Joel Osteen Daily Devotional December 3 2022

Romans 2:4, NLT

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

In Luke 19, Jesus shocked the crowd gathered in the streets of Jericho when He called out a corrupt tax collector named Zacchaeus, despised as “a notorious sinner,” and said He was going to stay at his house. He was saying, “Zacchaeus, I know your name, and I’ve been looking for you.” Jesus didn’t tell him everything he was doing wrong. Jesus simply loved him. He showed him mercy. He became his friend. That day was a turning point. Zacchaeus said, “I’m going to quit being dishonest and cheating people. I’m going to start helping others” Zacchaeus changed his ways, not because he was shamed into it, but because he was loved into it.

God has put people in your life right now because He’s counting on you, not to judge them or find fault with them, but to love them. Some of the people whom we think are the furthest off course, such as Zacchaeus, are chosen vessels. Keep standing in the gap. God knows their name, and He’s coming after them.

Father, thank You that You see beyond what we have been to what we can become, and You come to our house and help us change. Thank You that Your kindness and goodness has turned me from my sin. Help me to love others in the same way You have loved me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.