The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Coin..Craig Denison Ministries

 The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Coin

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Jesus loved to use stories to illustrate profound, life-transforming concepts. He loved to use real and genuine settings, characters, and ideas that apply to all of us to reveal God’s heart of pursuit and love. This week we’re going to spend time allowing the parables of Jesus to speak directly to our situations, mindsets, and core beliefs about who God is. Open your heart and mind to be transformed by the powerful and captivating stories of Jesus.

Scripture:“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:4-7

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10

Devotional:    

If the core of Jesus’ teachings on the gospel could be summed up in two stories, they would be the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Both stories illustrate one crucially important truth: God pursues us. Both clearly display God’s heart for us in that he willingly and passionately comes down to meet and help us wherever we are. As we look at these important parables today, open your heart and allow the reality of God’s pursuit of you to transform the way you relate to him and stir up your desires to seek his face in return.

Jesus says in Luke 15:4-7,

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Then Jesus teaches in verses 8-10,

Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Jesus tells two parables to re-emphasize a perspective-shattering truth. The One, True God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, so values us that he leaves everything behind to pursue relationship with us. So great is God’s desire for restored relationship with you that he came down off his throne, left transcendent perfection, and lived his earthly life in total service to us, thereby leading him to an unjustified and sacrificial death.

Has the reality of that truth been fully realized in your heart? Has both the grandeur and love of our God hit home to the point that the depth of God’s love is your chief reality? Too often we pass by the core message of the gospel because we have heard it before, and we don’t allow it to stretch past our mind into our heart. It’s when truth rests in our heart, impacts our emotions, and becomes real to us that it transforms our life. You were the helpless and lost sheep. You were the coin that was so valuable God worked and searched until he had it back in his possession. You are of the highest value to the only One who truly decides the essence of worth. Don’t let that truth pass you by today. Instead, grab hold of it, reflect on it, and wrestle with it until it becomes the foundation for every decision, thought, and action in your life.

Let’s respond to the depth of God’s pursuit with our own. Let’s allow God to bring every part of our lives entirely into his possession. Let’s be the reward of Jesus’ sacrifice. In Psalm 27:8 David says, “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” God is calling out to you, saying, “Seek my face.” He waits patiently for your reply, excited at the notion that you would live your life receiving the abundance made available to you by Jesus’ sacrifice.

Spend time in prayer meditating on God’s pursuit of you and responding to him by seeking his face.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the powerful, core truth found in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Meditation is an effective way to take knowledge and allow it to sink into our hearts. Rest in the truth of Jesus’ teaching.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:4-7

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10

2. Ask the Spirit to guide you into a time of response. How can you seek God’s face? What can you do to offer your life as the reward for Jesus’ sacrifice?

“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25

3. In faith seek God today. God promises you his presence, his nearness. He longs to guide you into real relationship with him where he satisfies your deepest desires. As you seek him, allow him to fill you up with the power and love of his presence.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10

“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” Psalm 27:8

The chief characteristic that marks those who live life in the Spirit is their continual pursuit of God. Psalm 34:10 promises us that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” God will always respond to your pursuit of him because his greatest desire is relationship with you. You don’t have to be scared to seek him, wondering if you will find him to be real and responsive. He’s already promised that to you. Take Hebrews 11:16 and live your life in obedience to his word. Have faith and believe that he “exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” May you discover a deeper reality of his nearness, love, and pursuit of you today as your respond to God’s word in faith.

Extended Reading: Psalm 27

Finding Encouragement to Persist in Prayer..Christine Perry

 Finding Encouragement to Persist in Prayer 

By Christine Perry

"Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer." Romans 12:12 NKJV

A recent Pew Research Center poll of the frequency of prayer among Christians showed 68% of Christians pray daily. Living in an instant gratification society, we are not very patient and often give up when we don't see the results we want. In DL Moody's book Prevailing Prayer, he shares this story, "About 1,500 gathered for two hours of lively, focused prayer. Later, I asked Pastor Jim Cymbala why so many were attending the Brooklyn Tab prayer meetings when many other churches have canceled their prayer meetings for lack of interest. He answered, 'You would also have a full church on prayer meeting night if your people actually believed that God answers prayer!'" 

