Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 ESV)

Jesus gives us a great reminder that his heart is always for the lost and this is how we need to be. Let us challenge ourselves to desire a heart for those who need to know the love and the joy of Christ and present that love to them.

And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’“ (Luke 15:31, 32 ESV)

But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.“ (Luke 14:10, 11 ESV)

There is great value in those who control their pride and as these words from the mouth of Jesus ask we are always to put ourselves lower, to be servants just as he came to serve, not be served. Humbling ourselves leads to great blessing and honor not only here but heaven as well. Let that be our challenge today to keep our pride in check putting others before ourselves in fully representing our savior to this world.

Luke 12v29-34
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. INSTEAD, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Where is our treasure? In heaven with the works of the love of Christ or in worldly possession and success? Where is the alliance of our heart? Let us challenge ourselves to seek what our deepest desires are and ask where we find strength and comfort. May they all lead to salvation, thankfulness, and transformation in the love of God to His people through Jesus.

You Make Me Wanna - Usher

Luke 11v11-13
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!“

We can’t underestimate the power of our God especially in prayer asking for His provision in our lives. If earthly Fathers provide for their children how much more will the Father of the universe take care of us. We just have to ask in faith.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 ESV)

Martha has a great heart but she is caught up in so many things that she is missing the teaching and blessing of Jesus in her own home. Often we fail to take time and be still and just take in the presence of God in His creation around us and Christ’s Spirit in us, because we are caught up in all the world asks of us. Today let us take time at lunch or whenever to just breathe, to meditate on the power and presence of God in our lives being thankful for who He is and what He has done for us and reap the blessing of perspective on what really matters and will never leave us.