Tag: God

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Love Others

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart, living a life for God’s glory / w2d2

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-21 / SOAP verses 9 and 10

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

Romans 12:9-10 NLT

I love the New Living Translation of this passage. It was a conviction of my heart many years ago when I began using the NLT translation as my study Bible. I had heard the verse many times before in various other translations – but I never “heard or understood” it so clearly as when I read the words, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” You see, to some degree I prided myself on being able to get along with people, to love everyone – even my ‘enemies’ or those who had offended or hurt me. However, when I read “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them” I was hit with the hard internal question of ‘whoa! Do I really love these people or have I just become good at dealing with them, giving the pretense of loving them?”

But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 5:44

How do you love the husband that walks out on you and your children after 26 years of marriage without a word? How do you love those who have persecuted you or lied to you or mistreated you or maligned your testimony, or those who have hurt your family? The answer to all of these came from the words of Christ echoing through my mind – “But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.” One thing I have learned from experience – you don’t do it in your own strength, it is only possible in and through the power of God. For me the first step was remembering that God loved me even when I was His enemy, when I turned away from Him He pursued me, and He has forgiven me and loved me without fail. His mercies are truly “new every morning.” If I’m still struggling to love – the Spirit is faithful to remind me (John 14:26) of Jesus’ command to “love others as He has loved us” – and how He loved us even unto death on the cross. It is God – His grace towards me and His love in me, that truly helps me to genuinely love “others”.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. … but I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

John 15:5 and Philippians 4:13

This is definitely one of those passages that gives validity to the saying that “being a Christian isn’t for sissies.” Following Christ takes work, as Jesus told a crowd that gathered around Him one day – it means “turning from selfish ways, taking up our cross daily, and following Him.” It means, as I have learned through the years, utterly depending on and trusting in Him in all of life and knowing that He alone has given us everything we need for the ‘godly life’ He has called us to. Which is why we find it written, “without Him we can do nothing … but through Him we can do all things.”
‘

We all know that we should love each other, but Paul’s instruction is that our love must be genuine or sincere. In other words, Christians are not called to fake an attitude of love for each other, but to find ways to express God’s love meaningfully, as an extension of God’s love for us and ours for Him.

Gotquestions.org

Reflection on Today’s Journey

How can you intentionally and genuinely demonstrate love and honor to those around you today, allowing God’s love to overflow through your actions and words? hit the comment tab to share your answer/thoughts.

The More We Know

What’s it all mean?

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Loving God

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based on the LGG study, Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory / w2d1

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 / SOAP verses 37-38

 Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 

Matthew 22:37-38

How do we love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind? These three things represent the very core of our being and play a vital role in our relationship with and obedience to God – but how do we do it, and is it even possible?

Jesus’ concern was not the religious law but rather our love of God. In other words, it wasn’t obeying all of the laws that would bring us close to God, but rather, it was God’s love for us and our love for Him that would allow us to have a relationship with Him. Actually, Jesus illustrates this in John 14:15, where He said, “If you love Me, you will obey Me.” There’s a reason why He didn’t say, ‘If you obey Me, then you will love Me.’ You see, obedience flows from love. God’s love, as John 3:16 teaches, flowed through Jesus to us; when we receive His love, we will reciprocate it, and our love will flow to Him out from our hearts, souls, and minds through obedience, worship, and lives set apart for/to God. The more we understand the depth and richness of God’s love, the more our love for Him will grow and flow deeper, richer, and more freely every day.

We cannot love someone we don’t know, so knowing Him should be our first priority. Those who pursue God and His righteousness, who take seriously the command to love Him above all else, are those who are consumed with the things of God. They are eager to study God’s Word, eager to pray, eager to obey and honor God in all things, and eager to share Jesus Christ with others. It is through these spiritual disciplines that the love for God grows and matures to the glory of God.

Gotquestions.org

We must understand that God’s love for us and ours for Him is intended to involve our hearts, souls, and minds. It is not a trite surface type of love, and it must not merely be a rote response learned from the commands or training of a parent, teacher, or religion. Religious duty does not produce love in us. Instead, our love for God will prompt what may be considered a religious duty. For instance, we may be trained to pray before every meal. However, regardless of the training’s purpose, the words we pray are just empty words until they are met with the love and understanding of God’s goodness to provide our ‘daily bread.’ God desires – actually, as we read here – He commands that our love for Him flow naturally from our heart, soul, and mind. Please note that Jesus not only gives the command but accentuates its importance by saying, “All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

What practical steps can you take each day to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and love Him with all your heart?

