When you think of “sinners” who might be excluded from God’s kingdom, does anyone come to mind? If so, you may be entering dangerous territory. The Pharisees were certain of their own seat at God’s table, convinced that the tax collectors and prostitutes had no such place. But Jesus came precisely for the people the religious crowd wrote off. He welcomes the broken, the fallen, the forgotten with open arms the moment they repent and turn to Him. God’s grace reaches farther than our judgments, and we may be surprised by those who are on heaven’s guest list!

Don’t Be Afraid — Just Believe
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A prominent religious leader fights through the crowd and falls at Jesus’ feet, begging Him to come quickly and heal his dying daughter. But on the way, Jesus stops to help an outcast woman, and during that delay, the little girl dies. The father is shattered, but Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” And what seemed like a tragedy turned into an even greater miracle when Jesus raised his daughter from the dead! Do you feel like you’ve been waiting on God while everyone around you gets their answer? He’s calling you to trust Him and discover that His timing is always right.

