He then washes all of the dirt off the outside that we received from being around all the other pumpkins. All of the outside influences from being around others must be cleaned up. Old things are passed away and all things are become new.
Then he carefully removes all of the "yucky stuff" called sin out from the inside. Sin will not have power when Jesus is in us. He changes us from the inside out by the power of his word. That's why it is important to go to church and to read God's word - the Bible.
He carefully removes all those seeds of doubt, hate, greed and fear. He replaces them with the seeds of faith, hope and love. After Jesus is inside, you begin to experience the changing power of God's love in your life.
Then he carves a new smiling face. We are changed by the power of his presence in our life. We become grateful. It can even show in our face.
Now we are going to put this lifht inside. Look! This pumpkin now reflects the light from the inside out. So too, when Jesus, who is called the son of light, lives inside us, he shines through our life for all to see. We can let his light reflect through us to reflect his presence. "Let our light so shine before men that they may be able to see your good works and glorify your father, who is in heaven."
So you see, we Christians are really like this pumpkin! We will never be the same with Jesus inside us.
Prayer:
Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you.
Remove the things in my life that don't please you.
Forgive the wrong things I do and help me forgive others.
Open my eyes to see the beauty you've made around me.
Let everything I say please you.
Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do.
Amen.
Then he carefully removes all of the "yucky stuff" called sin out from the inside. Sin will not have power when Jesus is in us. He changes us from the inside out by the power of his word. That's why it is important to go to church and to read God's word - the Bible.
He carefully removes all those seeds of doubt, hate, greed and fear. He replaces them with the seeds of faith, hope and love. After Jesus is inside, you begin to experience the changing power of God's love in your life.
Then he carves a new smiling face. We are changed by the power of his presence in our life. We become grateful. It can even show in our face.
Now we are going to put this lifht inside. Look! This pumpkin now reflects the light from the inside out. So too, when Jesus, who is called the son of light, lives inside us, he shines through our life for all to see. We can let his light reflect through us to reflect his presence. "Let our light so shine before men that they may be able to see your good works and glorify your father, who is in heaven."
So you see, we Christians are really like this pumpkin! We will never be the same with Jesus inside us.
Prayer:
Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you.
Remove the things in my life that don't please you.
Forgive the wrong things I do and help me forgive others.
Open my eyes to see the beauty you've made around me.
Let everything I say please you.
Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do.
Amen.