Jesus taught us that love seeks. The father of the prodigal son saw his wayward son long before he reached the father's home. The loving, longing, hungry heart of the father drove him to run to meet and welcome back his long-lost son. (Google image, Prodigal son)
The loving heart of a good shepherd cannot rest content with ninety-nine sheep in the safety of the sheepfold as long as one is lost in the night. Seeking love drives him out alone across the hills and valleys seeking, seeking for the lost sheep until he finds it.
And when he does, he joyfully puts the sheep on his shoulders and takes the sheep home. He calls to his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him (Luke 15:3-7).
THE GREAT JOY WHEN THE LOST IS FOUND
Tremendous joy comes when the lost is found. Heaven and earth rejoice. The person newly saved finds a thrilling new joy in his heart—the joy of the Lord. Often the new believer's family rejoices at the change Jesus has made.
The church of a soul-winning pastor is a happy church. Think of the constant joy of new brothers and sisters in the family of God. The joy of personal testimonies of God's transforming grace, the joy as church members catch the vision of soul-winning and then themselves experience the thrill of leading people to Christ.
No leader's joy compares with the soul-winner's joy, the joy of seeing the answers to prayers for the lost.
Jesus spoke of joy in heaven over each repentant sinner. He did not say who rejoices, but I am sure all heaven rejoices. Certainly the angels rejoice over the triumphs of the gospel. How they must thrill to watch our gospel ministry when the Holy Spirit is working mightily (1 Peter 1:12).
But Jesus does not specifically say the angels rejoice. He says there is joy in heaven (Luke 15:7) and joy "in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (v. 10).
To whom is He referring? Relatives or friends of the new believer who are already in heaven? Probably they are informed, but we cannot be sure. If they are, they will greatly rejoice.
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (Dan. 12:3).
What greater wisdom can you show than winning souls, when the salvation of each soul is so important to God?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
Ablaze for God
#32 Love for Souls is a Seeking Love
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel(pp. 118-119) ZondervanPublishingHouse
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| (Google image) Lady praying |
Father, help us seek the lost and those who have wondered away from fellowship with You and Your people.
As Jesus spoke of there being "joy in heaven over one sinner that repents," may we experience that joy when we are instumental in seeing someone give their heart and life to Him.
May our churches become soul-winning churches, and may we become thrilled in all that Your Spirit will do in us and in our services, as revival comes!
We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
May our churches become soul-winning churches, and may we become thrilled in all that Your Spirit will do in us and in our services, as revival comes!
We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
Jeremiah 50:6 "My people have become lost sheep;
Their shepherds have led them astray. They have
made them turn aside on the mountains; They have gone along from mountain to hill And have forgotten
their resting place."
Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted And binds
up their wounds."
Heb. 6:10 (KJV) "For God is not unrighteous to forget
your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed
toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints,
and do minister."
Today's quotes-
~ Michael Catt- "I fear the missing ingredient in most churches today is prayer. Without prayer people cannot experience revival. Without prayer a church cannot survive making changes. Without prayer there cannot be unity in the church. In a prayer environment God can make the impossible possible." (p. 56, Prepare for RAIN. The story about the church producing Facing the Giants)
Special guest post:
"Mud tries hard to suck me down
Tries to take my shoes and keep me
But I stand firm and keep on going
Shoes stay on but mud is showing
Remnants of my springtime battle
With that soft and gushy ground"
Tries to take my shoes and keep me
But I stand firm and keep on going
Shoes stay on but mud is showing
Remnants of my springtime battle
With that soft and gushy ground"
Today's question-
Do you believe that God has a purpose in bringing His people together?
We have been placed strategically to accomplish His will. He's searching for folks to become His righteousness, with divine changes that honor Him. (See 1 Peter 1:3-5).
God's Heart is for His sheep who are completely lost and without shepherds to guide them. We're urged to spend time as His intercessors, seeking them to bring them back to Him. We have the message they need to hear! Jesus saves and longs for us to be willing to seek out the hungry of heart, and do what we can to urge them back to Him.
Do you believe that God has a purpose in bringing His people together?
We have been placed strategically to accomplish His will. He's searching for folks to become His righteousness, with divine changes that honor Him. (See 1 Peter 1:3-5).
God's Heart is for His sheep who are completely lost and without shepherds to guide them. We're urged to spend time as His intercessors, seeking them to bring them back to Him. We have the message they need to hear! Jesus saves and longs for us to be willing to seek out the hungry of heart, and do what we can to urge them back to Him.
Upcoming posts-
30 of 60 Benefits of Praying in Tongues
March 3rd- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
#33 You Have No Alternative but to Seek the Lost
6th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#34 How to Seek the Lost Lovingly and Effectively
8th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
30 More Benefits of Praying in Tongues
10th- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
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| (Google image) Early Spring blossoms |
(Jean's published book)
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