Scripture Reading
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So, they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:24
Thought of the Day
John Newton was a captain of a slave ship back in the mid 1700’s. He had suffered greatly in his life with abuse and the loss of his mother when he was a child. Newton had some religious training as a child but over time he admitted that he had no religious conviction. On May 10, 1748, Newton had an experience that changed his life forever. There was a massive storm and Newton thought that ship would sink, and he would die. It was then that he had what he referred to later as his “great deliverance.” He recorded in his journal that he exclaimed, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” From that experience, Newton became a great man of faith and left the seas to become a minister. He wrote many hymns including the beloved, AMAZING GRACE. Newton knew that he was that wretch that was lost and now found by God. He wrote many great things and I recently found this gem. (Newton wrote this in first person and used the word “man.” I changed it to “person” to be more inclusive.)
I am not the person I ought to be. I am not the person I wish to be, and I am not the person I hope to be, but by the grace of God, I am not the person I used to be.
Being a servant of God does change us. It changes how we see and treat others. It changes how we love. It changes how we live. I can surely say that by the grace of God, I am a new person. I hope you can say the same.
Prayer
Amazing God, Your grace is amazing and has a sweet sound. Thanks for that. Amen.