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Luke 15

“There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents that ninety nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Vs 7

I love this chapter! Three stories; three lessons about God’s unending love. He wasn’t satisfied with a 50% loss (one of two sons), a 10% loss (1 of ten coins), or even a 1% loss (1 of hundred sheep). His greatest joy was when EVERYONE and EVERYTHING was safe at home!

And that, my friends, is my best picture of God! He’ll search for the sheep who ignorantly got lost probably just because he got distracted and unknowingly wandered off until he was lost and didn’t even know what happened. He’ll look everywhere for the coin that got lost through no fault of its own (coins don’t choose to get lost). And He’ll wait as long as necessary for lost sons and daughters who have chosen to get lost and then “come to their senses.”

And in all three stories He throws a party!! He celebrates just like my verse for today says! He never chastised or belittled or accused or blamed; He just rejoiced. And the best part was He never gave up on the sheep or the coin or the son! Never! The son, who went from a selfish “give me,” to a repentant “make me” never quit being His son.

And if I’m not the sheep or the coin or the son, I can learn a lesson from the older brother who was angry when his wayward brother came home and called him “that son of yours,” to his father and wanted nothing to do with the celebration. The wise father reminded the older son of the roll of the faithful when the repentant return—“this brother of yours” was lost and is found. He never stopped being his brother, and that was my reminder today when I might be tempted to be a little critical or judgmental of someone who maybe has wandered away or gotten lost in the shuffle of life, or purposely rebelled against my God. He is still my brother or my sister, no matter what.

Have a great day remembering the never-ending faithfulness of your Father,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” Martin Luther King Jr.

PS Family Worship- 7:30pm in the church. By our missions team as they challenge us with the opportunities to “be our brother’s keepers.” Music, a short message by returned SM Claudia Bauermeister, and then directly to an amazing documentary.

PPS Afterglo-Missions documentary, “Poverty, Inc.” in Woods Auditorium in conjunction with Family Worship

PPPS Thanks again for all who participated in the food gathering for the people in need who contacted us. You gave over 300 items of food, a crock pot, a refrigerator, a microwave, and over $300 in cash!! YOU are amazing!! We brought some of the food to the first lady we mentioned and left some of it with her. She could not use it all and there are other significant issues with that situation that we’re going to continue to try and help. We brought a lot of the food to the Good Neighbor Center so they could distribute it to people in need. And we’re now in contact with the single mom with COVID and two children so we can use more of the food and the money to help here. Thanks again for yet another demonstration of the “Union Spirit.”