Jamie opened the fridge for an after-school snack but didn’t see anything worth her time. She headed to the den and flipped on the family computer. Hope Ashley is on the computer, she thought. I need a good buddy chat right now.

Jamie always looked forward to chatting with her cousin and enjoyed her perspective on things as a college student.

She was soon logged on and began chatting with Ashley.

jamie17: Hey, Cuz! What’s happening?

20ash: Got that part-time job on campus I was hoping for. Now I’ll finally have some extra $$. What’s goin’ on with you?

Jamie17: Remember that guy in my science class I told you about?

20ash: Tim, right?

Jamie17: Yeah. What a jerk! He’s constantly picking on me. I’m so fed up with it, I can’t stand it!

20ash: Hey, Cuz! Maybe he likes you and just doesn’t know how to show it.

Jamie17: No, Ashley. This guy hates everyone! He’d just as soon spit on you as say hi to you.

20ash: Whoa! Have you invited him to youth group?

Jamie17: You’re kidding, right?

20ash: Nope.

Jamie17: You couldn’t pay me to invite this guy to church!

20ash: Whoa, Cuz! Even though he’s a jerk, he’s also someone Christ died for!

Jamie17: Well, someone else can invite him. I can’t stand the guy.

20ash: But, Jamie, think of it this way: If no one shares the gospel with Tim, he could end up in hell—forever separated from God.

Jamie17: Okay, I know this sounds terrible . . . but I’m just being honest. Ashley, Tim deserves hell.

20ash: So do you, Ash. So do I. We were all born with sin, remember?

Jamie17: You don’t understand, Ashley! If Tim hears the gospel, who knows? There’s a chance he may actually decide to give his life to Christ. I don’t want that to happen! I don’t want him in church . . . or even in heaven.

20ash: Okay, now I’m being honest, Jamie! You’re dealing with a major attitude problem. In fact, let’s call it for what it really is: Sin!

Jamie17: But I’m just being honest, Ashley. I don’t want to pray for him, I don’t want to see him get saved, and I don’t want anyone reaching out to him.

20ash: Girl, we got to do some heavy prayin’. But before we do, I want you to read the story of Jonah.

Jamie17: What’s that got to do with anything?

20ash: Believe it or not, Jamie, you’re Jonah!

Know It!
Jesus wants everyone in the entire world to be saved! The Bible tells us the reason He’s delaying His return to earth is simply so more people will hear the gospel and have the opportunity to come to Him.

Read It!
Isaiah 48:1-11; Joel 2:12; 1 Corinthians 9:16.

Pray It!
Ask God to bring the people to your mind with whom you have attitude problems with. Seek His forgiveness.

Check out yesterday’s devo, Checking Your Commitment.