“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” — Luke 15:10
Major moments are special memories. We cherish the program from our high school graduation, and the pictures and videos from birthday parties. We experience a wide range of emotions on anniversaries and during retirement receptions. On wedding days, photographers take lots of pictures and try to show every person attending, especially the bride and groom and their extended families.
Though we cherish time with family and friends, the best time of our life is when we turn to Christ for salvation and begin a new life with our dear Savior. Suddenly, our hearts overflow since we are now believers. The prophet remarked about us rejoicing, “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10).
When the woman at the well met the merciful God (John 4), she wanted everybody to know about Jesus. Instantly, she shared with others about the forgiving God and a better brand of living. “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward him” (John 4:28-30).
In a similar way, Zacchaeus had a spring in his step and a song in his heart when Jesus changed him from a greedy person to a generous man. “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly” (Luke 19:5-6).
There is no moment more special than when someone gives their life to the Lord.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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