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Showing posts with label devotions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotions. Show all posts

Friday, July 18, 2025

Devotion The Twist in Jacob’s and Esau's Journey and Object Lessons


The Twist in Jacob’s Journey

(An inspiring short story for kids, told with warmth and clarity)

Jacob wiped the sweat from his brow as the sun dipped low behind the hills of Haran. The sheep bleated around him like they knew it too—another long day, another year passed, and still no change.

He had worked. Oh, how he had worked! Seven full years just to marry Rachel, the love of his heart. He counted down the days like stars in the sky—each one a light of hope. But when the wedding day came... it wasn’t Rachel beneath the veil. It was Leah. 

Tricked. Swindled. Heartbroken.

Kids, imagine wanting something so badly you’d wait nearly 2,555 days for it—and then having someone switch your prize at the last second! That’s what happened to Jacob. And guess what? He didn’t storm off. He stayed. He worked seven more years to finally marry Rachel. That's fourteen years of labor—just to be with the one he loved.

And as if that weren’t enough—his boss, Uncle Laban, kept changing Jacob’s wages. He switched them ten times! Laban said, “Oh, you'll get spotted sheep!” then changed it. “Nope! Only striped ones now.” Yet every time, God blessed Jacob. Striped, spotted, dotted—his flocks grew anyway.

Jacob didn’t always get fair treatment. But through every twist, he kept trusting God. He remembered the dream of the ladder reaching into heaven. He knew God was with him, even in unfair places.

And in the end? Jacob left Haran with Rachel, Leah, eleven sons, and so many flocks they stretched across the valley like waves of wool. He’d become the father of a nation. Even through hardship, God’s promise bloomed like fruit from a thorny branch.

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Jacob’s story reminds us that unfair treatment doesn’t cancel God’s promises—it often becomes the soil where faith grows deeper.

Just like Jacob kept going—working, trusting, and hoping—we can keep walking too. His story wasn’t smooth, but it was sacred. And your lesson will help kids see that their struggles can also shape a stronger spirit.

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Jacob, for the first time, had learned how it felt to be tricked and cheated. I'm sure he remembered when he cheated his brother and tricked him. He also remembered how he lied and tricked his dad. God allowed him to learn a very important lesson. 

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When others treat you unfairly, remember Jacob.

When others treat you unfairly, remember Jacob—the man who was tricked, used, and overlooked, yet never stopped trusting in the God who sees all. His years of labor, heartache, and changing conditions were not wasted; they became stepping stones in the story of God's faithfulness. Despite being mistreated by his own family and deceived by his employer, Jacob pressed forward with quiet resolve and enduring hope. His journey reminds us that our troubles do not define us—our response in faith does. And through every trouble or blessing, God's promises bloom, even in the soil of sorrow.

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Keep working with faith and honesty—God sees your heart.

When life feels unfair or unseen, remember that every act of faith and honesty plants a seed in God's garden—and He never misses a single one. Working with integrity, even when no one seems to notice, is a quiet echo of Jacob's story, where persistence led to promise. God watches not just what we do, but why we do it, and when we choose the honest path, even through disappointment or delay, we're building a life He can bless. So keep going, even when it’s hard. The reward may not come instantly, but the harvest is coming—and it will be full of grace, purpose, and fruitfulness beyond what you imagine. 

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The road might twist, but the destination is still God’s plan:

Life doesn’t always follow a straight path, and sometimes the road twists so sharply that we wonder if we’ve lost our way entirely. But just like Jacob, whose journey included detours, disappointments, and deceptive turns, we learn that God’s plan isn’t derailed by our hardships—it weaves through them. The bends in the road teach us patience; the steep climbs grow our faith. Even when the scenery changes or the path seems unclear, God is still guiding every step. His promises remain fixed at the destination, and every twist along the way becomes a tool for shaping us into who we were created to be. Keep walking—even when the road curves—because what awaits is always worth the journey. 

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, Two Brothers, One Big Difference – Two People with a Purpose, 

crafted for ages 6–12. It spotlights Esau and Jacob, highlighting how God gives purpose to very different people and can change our hearts and mold our lives like a potter does clay. 🌿πŸ§₯🐐


🧑 Lesson Theme:

God can use both strength and humility for His plan—and He can change even the trickiest hearts. We need to be honest and true.


πŸ“– Scripture References (KJV):

  • Genesis 25:23“Two nations are in thy womb...the elder shall serve the younger.”
  • Genesis 27:35–36 — Esau says, “Is not he rightly named Jacob?...he hath supplanted me these two times.”
  • Genesis 32:28“Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel...for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men.”
  • Romans 9:13“Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Reflects God’s choice, not rejection of Esau’s personhood)

🧺 Supplies Needed:

  • Two props: a red scarf (Esau) and a soft lamb plush/toy (Jacob)
  • A mirror
  • A treasure box labeled “Purpose”
  • Two blank cards labeled “Esau” and “Jacob”

πŸͺΆ Lesson Steps:

1️ The Brothers’ Backpacks
Hold up both props. Say:
“Esau was wild, red-haired, and strong—he loved hunting and exploring. Jacob preferred quiet places and liked to stay near home. Total opposites! But God had a plan for both.”

2️ The Choice and the Trick
Let one child wear the red scarf (Esau) and another hold the lamb (Jacob).
“Esau traded his birthright for stew, and Jacob tricked his father for a blessing. Both messed up, yet God didn’t give up.”

