Hey Clawson Family,

Song:

Scripture:

Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

Luke 19:1-10 NLT

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Devotion:

How is it possible that someone has never heard that God loves them??

If you grew up in a Christian home, you probably heard that God loves you all the time. People would tell you that God has a plan for your life and that you are the apple of His eye. The sad truth is thought that many people don’t grow up hearing those things. Some have never been told that God loves them. 

In fact they may have heard the exact opposite, that they are a disappointment to God and that He is angry with them. 

The foundation to someone’s faith – the thing that draws them toward God – is the fact that He does love them and wants a relationship with them. If they never hear that God love them, they will never accept His gift of grace. Without understanding God’s love, they will never come near. 

Zaccheus experienced this when Jesus stopped and said, “Let’s hang out.” Because of his job and his character, Zaccheus was ridiculed and mocked on bad days. On a good day, he was simply ignored. But that is not how Jesus treated him. Jesus was intentional and kind. Jesus took the time to communicate that Zaccheus was valuable and loved, and that truth caused a transformation. Through that encounter with God’s love, Zaccheus was saved and was brought into the Kingdom. 

It is important that as Christ-followers we use our actions and our words to let people know that God loves them with an everlasting love. His love is unending, unconditional, and unchanging. When people are convinced of His love, they come running. 

So, with our smiles, our service, our kindness, and our bold words, let’s remind people that God loves them and wants great things for them.

Journal: In your journal write down the area of your life you need to be more bold with sharing God’s love. What step will you take toward that this week?

Training: Name three people you know who need Jesus in their lives. What will you do this week to reach out to them?