-7)
Jan. 1, 2003	Alicia Finds a Way (Read Proverbs 4:20:27)
Feb. 1, 2003	The J-Bar (Read Psalm 25:4-10)
March 1, 2003	Pray and Pray (Read Luke 11:5-13)

Added 10/4/02

Last Updated 09/27/2003