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Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them." He told them this parable: "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? Luke 15:1-4 WEB.

Jesus Christ came to save the lost, and sinners like us were drawn to Him like a magnet. Yet, the religious establishment of the time grumbled about it constantly. If they had their way, the religious elite would have driven the sinners as far away as possible. Yet, Jesus didn't allow them to. He came to seek out and save the lost (Luke 19:10). In Luke 15:10, Jesus said that the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents.

One night, while I was playing in a band at a party, He found me in the middle of a song. It is odd to explain, but I suddenly saw myself in a third-person view, and He instantly gave me a new outlook on my life. In a single moment, He changed my mind. He refreshed my hope that there was something more. His loving presence came upon me in such a way that I put my bass guitar up at the end of the song, went home, lay on the floor, and surrendered to His calling in tears. No one had to preach to me, for I already knew what I had to do.

The following day, I went to church and was soon baptized. I prayed about quitting the band I was in, but He said no. So I had the pastor pray with me, and he heard no. I needed the money anyway, so I continued playing the nightclub circuit while wearing a Jesus t-shirt and a guitar strap with a red cross on it. Soon His presence began showing up in the bars I was playing at, and prophetic words would come to me for those in the room. I preached my first sermons in bar parking lots, and they were anointed. People would begin trembling under His power, and I led some of them to the Lord. It was an amazing time.

Jesus Christ still has friends in low places. They may put His statue in glorious sanctuaries, but you will still encounter His presence outside those walls in the dust and the dirt. He still wants to speak with you today, but some of the super religious will look down on you and try and drive you away from Him just as they did then. Don't give up, and know that it is never Jesus Christ who pushes you away. He will reach people right where they are. If you let Him, He will even use your hands to touch them and your voice to speak His words.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for leading by example. You are not a respecter of persons. In Your eyes, all of us are created equal. Please let me see people as You see them, and fill me with Your discernment. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: The FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) would like to announce that "Feel Good Friday" is officially back! On this day, we uplift each other with posts of encouragement and joy! All are welcome to join and participate at the FAAD group! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.