“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).

It is NEVER too late to turn to God. There was a time when the Apostle Paul hated Christ. He was a murderer who persecuted Christians and did everything he could to hinder the spread of the Gospel – until he met Jesus. God not only forgave him of his sin, but Paul was completely and forever changed. Consequently, he carried out his God-given destiny as one of the greatest contributors to the spread of the Good News of Jesus, helping grow the early Church for 32 years. Paul also wrote ½ of the New Testament. Talk about SOLD OUT for Christ! If God can forgive and use a man like Paul, He is can forgive and transform any and every person who seeks His face and His grace. It is the heart of God to deliver us from sin, making all things in our lives new!

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He diligently pursues lost sheep! He has great love and compassion for ALL that don’t know Him and is equally passionate for the one. In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus shares the parable of the lost sheep; “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

It is God’s heart to meet us where we are. All the brokenness, the relational pain, the “baggage” – He’s ready for it! We don’t have to carry the weight of our burdens alone. “Come near to God and He will come near to you”. (James 4:8) Let us lay everything at His feet and fix our eyes on the cross. He’s so faithful!

Guiding Points:

Call to Action: If this spoke to you today and you don’t know Jesus, or you feel drawn to refresh your faith in Him, spend some time in God’s presence. Read over these scriptures and pray with us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Act 3:19).

Prayer: Father God, we thank you today for sending Your son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the sins of the world. We come to You asking forgiveness for the sins we have committed and ask that you cleanse us from any unrighteousness. We choose to turn away from the things that separate us from You, turning our eyes toward You. Daily, help us grow to be more like Jesus. Rid us of all selfish ways. We want more of You and less of us evident in our lives. Please strengthen our relationship with you, Lord. We pray all of this in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Final Thought: We are transformed by the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us. Let the outpouring of the Holy Spirit nourish your soul today! “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10).