While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Merciful Father-
I continuously marvel at the fact that You love, chose, and adopted me despite my indecent life, impure motives, and improper attitudes. Mercifully accepting my broken life, You took me into Your heavenly workshop and turned me into a sacred masterpiece fit for a King. My beautiful new eyes will easily recognize lost and lonely souls. With a divine perspective, I'll be able to see beyond their faults to their possibilities.
Unnoticed, unhealthy people all around me are dying for the gift of friendship. Like Matthew, I'll find common ground with them. Risking my reputation, I'll spend time mixing and mingling with them, showing them Your tender mercies. Exposed to You they may be radically changed into valuable works of art for Your purpose and pleasure.
Father, forgive me for making this life a popularity contest. Often I'm more concerned about my rituals, routines, and reputation than I am about restoring relationships. It's not about ME. It's all about YOU. Please enlarge my heart and fill it with more of Your merciful love. Open my eyes to see who needs a touch of Your greatness today and I'll obediently reach out to them in the spirit of friendship because of Jesus. Amen.
Invite a lost and lonely soul into the core of your life today. Be courteous and authentic to them. Spend frequent time with them. Allow the Master to touch them through you.
God says, three times in his Word, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Matthew 9:13, 12:7 and Hosea 6:6. He doesn't want our rituals and routines! He wants our relationship! And, when our hearts are enlarged, full of Him, we'll have a spirit of forgiveness and restoration.
Showing posts with label May 12. Show all posts
Showing posts with label May 12. Show all posts
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Friday, May 14, 2010
Matthew 15: 21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Jesus,
In Your presence You never fail to teach me! Today You taught me how to keep my family from destruction. It's not enough for me to be there for my children. They need more than my friendship. My listening ear and open line of communication will not save them. These things are important, but unless they are on-fire for You, and in love with You with wholehearted devotion, they are drifting spiritually and in danger of suffering terrible demon possession. A lukewarm spirit can lull them into evil and temptation. You have shown me that Satan wants to rob my family of their genuine, fervent faith.
Like this woman, I must persistently seek You for my children. You may test the tenacity of my faith by not responding to me or rebuffing me with harsh words. Like the woman, I will not go away until You hear the cry of my heart and give me what I need for my family! Please give me more Holy Spirit power to remain steadfast and determined in my pursuit for more of Jesus for my children. I will not settle for crumbs! I want the fullness of Your grace and mercy for them. I am boldly approaching the throne of grace with confidence to present their desperate needs to You. I may not see them get right with You, but with Your power I will erect roadblocks and obstacles to stop their race to hell. On my knees, I will pray down conviction on them and pray up protective hedges around them. Please send godly role models into their lives.
If not me, then who will pray for my children? I cannot resign them to fate. I must sweat and labor in intercession for their souls. Whatever it takes Lord, I am going to do battle for them with the swift sword of Your Word and the power of prayer until one of us goes home to be with You. God, please save my children in the name of Jesus! Amen
Do you diligently seek Jesus for Your family - children, grandchildren, saved and unsaved relatives? If not you, then who will seek Jesus to heal and save them from destruction?
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Jesus,
In Your presence You never fail to teach me! Today You taught me how to keep my family from destruction. It's not enough for me to be there for my children. They need more than my friendship. My listening ear and open line of communication will not save them. These things are important, but unless they are on-fire for You, and in love with You with wholehearted devotion, they are drifting spiritually and in danger of suffering terrible demon possession. A lukewarm spirit can lull them into evil and temptation. You have shown me that Satan wants to rob my family of their genuine, fervent faith.
Like this woman, I must persistently seek You for my children. You may test the tenacity of my faith by not responding to me or rebuffing me with harsh words. Like the woman, I will not go away until You hear the cry of my heart and give me what I need for my family! Please give me more Holy Spirit power to remain steadfast and determined in my pursuit for more of Jesus for my children. I will not settle for crumbs! I want the fullness of Your grace and mercy for them. I am boldly approaching the throne of grace with confidence to present their desperate needs to You. I may not see them get right with You, but with Your power I will erect roadblocks and obstacles to stop their race to hell. On my knees, I will pray down conviction on them and pray up protective hedges around them. Please send godly role models into their lives.
If not me, then who will pray for my children? I cannot resign them to fate. I must sweat and labor in intercession for their souls. Whatever it takes Lord, I am going to do battle for them with the swift sword of Your Word and the power of prayer until one of us goes home to be with You. God, please save my children in the name of Jesus! Amen
Do you diligently seek Jesus for Your family - children, grandchildren, saved and unsaved relatives? If not you, then who will seek Jesus to heal and save them from destruction?
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