When we face delayed answers, we tend to grow weary of praying. But, remember, the God we are praying to is the same God who: gave Sarah a son past child-bearing years, parted the Red Sea, brought forth water from a rock and manna from heaven, shut the mouths of lions, rescued three men from the fiery furnace, healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and paid for the penalty of sin so we could spend eternity with Him. Is there anything too hard for God? No! When we pray, the power does not rest on our abilities. Instead, it rests on the character of who God is. And lest we forget, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). St. Augustine said, "If God seems slow in responding, it is because He is preparing a better gift. He will not deny us. God withholds what you are not yet ready for. He wants you to have a lively desire for His greatest gifts. That is to say, pray always and do not lose heart." 

If you feel battle-worn and tired of prayer, take heart, it happens to us all. Scripture recorded when Jesus kept waking his disciples to ask them to pray. I don't know about you, but I have been guilty of falling asleep instead of praying. Where do we find the strength to pray when we don't see answers? Hebrews 4:14-16 says Jesus is a sympathetic High Priest who tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace. Friends, Jesus knows we will grow weary and tired. He doesn't condemn us; instead, He prays for us and lives to make intercession (Hebrew 7:25). We are not alone in praying. 

Intersecting Life and Faith 
One way to help fuel your prayer life is by keeping a prayer journal. George Muller, a man devoted to prayer, had over fifty thousand specific recorded answers to prayers in his journals. Can you imagine? Muller said thirty thousand were answered the same day or the same hour he prayed. Additionally, God funneled over half a billion dollars (in today's currency) through his hands in answer to prayer. If God can turn five loaves and two fish into feeding over 5,000 people, we should wonder what God might do with five minutes on our two knees. 2nd Chronicles 16:9 NKJV says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." Isaiah 30:18 NKJV says, 

"Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him." 

 It makes you wonder if God is waiting for us to persist in prayer. Another way to help you persist in prayer is to ask another believer if they would pray with you once a week. It can even be over the phone during your lunch break. Matthew 18:20 NKJV says, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Stay energized in prayer. God hears. He longs to be gracious. And, He is still in the business of answering prayers!

Will I Have My Own Home in Heaven?..Randy Alcorn

 Will I Have My Own Home in Heaven?

By Randy Alcorn

“In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” - John 14:2

Perhaps you’re familiar with Christ’s promise in John 14: “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you” (v. 2, KJV). The Vulgate, the Latin Bible, used the word mansiones in that verse, and the King James Version followed by using mansions. Unfortunately, that rendering is misleading if it makes us envision having massive lodgings on separate estates. The intended meaning seems to be that we’ll have separate dwelling places on a single estate or even separate rooms within the same house.

New Testament scholar D. A. Carson says, “Since heaven is here pictured as the Father’s house, it is more natural to think of ‘dwelling-places’ within a house as rooms or suites… The simplest explanation is best: my Father’s house refers to heaven, and in heaven are many rooms, many dwelling-places. The point is not the lavishness of each apartment, but the fact that such ample provision has been made that there is more than enough space for every one of Jesus’ disciples to join him in his Father’s home.” [1]

The New International Version rendering of John 14:2 is this: “In my Father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Place is singular, but rooms is plural. This suggests Jesus has in mind for each of us an individual dwelling that’s a smaller part of the larger place. This place will be home to us in the most unique sense.

The term room is cozy and intimate. The terms house or estate suggest spaciousness. That’s Heaven: a place both spacious and intimate. Some of us enjoy coziness, being in a private space. Others enjoy a large, wide-open space. Most of us enjoy both—and the New Earth will offer both.

Heaven isn’t likely to have lots of identical residences. God loves diversity, and He tailor-makes His children and His provisions for them. When we see the particular place He’s prepared for us—not just for mankind in general but for us in particular—we’ll rejoice to see our ideal home.

When you’re traveling late at night and you don’t know where you’re going to stay, nothing’s more discouraging than finding a No Vacancy sign. There’s no such sign in Heaven. If we’ve made our reservations by accepting God’s gift in Christ, then Heaven is wide open to us. Jesus knew what it was like to have no vacancy in the inn and to sleep in a barn. On the New Earth, He’ll have plenty of room for all of us.

Our love for home, our yearning for it, is a glimmer of our longing for our true home.

