This week we will be talking about the miraculous signs and wonders of God as we journey through Holy Week. 

We have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are challenged by the Apostle Paul to fan the flame of God so that others may experience this gift. Today I encourage you to meditate on the scripture verses listed below. We are all called to be disciples of Jesus. Think about all the miraculous signs and wonders you’ve experienced here on Earth. Have you shared Christ Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit with others? Take time to evaluate your role in The Great Commision. 

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV — When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.‬‬

2 Timothy 1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

You can read the full passage, Encouragement to Be Faithfu in 2 Timothy 1: 3-18 NIV @biblegateway.

The Great Commission in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭16‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15 MSG‬‬ — Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!

Join us for See You Saturday as we talk about being light bearers for Christ!

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV — The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The Father replied, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV — My son, the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

I’ve included five verses from today’s parable on The Prodigal Son. You can read the full chapter @biblegateway. Celebration and food are often two things that go together. Every year we celebrate holidays, births, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, reunions, and life. Take a moment to envision the celebration over the prodigal son returning. We know how each son felt over this celebration. The one who wandered didn’t feel worthy. The one who stayed didn’t feel his brother was worthy. The father’s love was greater and he chose to forgive, love, and celebrate his son. 

Thankfully our God doesn’t look to our past mistakes. He sees us all as His children, worthy of His forgiveness, love, and celebration.

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for celebrating me even when I do not feel worthy. Thank You for forgiving and loving me. Help me to show that same forgiveness and love to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Often our family likes to celebrate with my easy lasagna recipe.

1 bag of frozen cheese ravioli

1 lb of italian ground sausage

1 jar of preferred spaghetti sauce

1 2-cup bag of preferred shredded cheese

Instructions: Thaw frozen ravioli. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook ground sausage. Mix prepared sausage with spaghetti sauce. Layer ravioli, sauce, and cheese. Sprinkle any remaining cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV — Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Have you ever lost something so precious to you? What lengths did you go to find it? I once lost my great grandmother’s wedding ring. For weeks I searched for it. I would pray for God to open my eyes to the ring’s location. One day I saw something shiny in the driveway. It was the ring, unscathed. It was perfectly positioned in between the tires of my husband’s car. Just like Jesus and the lost sheep, I rejoiced when I found it.

Can you envision the angels of God rejoicing when one sinner repents? I imagine the angels singing a thousand hallelujahs. Even after we are saved, God continually rejoices over us with singing. We read in Zephaniah 3:17 NIV — The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Let’s pray. Dear God, with a thousand hallelujahs I magnify Your name. Thank You and Your angels for singing and rejoicing over me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
I encourage you to worship with A Thousand Hallelujahs by Brooke Ligertwood.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

It is not surprising that Jesus used the illustration of sheep in this parable. Just like humans, sheep are very vulnerable creatures. We both long for a shepherd to guide us. Although at times we stray, our greatest command is to love. That reckless love is what guides us in seeking and desiring to be sought. We read in Psalm 119:176 NIV – I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. 

Sunday I encouraged you to listen to Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. The chorus sings, “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99.” Will you allow God to seek you? Or will He have to chase you? As you sit in God’s presence today, stay a while. Try not to focus on running to your next task. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, I desire to be fully present at Your feet. Seek me for I have not forgotten Your commands. Thank You for the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love that only You can give. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.