The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 13:1 (NLT)
1 A wise child accepts a parent's discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 81:8-10 (NLT)
8 "Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me!
9 You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.
10 For it was I, the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Luke 15:1-7 (HCSB)
1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!"
3 So He told them this parable:
4 "What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?
5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,
6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'
7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need repentance.
My observation:
I am so glad that God is a God who loves people that are lost. That is the message of Easter that we just celebrated last Sunday. It is clearly on display for all to see in Luke 15.
Jesus told three parables to illustrate this truth; the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost sons. Yes, I say sons because I think both of them were lost, but it different ways.
Jesus loves sinners, the Holy Spirit draws sinners to Jesus, and the Father welcomes sinners to live in his home forever. Read this passage and think about how much God loves you, even when you have rejected him.
If you are not in the household of faith, God is waiting for you to come to him through Jesus, and find rest for your weary soul.
Luke 15:20-24 (HCSB)
20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.
21 The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 "But the father told his slaves, 'Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let's celebrate with a feast,
24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that your love for sinners is personal. Father, I am so grateful that you died for me on that cross. Father, I thank you that Jesus arose from the grave on the third day for me. Father, I will never get over how much God loves a lost sinner like me. All I can say is, "Lord, I thank you for my blessings every day". Amen.
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1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
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