Thursday July 18th, 2024
« “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? »
3 Jesus spoke to them using this illustration:
4 “Suppose a man has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the 99 sheep grazing in the pasture and look for the lost sheep until he finds it?
5 When he finds it, he’s happy. He puts that sheep on his shoulders and
6 goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, ‘Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep!’
7 I can guarantee that there will be more happiness in heaven over one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts than over 99 people who already have turned to God and have his approval.”
One other major reason I am determined never to backslide is that I don’t want to cause God any heartache.
In the Bible reading for today, the Lord asked if there was anyone who would not go after one lost sheep even if they still had a flock of ninety-nine in their care.
If we review this scenario described by our Lord Jesus a little more closely, we would realize that a shepherd would only know that one of the sheep is missing in the evening because a flock of a hundred sheep and that of ninety-nine sheep would look alike at a glance.
The shepherd would only get to know of the missing sheep when he counts them at night, just before he rests from the day’s work.
However, upon discovering that one sheep is missing, he would immediately resume work and begin to search for it.
I don’t want to cause my Lord Jesus Christ any heartache: if anything at all, I want to bring Him joy.
The story in our text tells us that, until He finds that missing sheep, the Shepherd would not rest.
Also, the fact that when He found the sheep, He came back rejoicing shows that when He was looking for the sheep, He was in sorrow.
I don’t want my life to cause sorrow to the Almighty.
I don’t know about you, but I, Adeboye, will only bring joy to the Lord and not sorrow.
The story is even deeper than that. Luke 15:7 tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.
You see, there are two opposite sides in the Spirit realm – Light and darkness.
Each time somebody gets born again, there is sorrow in hell because the devil has lost somebody, so the devil pursues that fellow with the intention of bringing him back into his company.
Each time a Christian backslides, there is rejoicing in the camp of the devil.
Let me give you an illustration: If you used to be an unbeliever, constantly at the bar drinking with many friends, then got born again, your former drinking partners would begin to avoid you because your life would now become a challenge to them. Just seeing you alone would make them feel condemned. Can you then imagine what would happen if one day they suddenly saw you back at the bar? They would shout for joy and drink more than they normally do that day.
Each time a Christian backslides, he or she would make the devil celebrate and bring displeasure to God.
I pray you will never cause God any form of displeasure, in Jesus’ name.
Application – In what ways have you been causing Jesus heartache? Repent today and commit to only bring Him joy henceforth.
Author – Bishop Enoch Adejare Adeboye; General Overseer of the RCCG
Edited by Naomie Joseph
In need of a PRAYER BOOST ? —— Join SIP (Short Intense Prayers) on Zoom « 816 0248 8978 meeting code 94 06 87 » Monday to Friday 11 AM Eastern standard Canada time ; Monday to Thursday 11 PM Eastern standard Canada time – ANFGC HFX
Soul-restoring, mind-recalibrating Praise and Worship sessions – Evangelist Jemps Benoit ; Minister Paola Médi
Life changing Christian stories : Supernatural Stories
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it.
Spread the love of Christ by clicking on the ♥
copingwords@gmail.com
