Evening Scripture Reading - John 14:23-24

John 14:23-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 29:8-9

Psalm 29:8-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Restoring Those Who Have Wandered

Even with all of the modern devices of GPS and cellular phones equipped with map software, we can still find ourselves lost. As cities repair roads or bridges, travelers may find themselves lost while trying to follow detour signs. It doesn’t take much for us to get lost in a major city or even out in the country. Getting back on the right path may take help from those who are familiar with the area and can offer their guidance to those that have taken a wrong turn or two.

Many years ago, while I was traveling for one of my clients, I thought I knew exactly where their sales office was located. I made sure that my GPS (Global Positioning System) device had the latest map updates. The night before I had reviewed the directions to the location and felt very comfortable with my journey. However, I soon found out that the directions as reported to the mapping software were incorrect. I was driving around and around in circles while I tried to find the street and ultimately the building. Finally, I had to give up and call the contact at the office.

After a brief conversation, I soon received the right directions. The sales manager of the office greeted me and I thanked him profusely for his help. He told me that the GPS directions have been incorrect for over three years and that he had tried repeatedly to get them changed.

In our conversation as he was helping set up for the class, he said, “Everyone gets a little lost from time to time. I am just glad I could help you.”

Those words have always stuck in my mind and heart, because no truer words could have been spoken when it comes to our spiritual lives. We all, from time to time, get off the path and wander away from the Father. We are tempted and fall prey to the “wiles of the devil”.

When we listen to the words of that deceiver, we often find ourselves lost and wandering around in the wilderness. We listen to his directions and follow his lead. In time, we finally realize that we are lost and need help.

In my case, I finally decided to call for help. Instead of berating me, the man on the other end of the phone gave me wonderful directions and made me feel better. I was very fortunate to have someone who understood my problem and helped me get back on the right track.

As Christians, we are called upon to help others not only with their physical needs but also with their spiritual needs. Part of addressing their spiritual needs is to help when they go astray and wander away from the Father.

In chapter five of his book, James writes, “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

We should work to restore that individual and do it with gentleness and without judgment. It serves no purpose to judge or ridicule that individual for the decision that was made to depart from God’s true path. We should act in love and with the desire to rejuvenate their spirits and guide them back on to the righteous path.

Paul, in chapter six of his letter to the Galatians, writes, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”

It is equally important to remember that the deceiver prowls like a hungry animal seeking to devour the souls of all those he ensnares. While we are trying to help, we, too, could fall prey and find ourselves equally as lost and wandering in darkness. We should always be on our guard and at the ready.

Peter, in chapter five of his first epistle, says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Satan loves nothing more than to ensnare two for the price of one. Be on guard and constantly vigilant as you help to restore those who are lost. It doesn’t take much for Satan to whisper in your ear and lead you away. His words may, at first, taste as sweet as honey, but you will soon find it souring in your belly. His poison will soon be spread throughout your soul and you could find yourself struggling to return to the righteous path.

I cannot stress enough, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the absolute need to remain watchful as you work to restore anyone who has strayed. As you work with that person, God will see your efforts and will rejoice with you as the lost sheep is returned to the fold.

Listen to the words of Jesus, as recorded in chapter fifteen of the Gospel of Luke, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

Jesus called upon each of us to love one another and build each other up spiritually. We truly are the keepers of our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. We look out for one another and help those who are in need no matter what the need is.

 

As you through this week, realize that each of us can be tempted to take a detour and leave the straight and narrow path that God has for us. We can easily find ourselves wandering far from the Father and need help to return back to the light.

Our words should always be the same as those of the sales manager. When we help those who are lost, our Heavenly Father sees our efforts and rejoices in that one lost sheep returning to the fold. By restoring those in need, we know that we are doing God’s will and are able to stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 15:6

Proverbs 15:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

Morning Scripture Reading - Hebrews 7:18-19

Hebrews 7:18-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing [a]perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 7:19 complete

Evening Scripture Reading - Jude 1:22-23

Jude 22-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

22 And on some have compassion, [a]making a distinction; 23 but others save [b]with fear, pulling them out of the [c]fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Footnotes:

1. Jude 1:22 NU who are doubting (or making distinctions)
2. Jude 1:23 NU omits with fear
3. Jude 1:23 NU adds and on some have mercy with fear

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 29:5-7

Psalm 29:5-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them also skip like a calf,
Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord [a]divides the flames of fire.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 29:7 stirs up, lit. hews out

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 15:5

Proverbs 15:5 New King James Version (NKJV)

5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who [a]receives correction is prudent.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps

Morning Scripture Reading - Acts 20:32-35

Acts 20:32-35 New King James Version (NKJV)

32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 [a]Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Footnotes:

1. Acts 20:34 NU, M omit Yes

Evening Scripture Reading - Joel 2:28-32

Joel 2:28-32 New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Spirit Poured Out

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be [a]saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be [b]deliverance,
As the Lord has said,
Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

Footnotes:

1. Joel 2:32 Or delivered
2. Joel 2:32 Or salvation

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 29:3-4

Psalm 29:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 15:4

Proverbs 15:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

4 A [a]wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit. healing

Morning Scripture Reading - Romans 10:1-4

Romans 10:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

Israel Needs the Gospel

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for [a]Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 10:1 NU them

Evening Scripture Reading - John 16:12-15

John 16:12-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He [a]will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Footnotes:

1. John 16:15 NU, M takes of Mine and will declare

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 29:1-2

Psalm 29:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Praise to God in His Holiness and Majesty

A Psalm of David.

2 Give[a] unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 [b]Give unto the Lord the glory [c]due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the [d]beauty of holiness.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 29:1 Ascribe
2. Psalm 29:2 Ascribe
3. Psalm 29:2 Lit. of His name
4. Psalm 29:2 majesty

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 15:3

Proverbs 15:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Morning Scripture Reading - Ruth 2:11-12

Ruth 2:11-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. 12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

Evening Scripture Reading - 1 Peter 3:8-12

1 Peter 3:8-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

Called to Blessing

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be [a]courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For

“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him [b]refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Footnotes:

1. 1 Peter 3:8 NU humble
2. 1 Peter 3:10 restrain