June 20: Christian Fellowship.
Searching for the Lost.
"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "--Luke 15:6, ESV
THANK GOD, He has presented to our imagination no picture of a sorrowful shepherd returning without the sheep. The parable does not speak of failure but of success and joy in the recovery.--Christ's Object Lessons, 188.
And when the straying one is found, does he command it to follow him? Does he threaten or beat it, or drive it before him, thinking of the discomfort and anxiety that he has suffered on its account? No; he lays the exhausted sheep on his shoulder, and with cheerful gratitude that his search has not been in vain, he returns to the fold. His gratitude finds expression in songs of rejoicing. And "when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."
So when the lost sinner is found by the Good Shepherd, heaven and earth unite in rejoicing and thanksgiving. For "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" [Luke 5:6, 7].--Gospel Workers, section 6, p. 182.
This illustrates the blessed, joyful work of laboring for the erring. The church that engages successfully in this work is a happy church.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 22.
Those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time
we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have
the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith.
--Galatians 6:8-10, NLT
Searching for the Lost.
"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' "--Luke 15:6, ESV
THANK GOD, He has presented to our imagination no picture of a sorrowful shepherd returning without the sheep. The parable does not speak of failure but of success and joy in the recovery.--Christ's Object Lessons, 188.
And when the straying one is found, does he command it to follow him? Does he threaten or beat it, or drive it before him, thinking of the discomfort and anxiety that he has suffered on its account? No; he lays the exhausted sheep on his shoulder, and with cheerful gratitude that his search has not been in vain, he returns to the fold. His gratitude finds expression in songs of rejoicing. And "when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."
So when the lost sinner is found by the Good Shepherd, heaven and earth unite in rejoicing and thanksgiving. For "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" [Luke 5:6, 7].--Gospel Workers, section 6, p. 182.
This illustrates the blessed, joyful work of laboring for the erring. The church that engages successfully in this work is a happy church.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 22.
Those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time
we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have
the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith.
--Galatians 6:8-10, NLT
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