Jesus, Friend Of Sinners

Think back to when you were a child growing up. Your parents would tell you to do something, or not to do something, and you would do the opposite! You weren't really intending on disobeying them. You just weren't paying that much attention to what they were telling you, and let's face it: sometimes we just want to do what we want to do! But...did they stop loving you when you disobeyed them? Maybe you received some discipline, but you knew you were loved, regardless of what you did. At least, I hope you were raised in a family with this kind of love! If you weren't, I'm so very sorry. Read on.

We have a heavenly Father, who has kept His eyes on each one of us from the minute we were conceived! The Bible tells us in Psalms 139:13-16:

For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb,

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together...

Your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in Your book

before one of them came to be.

It's good to know that there is no one who is an accident, or mistake in God's eyes. Every person has a significant value to Him, and because of this, He has specific plans for our lives because of His great love for us.

For I know the plans I have for you -

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you a hope and a future.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me

with all your heart.

                                      - Jeremiah 29:11-13

God loves you and me so very much, and  He even went so far as to send His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to bear our sins on the cross. When He rose from the grave that third day after being crucified, He proclaimed victory over sin and death. Forever. Are you aware of the huge sacrifice He made to save you? There is nothing in this world that can separate us from His love. We can't run or hide from Him. There is nothing that we can do, even when we disobey Him, that He hasn't already seen. He knows us better than we realize, and we may be able to cover our faults from others, but God sees it all. And He still loves us.

Jesus is a friend of sinners. No matter what you may do in your life, no matter how guilty and ashamed you may feel because of what you have done, you are still loved by your Heavenly Father. He wants your heart. He wants your soul. He wants your mind. It is impossible to escape His love. Allow yourself to be immersed in it. The best is yet to be!

Jesus, I know I have sinned against You

and I am sorry. Please forgive me.

I want to receive You as my Lord and Savior,

and I need You to help me live my life

in such a way that pleases

and glorifies You.

I know You will never leave me or forsake me,

and I cannot run from Your everlasting love.

Thank You for coming into my life,

and giving me the hope I so need to live in this world.

AMEN.