To be like Jesus 62

“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zachaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little in stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him,

Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for I must abide at thy house.

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be with a man guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore unto him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him,

This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost.” Luke 19 v1-10 AKJV

So who is the lost, and what does it mean to be saved? To the one who has truly been saved, there is no question to the answer of both the questions. The inside is bubbling over to reach others on the outside. A favorite song of mine I heard of the children in Africa, “Jesus Love is bubbling over,” and it is.

So how is it we seem to work against one another? Finding the balance-today, a part of the note I wrote to ask the church of which I felt maybe a distant part-“Please, do not accept my wrong-for that could be my destruction, but accept my pardon-for that is my liberty.” The presentation of our first greeting, not so well but in time…

Pray, and when you think you have prayed enough, pray some more.-TBLJ 56 “God be merciful to me a sinner” he prayed-TBLJ 57 The innocence of a child, Lord, let us put wholly our faith and trust in you. Amen TBLJ 58 renew a right spirit within me-TBLJ 59 “…pray…for them also which shall believe on me through their word…”- Jesus prayed TBLJ 60 “thy faith hath saved thee” said Jesus to the blind man who could see. TBLJ 61

and today. Today is your day, and I thank you Lord. Lord, as the weeks come, let our disciplines be purposely pro-active so that we may better and better enjoy and recognize your presence-Prayer from a friend in a far away place. Amen

March 3