Devotions for Spiritual Strength

Reading: Luke 15:1-7

The good shepherd doesn't celebrate finding the ninety-nine—he leaves them to pursue the one who is lost. This challenges our natural tendency to surround ourselves only with like-minded believers. God's heart beats differently than ours. While we find comfort in familiar fellowship, Christ's mission focuses on those wandering far from home. This Advent, examine your circles. Are you only investing in relationships with other Christians? The shepherd's joy comes not from maintaining the flock, but from restoration. Consider one person in your life who doesn't know Christ. What would it look like to genuinely pursue friendship with them, not as a project, but as someone precious to God?

Reading: Luke 15:8-10

Like Scrooge confronting his reflection through the Ghost of Christmas Present, we need moments of honest self-examination. The woman searching for her lost coin turns her entire house upside down—nothing matters more than finding what was lost. How desperately do we seek those outside God's kingdom? Often, we've become complacent, satisfied with our spiritual status while ignoring our call to be seekers. This passage reveals heaven's priority: there is more rejoicing over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who need no repentance. Does your life reflect this same priority? Today, ask God to show you the mirror of truth about where your heart truly lies—with the comfortable found or the uncomfortable lost?

Reading:  Luke 15:11-24 (The Prodigal Son)

The father in this parable didn't wait passively for his son's return—he watched, anticipated, and ran to embrace him. This is radical love that pursues beyond comfort zones. We're called to leave our safe spaces, our church buildings, our Christian circles, and enter the world where the lost reside. This Advent season presents unique opportunities. People expect invitations to Christmas services; hearts are softened toward spiritual things. But invitation requires relationship. You cannot invite someone you don't know. The father knew his son's absence intimately because he watched for him daily. Who are you watching for? Whose absence from God's family troubles your heart enough to pursue them intentionally?

Reading: Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus)

Jesus didn't wait for Zacchaeus to clean up his life before entering his home. He ate with sinners, associated with tax collectors, and scandalized the religious elite. Today's challenge echoes the sermon: attend those parties where people are "sinning boldly." Not to participate in sin, but to participate in their lives. Authentic relationships precede authentic invitations. Zacchaeus's transformation came through encounter, not isolation. The religious people criticized Jesus for his associations, yet those very associations brought salvation to the lost. This Christmas season, whose table will you sit at? Whose eggnog party will you attend? Transformation happens in relationship, not from a distance. Be present with the lost, and watch God work.

Reading: Matthew 9:9-13

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice," Jesus declared when criticized for eating with sinners. The Advent season isn't merely about maintaining tradition with those already found—it's about extending radical invitation to those outside. Christmas and Easter Christians are waiting, almost expecting, to be invited back. But our invitation must be genuine, rooted in relationship, not religious duty. Jesus didn't invite Matthew to synagogue first; He invited him to follow, to belong, to transform through relationship. As you prepare for Christmas, identify your "Scrooges"—those whose lives seem far from Christ. Don't invite someone already attending church elsewhere. Take the risk. Extend the invitation to those who are genuinely lost. Heaven's celebration awaits each one who comes home.