Kids Bible Devotional for May 28, 2024
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Focus Verse
Galatians 1:23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy. (NKJV)
Jump Start
“We don’t make mistakes. We have happy accidents."
Bob Ross, an American painter from the 1980’s and 1990’s, soared to fame by completing an entire painting in under thirty minutes on his popular public broadcasting show, “The Joy of Painting.” With his wet-on-wet oil paint technique, he composed a wide variety of nature scenes each week for many years. He encouraged his students to practice his techniques, often telling them, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”
Sadly, unlike Ross’ works of art, humans do make mistakes. Very few accidents could be described as happy. However, God, like the Grand Artist that He is, can work all things for good. Our missteps can become testimonies of God’s grace, when we allow Jesus to paint the story of our lives.
A great subject in God’s eternal gallery of masterpieces in the Apostle Paul. When we are first introduced to Paul, we know him as Saul, a harsh and merciless opponent of the early Christians. That was until he had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. This event not only changed the course of his life, but the church as a whole, especially for the non-Jewish believers of the first century.
Today's Devotion
Amelia sat on the couch reading a book when her mother came into the room. “Come check out my latest project, Amelia,” her mother said excitedly.
Amelia set the book down and followed her mother to the garage. In the middle of the floor stood a th ree drawer dresser, painted bright red with a shiny black top and gold trimming.
“Is that what you picked up at the garage sale last weekend?” Amelia asked.
Her mother nodded.
“It looks so different than that beat-up old thing you brought home. This belongs in a furniture store.”
“Thanks, and to think that I only spent five dollars for it and another twenty on the paint.”
“I really thought you wasted your money on that thing. Boy, was I wrong.”
Her mother rapped on the top of the dresser. “It’s solid oak. You can only get this kind of furniture in upscale furniture stores. It just goes to show you that, in the right hands, something that seems worthless can be turned into something valuable.”
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right?” Amelia said.
“Something like that.”
“One thing’s for sure, you’re pretty good working with this old stuff.”
Mom bowed. “Well, thank you. Nothing like God, though. He’s the master at taking the messes we make of our lives and turning them into something beautiful.”
“You can say that again,” Amelia said. “Just look at the change he made in Dad over the last year.”
“From a six pack a day to leader of the most attended weekly Bible study group in the church. God transformed him into a brand new creation,” Mom said.
Amelia ran her fingers across the edge of the dresser drawers. “God did for him what you did to this dresser. Turned him into a true masterpiece."
Wrap Up
Paul thought he was doing right when he hurt the church until he came to know Jesus for himself. After that, Jesus used him mightily.
When God looks at us, He does not see junk that should be discarded. He sees a masterpiece in the making. If we allow Him to lead our lives, we can show forth His glory in all we do.
Pray that God helps you stay on the right path He has chosen for you. But, if you should stray, pray that God turns your mistakes into happy memorials of His boundless grace.
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