Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s fantastic to be here with you today.
Today is September 12.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

Jesus is here. He’s sitting in your favorite spot, waiting for you to join Him.
You may have a million things on your mind, but for these few moments, set them aside. Relax. Calm your body.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, You rejoice.”
As you exhale, pray: “Over one sinner found.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!
So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
(Luke 15:1–7, NLT)

Notice

What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a phrase or truth that speaks directly to you?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread

Hear these words again listening for what Jesus is saying to you.

Meditate

There is more joy in heaven when one lost sinner is found.
Let that sink in for a moment. More joy. Not mild satisfaction. Not quiet relief. Joy. The kind of joy that calls together friends and neighbors to celebrate.
Jesus tells this story in response to the Pharisees' complaint. They're scandalized that He eats with sinners, that He welcomes the lost and broken. Their attitude is clear: These people don't deserve your time. They're not worth your effort.
But Jesus's story says something radically different. It says: One lost sheep is worth leaving the ninety-nine. One lost sinner is worth the search. One found life is worth the celebration.
The shepherd doesn't calculate the cost-benefit. He doesn't think, *"Well, I still have ninety-nine. One loss is acceptable." No. He leaves everything to find the one.
And here's what should stop you cold: Jesus is telling this story about you. About me. About anyone who has wandered, who has gotten lost, who has strayed from the flock.
You are worth the search. Your return matters. Your homecoming causes heaven to rejoice.
But there's also an invitation here for us. Jesus isn't just telling us how God feels about the lost. He's asking us: Do you feel the same way? When you encounter someone lost, do you complain about them—or do you seek them with Me?
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
When I encounter someone who's lost—spiritually, emotionally, relationally—do I judge them or seek them? Do I complain or do I celebrate?

Respond

Jesus, give me Your heart for the lost. Help me see people the way You see them—worth the search, worth the effort, worth the celebration. Make me someone who seeks, not someone who judges. Help me bring others home.

Exercise

The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: The Search
Today's habit is an act of intentional compassion.
Jesus left the ninety-nine to find the one. Today, you're going to do the same—spiritually speaking.
Think of one person in your life who is lost. Not necessarily lost spiritually (though maybe). Maybe they're lost in addiction, in a broken relationship, in despair, in confusion, in shame. Someone you know who has wandered away from wholeness.
Now ask yourself: Have I written them off? Have I complained about them? Or have I actually searched for them?
Today, take one small action to search:
Send them a text that says, "I've been thinking about you. I care about you. How are you really doing?"
Call them and listen—really listen—to their story.
Invite them to coffee or lunch, not to fix them, but to be present with them.
Pray for them specifically by name.
You're not the shepherd. Jesus is. But you can be someone who helps bring the lost home. You can be someone who celebrates when they're found.
The shepherd didn't search alone. He called together his friends and neighbors to rejoice.
Be that friend. Be that neighbor. Be someone who searches, not judges.

I have two asks of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today and check out the review of this podcast on Elevate Society?
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.