Devotion
We are Called to the Lost
Chipo Biti
Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector. Tax collectors in the times of Jesus were not popular people. I'm pretty sure tax collectors of the present day we live in are also held in a high regard. Zacchaeus probably held high societal status as a result of his wealth. But none of that meant a thing to him when he wanted to meet Jesus. He wasn't a very tall man but He did not allow his to stop him. He put his dignity aside, ran ahead and climbed a tree in order to see Jesus. It was very clear that Zacchaeus was determined to meet Jesus and possibly converse with Him.
Jesus took it several steps further and informed Zacchaeus that he was going to stay with him. This was a shock to everyone around Jesus - and probably to Zacchaeus too. Tax collectors were known for using sneaky, underhanded means to retrieve their money from other people. When people heard that Jesus was going to stay with Zacchaeus they started to grumble, accusing Jesus of associating with sinners.
What a funny thing for them to say, considering the fact that they were sinners too. They probably didn't see it that way because they felt that they weren't as bad as Zacchaeus. Self-righteousness can blind you of your own flaws while you amplify the flaws of other people. Jesus wasn't moved. He wasn't there to follow the status quo. He was there to reach out to people from different walks of life.
Look at the transformation that occurred within Zacchaeus. He was determined to give away half of his possessions to the poor and he was willing to pay back four times the amount to anyone he had cheated. A repentant heart! What a sight! All of this was triggered by the loving gesture Jesus made, by reaching out to Zacchaeus.
Jesus ended it off with the perfect statement, putting all grumblers to silences, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Prayer
We should never get to a point of thinking that we are better than the lost. Remember that there was a time where you were lost and you responded to the love that God was stretching out in your direction.
As Christians, we are called to reach out to the lost - no matter how crazy or "sinful" they may appear to be. When we allow the love of God to work through us, miracles will happen. The same way they happened when Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus - a man most people had written off of a sinner who could never be saved.
Devotion
Lot’s Rescue
Frances Taylor
When I read about Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, I tend to think about Lot's wife and her turning back just when salvation was in her grasp. The angels had brought the whole family to safety; all they had to do was follow God's instruction not to turn back. It sounds so easy. I wonder what was so important to Lot's wife that she turned back? I'm sure that Lot was grateful to God and to the angels for rescuing him and his family and also saddened by the loss of his wife. We, too, have been rescued. We have been rescued from the fear of death, from the effects of our sinfulness and from eternal damnation. We have chosen to follow our deliverer, our Savior, Jesus Christ. What is there in our lives that is so important to us that we risk losing it all? Because we do turn back, just as Lot's wife. We often return to old habits, old companions that lead us into sinful situations, old temptations that we think won't entrap us. We choose to...
Morning Prayer
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Inspiration
When it comes to judging situations, we should never be partial in our reasoning. If we try to favor one party, instead of being just, we are doing a great injustice to the wronged person, and we are also doing a great disservice to ourselves as children of God. Be fair in every situation and strive to do the right thing. There is no honor in partiality.
Prayer
Dear God, I ask for your wisdom when I am asked to mediate situations. Lord, may I never be swayed by money, or anything else that could cause me to be partial. May my reasoning be just and pleasing before you, and may it be the truth I speak and nothing else, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
Inspiration
We cry out to the Lord when we are troubled. We ask for guidance, help, and protection because we know He is always listening. God comforts our anxious spirits and calms the brewing storm within our hearts; We can always count on our Heavenly Father to be present and prepared to help us fight any battle we encounter. God has been our refuge since the beginning; He will remain our rock of salvation until the end.
Prayer
Dear God, we are thankful for Your presence in our lives. We know we can always call out to You in times of trouble. You are always present and prepared to help us when we need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
