March 4th, 2024
by Tony Stephens
by Tony Stephens
Use this 5 day devotion to help deepen your knowledge of God's Word
Day 1: The Active Pursuit of God's Love
God's love is not passive; it actively seeks to find and restore the lost. This divine pursuit is relentless and tireless, reflecting the heart of a God who values each individual beyond measure. The lost are not merely waited for; they are sought after with a fervor that mirrors the shepherd's search for his missing sheep.
Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Reflection: Who in your life may feel lost or forgotten? How can you demonstrate God's active pursuit of love to them this week?
Day 2: Grace Beyond Worthiness
God's grace is given not because of our merit but because of His boundless love. The embrace of the prodigal son upon his return is a picture of this grace—unearned, undeserved, yet freely given. This grace is a gift, not a reward, and it is available to all, regardless of past failures.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when you experienced grace, even when you felt undeserving? How did it change your perspective on God's love for you?
Day 3: The Mission of Jesus' Life
The mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost, a mission that He fulfilled through His life, death, and resurrection. This mission is the essence of the Gospel, a story of redemption that continues today as God reaches out to every lost soul with the offer of salvation.
1 Timothy 1:15 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost influence your own sense of purpose and calling?
Day 4: The Immeasurable Value of One Soul
To God, the value of one soul is beyond calculation. The rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner reveals God's economy, where what is precious and celebrated may be overlooked or discarded by the world. Each individual is cherished by God and worthy of the pursuit.
Matthew 18:12-14 - "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off."
Reflection: How does the knowledge that God values you immensely affect your self-worth and your interactions with others?
Day 5: Aligning Our Hearts with God's
As we grasp the depth of God's pursuit for the lost, we are called to align our hearts with His and join in His mission. We become agents of His love, extending the invitation to be found to those still wandering, reflecting the heart of the Father who values each soul.
2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Reflection: What are practical ways you can be an ambassador for Christ and help others to feel the value God places on them?
Day 1: The Active Pursuit of God's Love
God's love is not passive; it actively seeks to find and restore the lost. This divine pursuit is relentless and tireless, reflecting the heart of a God who values each individual beyond measure. The lost are not merely waited for; they are sought after with a fervor that mirrors the shepherd's search for his missing sheep.
Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Reflection: Who in your life may feel lost or forgotten? How can you demonstrate God's active pursuit of love to them this week?
Day 2: Grace Beyond Worthiness
God's grace is given not because of our merit but because of His boundless love. The embrace of the prodigal son upon his return is a picture of this grace—unearned, undeserved, yet freely given. This grace is a gift, not a reward, and it is available to all, regardless of past failures.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when you experienced grace, even when you felt undeserving? How did it change your perspective on God's love for you?
Day 3: The Mission of Jesus' Life
The mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost, a mission that He fulfilled through His life, death, and resurrection. This mission is the essence of the Gospel, a story of redemption that continues today as God reaches out to every lost soul with the offer of salvation.
1 Timothy 1:15 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost influence your own sense of purpose and calling?
Day 4: The Immeasurable Value of One Soul
To God, the value of one soul is beyond calculation. The rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner reveals God's economy, where what is precious and celebrated may be overlooked or discarded by the world. Each individual is cherished by God and worthy of the pursuit.
Matthew 18:12-14 - "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off."
Reflection: How does the knowledge that God values you immensely affect your self-worth and your interactions with others?
Day 5: Aligning Our Hearts with God's
As we grasp the depth of God's pursuit for the lost, we are called to align our hearts with His and join in His mission. We become agents of His love, extending the invitation to be found to those still wandering, reflecting the heart of the Father who values each soul.
2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Reflection: What are practical ways you can be an ambassador for Christ and help others to feel the value God places on them?
Posted in Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
February
March
April
No Comments