X-Ray Machine

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13

Corbin climbed into the dentist's chair and laid his head back to have his teeth checked by Dr. Karam. "I don't see any cavities today," Dr. Karam announced after a few minutes, "but we'll get a better look with an X-ray."

As Corbin waited for the X-ray photos, he looked around the dentist's office. On the wall was a poster with pictures and instructions on how to brush teeth, and on a shelf, he saw a model of a tooth. "You must like teeth," he said to Dr. Karam.

The dentist laughed. "Teeth are important, and we need to keep them healthy. Tell me, Corbin--how often do you brush your teeth?"

"Every day," said Corbin. "Morning and night! Mom makes me."

Just then Dr. Karam's assistant pulled up the X-rays of Corbin's teeth on the computer screen. "Uh-oh," said Dr. Karam as he studied the pictures. "You have some decay in one of your molars."

Corbin groaned. "I almost wish X-ray machines didn't exist. Then you wouldn't know about the decay and drill my tooth."

"Hey, now!" protested the dentist. "You should be glad we found the decay and can clean it out before it gets worse. Relax!"

"Relax?" asked Corbin as he watched Dr. Karam prepare a drill.

Dr. Karam smiled. "Yes, relax. There's only a small amount of decay, and it won't take long to fix it." After he finished drilling, the dentist spoke thoughtfully. "You know, Corbin, an X-ray machine is something like the Bible."

Corbin grinned. "Going to the same church as my dentist means I get a lesson here as well as on Sunday, huh?"

Dr. Karam chuckled. "Yes, and it's a good lesson. You see, the X-ray showed decay that I couldn't see with my eyes. And sometimes God's Word shows us sin--decay in our lives--that no one else can see. When that happens, we need to get it drilled out before it causes more damage."

"That means confessing it to Jesus and trusting Him to forgive us, right?" asked Corbin.

"Right!" said Dr. Karam. "When the Bible shows us sin in our lives that needs drilling out, Jesus will remove it for us and make us clean."

–Lucinda J. Rollings

How About You?
Do you use God's X-ray machine--the Bible--to look at your heart and life? Sin may be hidden from others, but it's never hidden from God. Sometimes you may not realize you're doing something wrong until it's pointed out to you. Whenever God's Word makes you aware of sin in your life, confess it to Jesus. Trust Him to forgive you and help you turn from it.
Today's Key Verse:
The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (NIV) (Hebrews 4:12)
Today's Key Thought:
The Bible reveals sin in your life