21 Days of Dedication

Day 18

​"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God" (1 John 3:1a, ESV).

"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray" (Matthew 18:11-13). 

Freedom Family, how many times have we gone astray from Him? How many times has He lavished His love upon us by going and "finding" us? How many times have we been able to rejoice with Him as He has found us? 

Too many times to count. This is not a testament to our unfaithfulness. This is not intended to shame us. This is not intended to produce guilt in us. Rather, this is intended to produce great joy in celebrating the faithfulness of our Lord! This is intended to help us focus on His love, the love He has given to us as His children. He has called us His children. That will never change!

This is intended to burn our spirits with the passion that He has for us in finding us time and time again. REJOICE! Rejoice, for our God is faithful even when we are not. Rejoice, for our Lord will find us, no matter what. Rejoice, because no matter what is going on in the world, He is still our God. He is still faithful and true. Rejoice, because His love has been set towards you! Nothing will ever change that. 

"On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand." - Edward Mote

So today, I pray that you would rejoice in Him. Ignore all that would distract you from Him, and rejoice in Him. Rejoice in His love, in the midst of an unloving world. Rejoice in His faithfulness, in the midst of an unfaithful world. Let your love and your joy be based on Him; for ALL other ground is sinking sand. 

-Pastor Tim Escamilla