Thursday, February 3, 2022

Listen to the Word
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” (Luke 15:4-6)

Jesus paints a picture of a God who rejoices when the lost are found.

What does the shepherd do when he finds the sheep? He doesn’t say, “You stupid animal, I’ll teach you a thing or two about running away.” He doesn’t beat the sheep and drive it back to the flock. No - he lovingly, joyfully picks up the sheep and carries it home. Then he throws a big party to celebrate that the valuable thing that was lost is now found.

When you return to God, God smiles, and heaven celebrates!

Live the Word
Ask God to help you see everyone you meet today through his eyes. Ask for the vision to see them as people who are extremely valuable to God - people whose return to him would prompt a huge celebration in heaven.