A Heart For Sinners

...I’ve come to call sinners, not people who think they don’t have any flaws.

[Matthew 9:13b, GWT]

Your Loving Father has never wanted to condemn. When people rebel, rather than looking forward to punishing them for their sin, He grieves over the fact that they have been rebellious. He yearns to bring restoration. Jesus Christ, in His words (above), teaches us and shows that God seriously cares about reaching and redeeming sinners. Jesus Christ came to the lost, the broken and the least, to save, mend, and make first. Since such matters to God, as His children, it is our prayer that our hearts will be aligned with His, that we would have compassion for sinners, and desire to reach out to them rather mock them in their situation.

In your walk with God, you may have fallen due to temptations. You may have fallen into sin, consciously or unconsciously. Your Loving Father does not love you less. He yearns for your restoration and His arms are always open wide to receive you when you come to Him in repentance.

Prayer: My Loving Father, thank you for Your awesome love towards sinners and those who are not perfect. Thank You for reminding me that I am still worthy of Your love if I fall into temptation. Father I pray that You give me a contrite heart and renew my spirit to be aligned with Yours. I am convicted today of your gracious love and concern for those who are caught in sin. I pray that You give me a heart of concern for those around me who are lost.  Please use me as an instrument to give them hope and bring them to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Telling others the good news

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven, but whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

[Matthew 10:32-33, NIV]

A young slave girl witnessed of the power of God to her master and linked him to his miracle, (2 Kings 5:2-4). We need not underestimate the power of sharing our witness of God's goodness. The girl shared her witness by way of small conversation which went a long way in bringing healing to her master.

God does signature things in our lives that leave us knowing that only God could have done this. Not everyone has the opportunity or boldness to shout it out loud from the roof top, but we all have the opportunity to share it in our conversations with others. We may know what we should speak of, but allow ourselves to rationalize it out of our conversation for fear of rejection or other reasons. Let us embrace the word of God and be empowered to speak of God's goodness whenever the Holy Spirit prompts us. We may never know the extent of deliverance that comes to our hearers and to those who are hearers will eventually tell.

By declaring God's goodness in your life or His saving grace, you are sowing on Earth. Each time we testify of Christ to someone, we sow a seed. Jesus promises to acknowledge us before the Father in heaven if we acknowledge him before men. He will take our cares and concerns to God as we speak well of him to other people.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please give me the boldness to speak of your goodness to every needy and hurting heart. Help me to to sow seeds in peoples lives without fear. Please water the seeds I sow dear Lord, for them to germinate into great deliverance and achievement. King Jesus, speak of me before your father as I confess you before men, I pray. Amen.

One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - June 11 2010 - Esther 1 - 5 (OT), 1 Corinthians 16 (NT)

Pray for someone today: Let us pray for people who are in lack, for Christians who look up to God for sustenance but are faced with challenges of provision. Pray for people who have put in their best effort to earn a better means of livelihood but still find themselves struggling with lack. Pray that God will remember these ones and be their great provider in Jesus Name. Amen.

Rest For Your Soul

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest."

[Matthew 11:28, MSG]

Amidst the beauty of each day, there could be things that leave us weary. Such could be our thoughts and meditations. It could be the activities we are involved with. It could be a situation that has left us running from pillar to post for answers and solutions. It could be weariness from religion - doing things to be called a Christian without knowing why or experiencing God personally. It could even be our feelings of failure when we fall make mistakes in our walk with God.

Do you find yourself tired because you put in so much effort without results? Or are you weary from worrying and being anxious about tomorrow? Are you burned out on religion? Today, Jesus Christ invites you to get away from those things that burden your heart, that you may take a real rest with Him. The rest He is referring to is rest for your soul.

Rest for the soul is the most desirable rest. You can get rest for your soul when you spend time in His presence worshipping Him and loving on Him. A sure way to find rest for your soul is to sit at Christ’s feet and hear His word. The truths and understanding from His words give you peace and assurance. Understanding the love of God will give you abundant satisfaction. 

Prayer: My Loving Father, You satisfy our needs and give strength to the weary. I cast my cares upon You and take Your yoke that is easy and gentle. I lay down my anxieties and worries to rest in Your love. I take my rest in you, Lord Jesus. May I experience You for myself. Amen.

Suggested Worship Song: Heart of Worship