(Jesus said) "... there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7b

A number of years ago Hurricane Katrina pretty well messed up a lot of lives down in the Gulf of Mexico.

One of those lives that was tossed upside down was Scrub's.

During that mighty blow, Scrub was separated from his family. Yes, searches were made, but the truth is Scrub had disappeared.

Now, flash forward five-plus years. A Gulfport, Mississippi, woman was concerned. For months she had been feeding a gray-and-white cat. Now, with a cold snap coming on, she was downright worried. It was that worry which had her pack up the cat and take it to a local animal shelter.

The shelter scanned the cat and found he was carrying an implanted microchip. The microchip enabled them to call the cat's original owner, Jennifer Noble. With some enthusiasm they told her that her lost cat Scrub had been found.

I don't have to tell you there was great rejoicing in the Noble house as Scrub settled in, even sleeping the first night with one of Noble's boys.

This isn't so very much unlike the Scripture that says there is joy in heaven over a sinner who repents. There is joy because when a sinner is brought to repentance by the Holy Spirit and when he is given faith, he is brought home to a grateful family.

When a sinner is touched by the Savior's sacrifice, everything changes for that individual. They are no longer on their own. They have a Brother, a Father, a family of faith.

When a sinner is led to place his faith in Jesus, that individual receives the blessings that Jesus' life, death and resurrection bestow upon all who believe.

When a sinner acknowledges Jesus as Savior, he is brought to a home that has been waiting for him for a very long time.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are a lot of folks like Scrub, who are wandering around alone and afraid. May they, by Your grace, be brought to an acknowledgment of Jesus' work of saving them. Let this happen so they can be welcomed back into the family of faith, back into their home that Jesus wishes to give. In the Savior's Name I pray it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Malachi 1-2    Revelation 21

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