“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 15:4–7, NLT.)
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10, KJV.)
In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables—the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son. Though the settings differ, each story carries the same truth: one soul is priceless.
The word pursuit means “the action of following or pursuing someone or something.” To pursue is to move forward with intention, to seek without giving up. That is exactly what we see in these parables: a relentless, loving pursuit of the lost.
This is the heartbeat of heaven. It is not the calling of a select few; it is the mission of every believer. As Apostolic women—mothers, sisters, daughters, and leaders—we too are commissioned to join in the pursuit of one.
A Love That Pursues
Jesus never minimized the value of one. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for one lost sheep. The woman turns her house upside down to recover one lost coin. The father waits with open arms for one prodigal son to return home.
These are not coincidences—they reveal conviction. Each story reflects the heart of God: He pursued you. He pursued me. Not when we had it all together, but when we were broken, lost, and wandering.
Perhaps someone invited you to a Bible study or church. Maybe it was a grandmother’s prayers or a friend’s gentle witness that stirred your heart. However it happened, someone cared enough to pursue you. And because of that pursuit, you found your way to Jesus.
Now it’s your turn.
1. Pursuing One Starts with Loving God and Loving People
Jesus said in Mark 12:30–31:
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
When we love God deeply, we will love what He loves—and He loves souls. His heart beats for the lost, the hurting, the forgotten, and even the difficult. Loving people means seeing beyond the attitude, the pain, or the past. It means embracing the broken, extending grace to the sinner, and refusing to give up on those who seem far from God.
Jesus declared in Luke 5:32, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The gospel is not for the worthy; it is for everyone who needs saving.
2. Soul Winning in the Bible: Real Encounters, Eternal Impact
Throughout Scripture, we see how one person’s burden for another transformed a life:
- Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4): Rejected by society, Jesus met her with truth and compassion. Her testimony led many to believe.
- Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8): At the Spirit’s prompting, Philip shared the gospel with a man searching for understanding. He believed and was baptized immediately.
- Paul and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16): In chains, Paul and Silas ministered to a man ready to end his life. That night, he and his entire household were saved.
Each story began with one encounter—one act of obedience, one conversation, one moment of courage that changed everything.
Ask yourself:
- When was the last time I invited someone to church?
- When was the last time I prayed for someone by name?
- When did I last share my testimony or offer a Bible study?
Soul winning doesn’t only happen in pulpits. It happens in coffee shops, grocery stores, classrooms, break rooms, and phone calls—wherever God opens a door.
3. Reaching In and Reaching Out
Evangelism is not only about reaching new people; it is also about restoring those who have drifted.
Think of someone who once worshiped with you who no longer attends church. Don’t wait for the pastor to call. Reach out. Send a message, extend an invitation to a Bible study or ladies’ event, and pray for them. Let them know they are loved, missed, and welcome.
The shepherd noticed one sheep missing; we too must notice—and pursue—those who are no longer in the fold.
A Story of Restoration: The Grandfather’s Gift
A young boy once lived with his grandfather, a skilled teddy bear maker. One day, his grandfather surprised him with a hand-sewn bear. The boy was overjoyed and took his new companion outside to play.
While running in the backyard, he tripped, and the teddy bear landed in the mud. Distraught, the boy brought it back to his grandfather. With a gentle smile, his grandfather said, “Don’t worry. We can fix this.” He washed and restored it.
The next day, while the boy was playing at the park, a dog snatched the teddy bear and tore it apart. He ran to his grandfather in tears. Once again, his grandfather said, “Don’t worry. We’ll fix it again.”
He spent the night sewing the torn bear, restoring it once more. When he handed it back to his grandson, he lovingly said, “Take good care of this. It’s precious—just like you.”
This story reflects Jesus’ pursuit of one. The grandfather represents Christ—loving, patient, and willing to restore again and again. The teddy bear represents the soul we are called to reach. And the young boy? That’s you and me—called to guard and cherish the souls God has entrusted to us.
No matter how many times a soul is broken or lost, God is willing to restore it. So long as we bring it back to Him.
4. THE Value of One
There is nothing more valuable than a soul. Not wealth, status, or achievement. When eternity is at stake, only the soul matters.
Jesus left Heaven’s glory to pursue you. He endured the cross, despised the shame, and bore our sins, all for the hope of reconciliation. If He went that far for one, so must we.
The pursuit of one may require sacrifice—time, energy, even reputation—but it is always worth it.
As Apostolic women, we carry the truth of the gospel. Let us carry it not only with boldness but with burden. Let us make it our mission to pursue one—one neighbor, one family member, one friend, one co-worker. And let us do it, not out of obligation, but out of love.
Will You Pursue the One?
In Luke 15, every parable ends with joy. Heaven celebrates when even one sinner repents.
So I ask you:
- Who is your “one”?
- Who has God placed in your path?
- Who can you reach this week with prayer, an invitation, or your testimony?
The pursuit of one is not a slogan or sermon—it’s a lifestyle. It is choosing to see the world through Heaven’s eyes and stepping out of comfort for the sake of compassion.
Let us pursue one—not tomorrow, but today. Let us be intentional, consistent, and prayerful.
Because in the eyes of God, one is never just one.
One is everything.
Today’s devotional was written by Wylleen May Dimatulac.
