A Pumpkin With A Purpose
Susan Y Nikitenko
October 10th, 2012
tween to teen - or adult
The farmer's children went out to the field to find just the
right pumpkin for carving. They found
one slightly two big to carry so they rolled it, pushed it, banged it a couple
times and even got stuck into a hole once.
They managed to free the pumpkin from the hole and continued on their
mission. The eldest went to get their riding
mower with its cart, which was in the barn.
He then returned to give their pumpkin a ride the rest of the way home. On the way the mower hit a bump and the pumpkin rolled off the cart
and down the hill. The three children
all ran down the hill to roll it back up the hill and they loaded it back onto
the cart. Then finally they made it to
the front door of their home and brought it inside to prepare the pumpkin for
carving. They went into the house laughing and out of breath. They were filled with excitement as they told
their mother what a great time they had getting the pumpkin to the house.
This pumpkin had a very important purpose. They washed the pumpkin and gathered the tools
they needed to carve it. They cut the
bottom off and dug out all the yucky
stuff on the inside. Then they carefully stenciled the pattern on the face
of the pumpkin. They cut the shapes out
very carefully. Then they placed an
electric candle into the bottom. They
turned the lights off to look at their work.
This was to be a very special pumpkin and it was. Three lovely flowers and the words JESUS
LOVES YOU! shined beautifully. It would be a light for Jesus during the
Fall season. What a blessing.
In the pumpkin patch of life we need to be long suffering. The pumpkin had to endure
some hardship to get where it needed to be.
Sometimes God allows us to go through some difficult times in order to
teach us enduance. Life is not always
easy, but if you are God's child. He has
a purpose for you. If God knows every sparrow that falls to the
ground. Then He certainly is involved in
the details of your life.
One of the verses in
God's Word that has always kept me trusting God is Romans 8:28. God has a purpose and if we believe we will
endure in this hope. God has a greater
purpose. Each one of us have a
purpose. God is getting us to where we
need to be. God is stenciling out His
plan. He's taking out all the ugly stuff
and He's filling us up full of His light.
. He is using the tools necessary
to fulfill His purpose for us. Then He
sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.
He loves you so much and He wants you to be His child. He wants to be your Father in heaven. He has a purpose for you. You can find that purpose by trusting Christ
for salvation. ( Invitation to
salvation).
For the telling of this story object lesson: Prepare a pumpkin with three flowers and the words " Jesus Love You" on the front of a pumpkin with a light. You will show only the back during the beginning of the story and turn it around at the appropriate time for the class - or when you say - He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.
Then Invitation:
As you can see there are three flowers on our pumpkin, each one stands for something very special. This first flower represents grace. God through His grace has provided a way for
salvation. We could never live good
enough to make it to heaven on our own good works. The bible teaches that if we have broken even
one of the commandments we are guilty of all.
The bible also teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God.
The second flower represents faith. Faith is belief in action. God loved us and had mercy on us. He sent us a Savior even though we did not
deserve one. Jesus paid our sin
debt. Because the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Christ alone. (Not of works lest
any man should boast).
The third flower represents confessing. When we understand that we are sinners and
see our need for salvation. We would be
willing to admit we are sinful and have a desire to become a child of God. God's desire is that we become part of His
family. The family of God. He wants to be your father and you His child. If we confess our sins He's faithful and just
to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness . Jesus died for you personally. He paid your sin debt. In victory He arose from the dead, Just as
you will be made alive in your heart. Living
your life to please our Father and no longer live to please yourself.
In humility He wants you to pray, prayer does not save you, but it is evidence of a life humbled before God with a real desire and a real belief in what God has provided for you. Accepting Christ through Faith and taking Him at His Word. You are forgiven. There is now no more condemnation - (no more guilt or shame) you are justified - and declared innocent in His sight.
Your debt was paid through Christ Jesus our Lord.
This Is His Gift To You.
Verses:
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of
works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 3:23 For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 3:23 For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ro mans 8:1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet
offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