A Prayer for Mothering Grieving and Traumatized Children..Heidi Vegh

 A Prayer for Mothering Grieving and Traumatized Children 

By Heidi Vegh

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." - Romans 8:26

When we hold that brand new baby in our arms for the first time, our hearts ache as we desperately want to protect them from the world's darkness. We want to shield their precious eyes, ears, and bodies from anything that could harm them. We pray fervently for God's hand of protection to follow them throughout their lives. We pray for them as they lay down and watch them grow. We teach them about Jesus and His care for us. We want them to truly understand the peace that can come when life gets hard. And then tragedy strikes. Sickness, death, divorce, and traumatic events strive to claim their lives and their peace. Darkness throws into the fire with our babies as we navigate dire circumstances for us and our children. But Jesus is still with us in this. 

My husband passed away from cancer when my precious boys were five and seven years old. It was shocking, traumatizing, and life-altering. I had to not only navigate my grief but try and love my boys through a life that no longer included their daddy. I had to nurture their confused and breaking hearts, often setting aside my struggles to make sure they knew they were loved and cared for as their hearts were breaking in a way they didn't understand. 

Death is permanent and difficult for anyone, especially small children, to wrap their heads around. I relied on the strength of the Lord to help me walk through all the tear-filled and snuggled-up talks. I asked Jesus to be with me as I tried to explain the reality and finality of death gently. I took them to therapy, where they could learn to express their anger and sadness in healthy ways—all the while trying to pursue a new life as an only parent, trying to keep my head above water.

I needed Jesus more than ever in those hard weeks, months, years, and even today, and He was there, just like He promised. I can see how God's hand played a part in all the connections with others, healing moments, and eventual acceptance of our new way of life. It has been almost a decade since those dark days, but I still need the help of Jesus as I now have to navigate parenting teenage boys who lost their daddy. One of which has but only a few small memories.

I often wonder if certain behaviors are normal for teenage boys or if they act in particular ways because of grief and trauma. I need the Holy Spirit to help me discern their hearts and what I can do as their mama to help them walk this hard road. A friend once told me the Holy Spirit is our best resource as parents. God promises He is here to help us in our times of need.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." - John 14:26

When we struggle to help our kids, we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us strength and understanding for anything they are going through.

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." - Romans 8:26

Let's Pray:
Holy Lord,
I come to you with a breaking heart today. I understand the children you have placed in my care are precious gifts from you. I know and believe you love them even more than I ever could. You only want good things for them; however, I understand we live in a fallen world full of heartache and pain. You did not promise a trouble-free life, but you did promise that you have overcome the world and are with us. (John 16:33) 

I surrender my children to you today. I ask that you take them, nurture them, and protect their hearts. As they are hurting and traumatized by life events, I ask that you hold them in your arms and give them peace. I ask that you give them peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:6) I know and believe you have the power to overcome the darkness and pull them from the pit of despair. (Psalm 40:2) Give me the courage, understanding, discernment, and knowledge. I know and believe you are in all things and know all things. You know the ins and outs of their suffering and what they need to overcome. Please equip me to mother these children in your will, timing, and strength. Thank you for the precious gift of my children. In your precious name, I pray, Amen.

The Family Influence: Good or Bad..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Family Influence: Good or Bad

Dr. Charles Stanley

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Proverbs 22:6 tells us, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." What a great responsibility this places on parents. Records of royal lineage (1 Kings 15-16) illustrate that one's level of submission to God is often mirrored in the offspring's life.

Now, it's true that children eventually grow and make their own decisions. There are godly parents who are heartbroken by their kids' poor choices. Similarly, some from backgrounds full of sinful bondage become righteous people of integrity.

As mothers and fathers, we are given a momentous task: to model and teach how to live according to God's Word. Thankfully, we don't have to rely on ourselves for wisdom. Good parenting involves prayerful self-evaluation, godly counsel, and thoughtful course corrections.

Start by considering how you'd answer the following questions if your children were to walk in your way: What place will Jesus, the Word of God, and the church have in their lives? Will they seek God's direction as the ultimate guide for decisions? Will they develop strong godly relationships? Will they know how to handle money wisely? Will they do their best in their vocation? As you seek answers, ask God to reveal truth, since self-examination can be difficult.

In prayerfully considering your impact as a parent, expect to see positives and negatives. The goal isn't self-condemnation, so keep in mind 1) there's no perfect parent and 2) it's never too late. Even if the kids are grown, you can ask forgiveness, share what you've learned, and model a godly life starting now.