Includer

Daily Reading: Hosea 1

 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” (Hosea 1.10)

Devotional Thought: I once had an evangelist who was at our church ask me, “Scott, why do you have to touch everybody that goes by?”  I think he found it amusing that I made some sort of physical contact with as many people as possible in the foyer of the church.  I couldn’t give him an answer, I just knew it's what I do.  Years later, I took the Clifton Strengthsfinders assessment and discovered that one of my strengths was "Includer."  I subconsciously work to make sure that no one is excluded.  At times, that stretches me pretty thin.  My arms aren’t long enough! 

God is the ultimate “Includer”!  He is not willing that anyone should be left out.  He does not want anyone to spend eternity away from him.  Of people who have sinned against him, his heart’s cry is that they become "Children of the living God."  He did that for me!  He will do it for all who call upon the name of the Lord!

If you are feeling left out or forgotten by people, if life is happening all around you but passing you by, or if no one seems to care whether you are part of the group or not, take heart!  God has claimed you as his own!  He says to you, “You are my people!  Will you make me your God?”

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for including me in your family.  I gladly take my place as a child of the King!  Help me to reach out to include others as well.  In the name of Jesus, who came to me that I might come to you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 80.1-3

"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!"