TITLE: Brandon's Puppy

SCRIPTURE: John 4:4-14

THE STORY FOR TODAY:

"Here's a prescription for some medicine," said the veterinarian when Brandon's puppy was sick. "Make sure the dog gets it regularly, and make sure he also drinks lots of water. He's dehydrated-that means he's lost a lot of body fluid, and it has to be replaced."

Brandon eagerly tried to follow the vet's orders, but to his dismay, the puppy refused to drink. "How can I make Rusty drink water?" Brandon asked his mother.

"I'm not sure," Mom replied, "but I remember that once when you were little, you wouldn't drink water, either, so the doctor said to give you a saltine cracker. It worked. The dry, salty cracker made you realize you were thirsty."

Brandon ran to get one of the crackers. It took a lot of coaxing, but the puppy finally ate it. He looked at Brandon mournfully as he opened and closed his dry mouth. When Brandon offered water, the puppy turned his head. Brandon sighed. Then it happened! The puppy stuck his nose in the water. He licked his chops. Then he turned to the water again and had a good drink.

"Hey, look, Mom!" exclaimed Brandon happily. "Rusty's drinking."

"Good!" replied Mom. After a moment she said, "Didn't you have a Sunday school verse about drinking water?"

Brandon nodded and quoted it out loud. "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; but the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

Mom nodded. "Jesus said that-He's the Living Water that everybody needs," said Mom. "People are 'thirsty' for lasting peace and joy in their hearts, but they don't always realize it. Boys and girls may be busy with school, clubs, sports, and other things, but none of their busy activities can satisfy them for long. Only Jesus can take away sin and give everlasting life to satisfy their spiritual thirst."

MEMORY VERSE:
Revelation 22:17
   "Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (NIV)
   "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (KJV)

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you realized that you are spiritually "thirsty"? The Bible says to come to Jesus, the "Living Water." He is the only one who can satisfy your spiritual thirst. He's the only one who can provide salvation. (See page 72.)

THE KEY: Jesus gives 'living water'