Devotion
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The Promises of God: Part CLXVI
Author
Timothy Laughlin
Published
Feb 14, 2025
Tags
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So, He spoke this parable to them, saying: "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?" Luke 15:1-4
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So, He spoke this parable to them, saying: "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?" Luke 15:1-4
In the eighties and nineties, I directed residential drug rehabs for women, many of whom were heroin addicts, prostitutes, topless dancers, and convicted felons! When we would enter a church with 35 sinners' people would grab their kids and their purses and move down out of the way for fear of catching something, I guess!
It was obvious to me that church was for the righteous and not sinners, so we had to have our own church for the lady's sake. For most of my Christian walk I have been with sinners and in our program eventually we formed a choir and went to churches to sing. It never ceased to amaze me that they would often say to me we are sure glad God called you to do this, in other words praise God we don't have to do it, so I became the garbage man of the churches.
It is a shame the churches don't obey the command and commission to GO! It is our mandate from God to save sinners and make disciples, but no one is trained or equipped except to sit and listen! Even in America that is filled with Bibles, videos, and books on Christianity there are millions of lost sheep without a Shepherd.
"I say to you, that likewise there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7
Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
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