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Listen while you read: "The Beautiful Garden Of Prayer"1 (Lyrics) |
Romans 6:23b – The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
The young person sat before me and said, "I stole watermelons only once."
I don't recall even nodding before the rest of the story came out:
- A group of us young people went in a car to large fields known for their watermelon patches.
It was a darkish evening mid-October. As we drove with the headlights off, along a tree row, some of us kept getting out of the car to investigate. We discovered some dew-wet watermelons shining in the pale moonlight on the other side of the almost-leafless trees. We grabbed up some and scrambled back into the car. They seemed small and poor down at our feet. The patch had obviously been harvested. Slowly we drove to the end of the tree row.
Suddenly, out stepped some persons of the collective farm, barely visible in their typical dark clothing! Fearing hitting them, we switched on the car lights. In their arms, they held out beautiful, big watermelons for us to take. We humbly accepted them.
I never stole watermelons again.
The young person who had stolen watermelons was saved from stealing again by the free gift of beautiful watermelons — grace given by those sinned against, to the ones who had sinned — just as God offers grace to those who sin against Him — and that's us all.
We read at Romans 2:4b that "God's kindness leads you toward repentance". Yes, His surprising kindness, His undeserved goodness, His grace. Not punishment, but free grace leads us to repentance and acceptance of His gift.
We read and know that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). And Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).
Jesus, with the gift of His own life, purchased the ticket for our security, our entry into heaven, and our stay for eternity.
We hear over and again that we can do nothing to earn or pay for our salvation; our Lord has done everything necessary for time and eternity. True, very true. So, what is our motive for doing good in the meantime?
When God's graciousness has reoriented our perspectives, "appreciation" becomes a gigantic word. We do good in appreciation for what God has done for us through His grace in Jesus Christ. With our whole selves, our whole lives, we want to share God's goodness, His free gift.
Prayer: Dear God, please direct our lives so that we will live in appreciation of Your gifts. Freely we have received. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit to freely pass on Your great, free, undeserved goodness. Thank You for the vast extent of Your gift: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." Amen.
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Thursday, April 18, 2024 – In East Asia — Pray for more partners who become trainers in our house church planting network in East Asia. We are asking God for around ten of these trainers for each district in our region. May the Lord grant them courage in their next step of faith.
stressful travel ahead: "April 17, 2024: Please pray that our upcoming travel will be okay. A few problems have arisen with..." 
Lovely story! Thanks, Allison.
Beautiful story and application Isabel.
Thank you! For sharing your gift! This great message!
God Bless.
Isabel, thanks for sharing this story and for the lesson drawn from it and Scripture. Blessings.
Spot on Isabel – our salvation is all taken care of. Our good works come from our appreciation for what God has done for us. Thank you and blessings.
Dear Isabel:
That is what I would say as “hitting the nail on the head”. Thank you for your beautiful words.
God bless you and yours always keep you close to Him.
Well, Isabel, that is a perfect story to illustrate our greatest gift. How fortunate for that young person to have had that experience.
Thank you once more for your faithfulness is writing a relevant devotional.
(Texas)
Very well written and a good message, Isabel.
Isabel, I enjoyed hearing your story and can appreciate the Scripture lesson you have drawn from your experience. Keep writing! Blessings.
Thank you for the watermelon devotion and others you have sent. I spent the first 12 years of my life in Manitoba, many years ago, and can actually remember watermelon patches. God Bless.
Hi Isabel,
Thank you for your devotional. You are right – it is by grace alone that we are saved and I really like the your prayer where you ask that our lives will directed in the direction so that we will truly appreciate this gift of life.
Blessings.
Dear Friend,
Thank you for this devotional. The story about the watermelons is a real keeper to be passed on to others whom I meet – especially the teens in my life. The message in the devotional is a healing one for all of us and I think it is especially important that we pass on to our youth the essential message that we worship a God of love and not just a God of judgement. I have been reading the story of “The Prodigal Son” from the Bible recently and some wonderful commentaries on it. One said the story should be called “The Loving Father,” rather than “the prodigal son”. The message seems to be similar to the message of your devotional.
Your prayer was very meaningful. Thanks!