I went out this morning and made a quick message since we were not able to have services at Northwood – Hope you enjoy!

I was reading through some scriptures devotionally and caught these two very similar verses just three verses apart!  Wonder if God might be trying to tell us something here?

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”  Luke 15:7

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10

Numbers matter to God! Especially the number 1!  One person matters to God and you are that person!  In fact every person is that person and every person that realizes the seriousness of their sin and repents of it causes rejoicing in Heaven.

In our culture, we have become convinced that bigger is better and this is just flat wrong.  The number that God and the angels care about is one.  One more coming out of sin and into grace is reason to rejoice.

I have known ministries and ministers that love to talk about the number of converts.  In fact, I have been guilty myself.  Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being excited about many people coming to Christ, but a lot talk about the numbers, but never do anything with them.

The work of the church is not just leading folks into relationship, but helping them to grow in that relationship after they get there.  Jesus commanded us to GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES!  Are you excited about “the one”?  Are you excited about being “the one”?  Are you excited about reaching “one” and growing “one” for the “ONE’s” glory?

I am and I hope you will join me, because 1+1 = 2, and 2 X 2 = 4, and 4 X 4 = 16 and 16 X 16 = 256  (You get the idea – right?) – And it all started with ONE – God who created us and shared His One and only Son Jesus!

We’ve got work to do – I hope we can do it together!

I have just finished making a fresh batch of hot country ham biscuits and am just waiting on my girls to wake up!  Sitting here at my desk, I can see the Christmas tree with its many colors, the spread from Santa on the couch and love seat and still smell the smell of cooked breakfast in the air.  We are very blessed!  We live in a warm, comfortable and cozy home!  We have more than we need and often more than we want!  I am discovering the older I get, that I really am a simple man.  It does not take near what I used to think it would take to make and keep me happy!

Thank You God for life!  Thank You for making a way, where there was no way!  Thank You for giving what I could not give!  Thank You for family and help me to do a better job loving and guiding them during this next year!  Thank You for friends, the ones that are close and getting closer and the ones that are going to be made just around the corner!  Thank You for purpose and the fulfillment that flows through it!  Thank You for giving me time to reflect and be thankful!

I hope you have a little time today to be thankful for the many gifts that God has blessed you with!  Merry Christmas & May you have a blessed new year!