One Lost Sheep

In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus shares the parable of the lost sheep to further reveal the heart of God to us. In it we see that God's love is so merciful and personal that He notices and pursues even one erring sheep.   How amazing that our God is intimately concerned with those who have strayed from His fold. When He finds the sheep in Luke 15:5, "He joyfully puts it on his shoulders" and carries the sheep all the way home. The shepherd never sets the sheep down but carries the entire burden on His strong shoulders.   Likewise, Christ stands ready to take on all of our burdens, whether physical infirmities, heartbreaks, or worries. He has shoulders capable of bearing any weight we are willing to give up to Him. Your burdens become His burdens as you rest in Him.   Christ pursues us, saves us, carries us, and rejoices over us. Luke 15:6 says the shepherd calls his friends and neighbors together and says, "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep."   How long has it been since you brought so much joy to someone that the person wanted to throw you a party? How does it feel to know that your salvation brings such joy to our Almighty God?   Easter is about God's greatest expression of love for you. He stepped down from His throne in Heaven to come, seek and save each one who is lost.   Prayer:    Lord, help me to fully understand how extravagantly You love me. Help me to remember that   You are my shepherd and have given everything, including Your life, to rescue me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.   "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8).     (Via -Michael Youssef)   Be Blessed!!!   Dawn

 

Simply Trusting

 

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. —Psalm 56:3

When our children were young, taking them to the doctor’s office was an interesting experience. The waiting room was filled with toys they could play with and children’s magazines I would read to them. So getting that far with them was no problem. But as soon as I picked them up to carry them into the appointment, everything changed. Suddenly the fun turned into fear as the nurse approached with the needle for the needed shot. The closer she got, the tighter they hugged my neck. They would cling to me for comfort, probably hoping for rescue, not knowing that it was for their own good.

Sometimes in this fallen world we move from times of peace and tranquility into the painful realm of trouble. At that point, the question is, “How will I respond?” We can be fearful and wonder why God allowed this to happen to us, or we can trust that in the midst of this trouble He is doing something that in the end is for our best, even if it hurts. We would do well to remember the words of the psalmist who wrote, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Ps. 56:3).

Like my children, the tougher it gets, the tighter we should hug His neck. Trust Him. His love never fails!

Come quickly, Lord, to help me. Teach me to trust You in times of trouble. Remind me of Your presence and of the fact that You hold me in Your loving arms.

Cling to your heavenly Father; He is your only hope.

Be Blessed!

Dawn