Gracious heavenly Father, thank you for Your compassion for the lonely, oppressed, and harassed people of the world. You sent Jesus to seek and to save the lost, but we confess our reluctance to personally engage with His mission. If we are honest, we are more apathetic than active, isolated than involved, callous … Continue reading Matthew 9:35-38 – A Prayer of Confession
repentance
Reflections on Repentance that Leads to Life
The believer in Christ is a ‘lifelong’ repenter. He begins with repentance, and ends with repentance. Repentance is a change of mind regarding sin and God, an inward turning from sin to God. Repentance is hating what you once loved, and loving what you once hated, exchanging irresistible sin for an irresistible Christ. — Jim … Continue reading Reflections on Repentance that Leads to Life
Lavish Love for Returning Prodigals
The prodigal comes to a transforming experience of repentance. True repentance always issues into joy. The father takes his finest garment, worn only on special occasions or festivals, and puts it on his son -- a sure sign of acceptance to the community. The signet ring, a symbol of trust, and sandals, showing he's a … Continue reading Lavish Love for Returning Prodigals
Treasuring Prodigals (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
I recently preached on Jesus' famous parable. Here's what struck me most: As we think rightly of our Father and treasure Him as the real prodigal in this story, we will become more intentional in sharing His pursuit of other prodigals, whether they are prodigal in their rebellion and self-centeredness or whether they are prodigal … Continue reading Treasuring Prodigals (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
Personal Worship Guide – When God’s Word Pours Down Like Rain
Personal Worship Guide - When God's Word Pours Down Like Rain God’s Word is like the rain. It fulfills God’s purpose of causing life to flourish. It comes from beyond us. We can’t control it. We only receive it… much like this invitation to feast at God’s banquet of grace. Isaiah 55:1-13 reminds us that … Continue reading Personal Worship Guide – When God’s Word Pours Down Like Rain
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