3️ The Change in Jacob
Bring out the mirror. Have the child with the lamb look at themselves.
“Jacob wrestled with God and got a new name—Israel. He changed inside, not just outside. That’s what God does when we let Him in.” Both sinned and there were consequences in their lives for those sins.

4️ The Purpose Box
Ask both kids to place their cards inside the treasure box.
“Whether you’re strong like Esau or clever like Jacob, God has a purpose for YOU. Some learn fast; some learn slow. God gave us our own differences and personalities. God has a purpose for our lives if we seek him. God says, Acknowledge him in all things, and he shall direct your paths.


πŸ’­ Thought of the Day

God sees beyond personality—He sees potential. And when we trust Him, even our biggest mess ups He can take both good and bad, work them together for good, if we are trusting and seeking him.   All these promises apply to those who are saved and looking to the Saviour. 


Teach the way of Salvation.

Have a closing prayer for each child and God's blessing.

Give an invitation for salvation through Christ alone and for those who need to be prayed with or want to pray..

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2015© MBPBKBPMRMNMGNANNABENmmnb887


Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Thursday, June 19, 2025

2 Devotions About David One for Younger One for Older

Follow Here: The Lesson of David Virtue, Lesson 2
Folloe HereTeach Helps for Virtue Lessons Memory Verse Stuff

Remember Same Memory Verse Parts: 

2 Peter 1:5-7, then 2 Peter 1:4, then 2 Peter 1:8-9




Devotion: David Stayed Close to God

David was a boy who loved God with all his heart. He wasn’t the biggest or the strongest, but he trusted God to help him—like when he faced the giant Goliath with just a sling and five stones! David sang songs to God while taking care of sheep and always tried to do what was right. Even when he became king, he remembered that God was the real King over everything.

But David made mistakes too. One day, he made a big mistake that made God sad. Do you know what David did? He told God he was sorry. He prayed with all his heart and asked God to forgive him. And God did! David knew that God still loved him. He didn’t give up—he kept loving and obeying God for the rest of his life.

David also wrote songs to thank God and tell others about Him. One of his songs said, “I want to live in God’s house all my life.” David didn’t mean a house with bricks—he meant he always wanted to be close to God. We can do that too—by praying, reading the Bible, and trusting Jesus.

Even though David wasn’t perfect, God still used him to do great things. That’s good news for us! If we mess up, we can talk to God, ask for forgiveness, and start again. Jesus came to forgive us and help us follow God with all our hearts. If you’ve never asked Jesus to be your Savior, today is a great day to say yes to Him!

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**Prayer for the Class**

Dear God, or Dear Father 
Thank You for loving us, even when we make mistakes. Thank You for David’s story that shows how You forgive and help us start again. Please help us be brave like David, loving like David, and quick to say “I’m sorry” when we do something wrong.

Jesus, we want You to be our best friend forever. Come into our hearts, forgive our sins, and help us stay close to You every day. Thank You for always loving us and never giving up on us.  
In Jesus’ name we pray,  
Amen.

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Susan Barker Nikitenko June 16th, 2025© MBMPANNABENPATRKRYTGEORCPLT


Devotion: David Continued in Faith 

David was not perfect, but he was *persistent*—persistent in his love for God, his pursuit of truth, and his readiness to repent. From the quiet hillsides as a shepherd to the thundering courts of kingship, David kept one thing central: his heart belonged to the Lord. Whether he was defeating Goliath with childlike faith, or dancing before the Ark in unashamed worship, David’s life reflected a man deeply rooted in reverence for God. His actions shouted what his psalms sang: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Even when David fell—when sin clouded his judgment and stained his legacy—he did not hide. He ran to the only One who could cleanse him. Psalm 51 is a raw confession of a man who knew his failure but trusted in God's mercy. “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” he cried. That prayer, soaked in tears, echoed into the heart of heaven—and God answered. What sets David apart is not a flawless record, but a faith that always found its way home.

David remained faithful in seeking God’s will, even when it cost him. He refused to harm Saul, honored his covenant with Jonathan, and prepared generously for a Temple he would never build. He was a king, yes—but first, he was a worshiper. A man who longed to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. His desire wasn’t for prestige, but for presence—the presence of God.

And through it all, we see a shadow of something greater. David’s story points us forward to the Son of David, Christ Jesus—who would not just rule with justice but redeem with grace. Jesus is the faithful One who never sinned yet bore the weight of ours on the cross. And just like David, when we come broken and honest before God, we find not judgment, but mercy that restores.


**Prayer**

Heavenly Father,  
We thank You for the life of David—a man after Your own heart. Though he stumbled, You never let go of him. May we learn from his example: to worship passionately, to seek You daily, and to repent quickly when we fall. Lord, let our lives reflect a devotion not just in word, but in faith-filled action.  
 
For every heart in this room, I pray—draw us closer to You. Remind us that faithfulness doesn’t mean perfection, but persistence in pursuing You with honesty and humility. As David sang of Your steadfast love, may we also rejoice in Your forgiveness and walk in Your grace.

And Lord, if there are any here who have never surrendered their hearts to Jesus, I pray they hear Your invitation. Christ died not for the righteous, but for the broken—for those willing to say, "I need You." So today, may someone open their heart to You, Jesus, and receive the gift of salvation, forgiveness, and new life.

In Jesus’ name,  
Amen.

Susan Barker Nikitenko June 16th, 2025© MBMPANNABENPATRKRYTGEORCPLT



Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Walking With Jesus





Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

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