When Jesus called Matthew, a tax collector, to be a disciple, the Pharisees and scribes were totally upset. They saw tax collectors as ritually unclean and therefore socially “off-limits” to devout Jews. Matthew (also known as Levi) was a Jew, but he was also a hated outcast. According to the religious leaders he was “unclean” because he worked for the Roman government. Also, the tax collectors also made “extra” money by charging the people more than the tax required. Needless to say, tax collectors were despised, rejected, hated. Yet, Jesus called Matthew to follow him and be His disciple.

The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why are you eating with those kinds of people – the tax collectors and sinners? Jesus’ response was, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” The very people Jesus came to Earth for was for sinners.

Matthew wasn’t the only one. We can also see Jesus sitting by a well because He had a divine appointment with the Woman at the Well. Or, the woman who was caught in adultery and shoved at the feet of Jesus. The religious leaders wanted to stone her. Did you ever notice it was just her? Where was the man she was caught in adultery with? No one brought him for stoning. But Jesus quietly begins to write in the sand and those with stone in their hands began to walk away. When the last one as gone, he asked the woman, “Where are your accusers?” She looks around realizing they were all gone and says, “No where.” Jesus lovingly says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” And then there’s the thieves crucified with Jesus. One died lost and went to hell. But the other one, recognized Jesus as His Savior and cried out, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

The King of kings came to seeking sinners. Sinners like me and like you. The Pharisees thought so highly of themselves that they saw no need for Jesus as a Savior. They were content with the ritual cleaning. They didn’t want to be confronted with their need for a Savior. They saw themselves as righteous through the rituals that had been handed down since the days of Moses. For someone to know and recognize their need for a Savior, they must first see themselves as sinners who were spiritually sick and in desperate need for a spiritual physician who could introduce them to grace, forgiveness, and repentance. That is why He came – he came seeking sinners to call them to repentance.

Jesus, thank you for calling us to repentance. Thank you for sitting with sinners so that we can know of your love, grace, and forgiveness. Thank you for coming to earth so that we can see our need for You. 

#seeking sinners #invitationtorepentance

Join us in 52 days of prayer as each day we pray for a different state. Commit to one day of fasting on the day we unite in prayer for your state. On the day we pray for your state, get a group of your Christian family and friends together via phone or video conference and lead a prayer meeting for your sate. As you pray each day pray for the following:

1. Pray for God to remove the Coronavirus from that state. We will pray for states in order of most affected to least affected as reported on the World Health Organization Website.
2. Pray for God to heal each person who has the virus in the state for which we are praying
3. Pray for the family members who have lost loved ones due to the virus. Ask God to comfort them and to make His presence known to them.
4. Pray for God to humble the hearts of His people and that they will seek His face with all their heart, mind, and soul
5. Pray for repentant hearts that will confess any sin and to be willing to turn from sin and set their minds on Christ 
6. Ask God to hear us from Heaven, to forgive our sin (both individually and nationally) and heal our land
7. Invite God to be Lord in our nation, our government, and in our homes

Download the 52 day prayer guide by clicking the image below: The prayer guide is available for free download to individuals and churches and may be reproduced in any quantity both printed and electronically through websites, email, social media, apps, or any other method. 

#Chronovirus #fastandpray #judgement #repentance #revivalin2020 #WCM

Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:

Memorize and hide in your heart one memory verse each week in 2020. If you didn’t start the challenge at the beginning of the year, just jump in now and be sure to sign up to get our weekly Memory verse in your email so you don’t miss a week.

In 2020 our emphasis is on revival for America with three key words: revive, renew, and redeem. You will begin to see the elements of our website and posts reflect this emphasis. We hope you’ll join us in praying for God to pour out the Holy Spirit with a mighty rushing wind of revival for our nation and around the world.

 

Our key verse for revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.  For the past few  weeks, we have been focusing on repentance. This week, we look at the spiritual transformation that takes place when we surrender our heart to God.

This week’s memory verse:

2 Chronicles 20:9

 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ 

Meditate and apply:

Will you commit to praying with us in 2020 that God will revive His people, renew our faith, and redeem our land? We feel such an urgency and desperation for revival. If God is moving your heart for revival, write your revival prayer in the comments along with your state or country. 

#Chronovirus #fastandpray #judgement #repentance #revivalin2020 #WCM

• Keeps drinks hot or cold for hours
• Slide lid
• Sweat-free
• Hand wash
• Boxed
• Faith over fear. Psalm 118:6trending design graphics on teal tumbler

Nope Not Today Satan Stainless Steel Tumbler, Pink By Kerusso Activewear Steel tumbler with sipper lid, 10 ounce capacity for a generous cup of coffee plus your favorite add-ins Dual-walled stainless steel tumbler Keeps drinks hot or cold for hours Slide lid Sweat-free Hand wash Boxed Nope. Not today satan. . Trending graphics on hot pink tumbler

Faith Over Fear Cap, Denim By Kerusso Activewear When God is for us, no person, and no challenge, can stop us in our tracks. Because of our faith, we don’t have to give in to fear — it’s that simple. Wear this stylish Christian cap from Kerusso’s grace & truth® collection to share this brave message with those who don’t yet know the Lord. Cool baseball cap in blue denim with embroidered Scripture reference from Psalm 56:4 in tan. Front: Faith Over Fear Visor: Psalm 56:4 Side: grace & truth Cotton Twill for durability Top stitching and embroidery Mid-profile, 6-panel cap with pre-curved visor Adjustable velcro closure One size fits most

God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage

By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press
There’s no doubt that marriage is hard work. Yet it can also be one of the most fulfilling relationships you can experience, outside of your relationship with God. However, many marriages leave God outside of the relationship. Godly marriages do not happen without cultivating it, investing in it, and putting God first in your individual lives and in your marriage.
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples