There are fifty-five parables listed in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus used parables extensively in His three-year teaching ministry while on earth. He told stories that pertained to everyday life, stories He knew that people could relate to. His stories always caught their attention, made them think, and gave them hope.John 1:1-5 (NIV) tells us that Jesus is the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”Jesus is our light. Jesus knew that unless He put His teachings into something people could relate to, He was wasting His breath. He didn’t hit people over the head with “thou shalt nots,” as the Pharisees and Sadducees did; He made the gospel personal.So what is a devotional? Is it just a bunch of scriptures put together? Or, is it a story that proves God’s goodness and grace? Scripture that is proven true by personal experience is an important way to reach the lost. Let your life story be the force that brings scripture alive to others, as Jesus did.