A little 9-year-old girl came home from VBS one day. She proudly told her parents and little brother that Jesus was living in her heart now! Mom and Dad were so proud, and made a big deal out of it.

Later that day, her little brother said something she did not like, and she hauled off and knocked the soup out of him! He did not know much about church, but he knew a Christian should not act like that! He said, I thought you said Jesus was living in your heart?

She replied, He is, but He is asleep right now!²

If you are anything like me, this little illustration hit a little too close to home! How many times have our actions reflected a “sleepingâ€� Jesus? How many times have we professed Jesus with our mouth and then allowed our attitudes to contradict our faith? The Bible instructs us to be transformed by renewing our mind, leaving behind worldly things behindâ€"including its attitudes and actions (Rom.12:2). It would do us good to remember that our God never sleeps! (Ps. 121:3-4) So using that as an excuse is not a valid action. We are blessed to serve a God that is ever-present and even at our worst and in our ugliest moments, He does not stop loving us! (Lam. 3:22-23) His mercy toward us is new every morning!

Suggested prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for your mercy and your unending love for me. Give me a renewed joy for the things that please you. Restore in me the joy of my salvation. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1.    2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV).

2.    www.sermoncentral.com

The Encounter for today was written by: Veronica B.