READ Luke 15
Jesus tells three parables to demonstrate the quality and quantity of God’s love for sinners.

INSIGHT
Many things about God are difficult to understand. But there is one thing about God which is easy to understand. He earnestly longs for the lost to be saved. In the parable of the lost sheep, we see a God who is willing to leave the multitudes to seek just one which is lost. In the parable of the lost coin, we see a God who will move heaven and earth to find a prized possession. In the parable of the prodigal son, we see a God who rejoices with great joy when a lost one comes home. As Christians, we should not let that which we don’t know cloud that which we do know. We must focus on the roses rather than the thorns. God loves the sinner, and on that, we can rest.

PRAYER
Offer the Lord your praise for His great love for you:
Come, let’s shout joyfully to the Lord,
shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!  
Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving;
let’s shout triumphantly to him in song.  
For the Lord is a great God,
a great King above all gods
(Psalm 95:1-3).

As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God —
God of my salvation — and my tongue will sing
of your righteousness. Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise
(Psalm 51:14-15).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• A stronger desire to be like Christ
• The ministry of other churches around the nation
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).