The More We Know

IT”S IMPOSSIBLE

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog for more insight

Want to know God’s love for yourself? – Know These Truths

Posted in From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Seek First God’s Kingdom

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based on the LGG Study, “Set Apart, Living a Life for God’s Glory”

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34 / SOAP verse 33

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Matthew 6:33

Do you ever worry about life’s needs and wants – and the money that can supply those things? I know I have, and at times, I still find myself falling back to those concerns and worries. Apparently, so did the people in Jesus’ day, which is why this portion of the Sermon on the Mount contains teachings by Jesus about issues like treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven (6:19-21)1-3 and about watching out for the desire of “the eye” (6:22)4. He also warned them that they could not serve two masters (6:24)5, in other words, they could not serve the desires of their heart and eyes and God. This is when Jesus pointed out their worries and cares about the things of this world, like clothes, food, and drink. He wanted them – and us – to know and to remember that God would take care of them and their needs – their greater concern and pursuit (and ours) should be God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Actually, look at the verse again and pay careful attention to the fact that Jesus says, “Pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

To seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness means to live in that ongoing repentance from sin, and to lead the kind of sincere, from-the-heart, devoted-to-God lifestyles Jesus has been describing. In response, God will make provision for whatever it is we truly “need” in order to accomplish His will.

Bibleref.org / Matthew 6:24

The applicable message, then, for us, as disciples of Jesus or simply curious readers of His truths, is to know that it is God who cares for our needs, and we can and should trust Him to do this while we occupy ourselves with the pursuit of His Kingdom and righteousness.

Note that Jesus’ audience in Matthew chapter 6 included “His chosen disciples, committed followers, and simply curious listeners.”  Bibleref.com / chapter five context

The More We Know

1Treasures on earth

2Treasures in Heaven

3Where Your Treasure is

4(think about Eve and what happened when she saw the fruit)

5Two Masters

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog

Are you a disciple of Jesus or simply a curious reader of the blog? If you fall under the curious listener – welcome! I invite you to follow the link to Know These Truths, where you will find all you need to know about becoming a disciple of Jesus.

https://mefromthensideout.wordpress.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Love, Knowledge, Insight

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based on the LGG Study, “Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory“

Scripture: Read Philippians 1:3-11 / SOAP verses 9-11

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight 10 so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11
Paul’s Heart for the Philippians

Verses three through eight should be mentioned as they give an insight to Paul’s feelings about the people in the church at Philippi. His words are a testament to his thankfulness and joy in the people and their dedication to God and the Gospel. It is evident that they held a special place in his heart. No doubt, this affection led to – or at least played a part in – the prayer we read above, in verses nine through eleven.

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-8

It is a beautiful prayer to pray for any church body, ministry leader, missionary, or believer. Actually, we would be wise to pray this prayer of Paul’s for ourselves and everyone participating in this study, that we might know the success of being “set apart” and living a life that brings glory and praise to our God.

Paul’s Prayer

Living a life for God’s glory, if we are honest, is like swimming against the current of the ocean. It is difficult at best and often seemingly impossible in today’s world. We can feel like strangers and aliens or like misfits in a culture that, as my Pastor preached this morning, is totally evil. It doesn’t take long to realize that we need help to live a life that is truly “set apart” for/to God; and the only true help there is comes from praying to and walking with God – our help and strength and defense.

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 

Genesis 6:5

Paul’s prayer for the believers of Philippi is a beautiful prayer and a wonderful example for us to pray. It is evident that he understood the difficulty of living a life that is set apart for (ie. dedicated to) God and the Gospel mission. He knew that it requires an increasing amount of love for, knowledge of, and insight to God and His Word. He knew the importance of a sincere and blameless testimony, and of a fruitful life that comes through Jesus Christ. Paul understood and emphasized that the goal of a believer is to bring glory and praise to God, and he prayed to this end.

A Response of Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Thank You for the power and the strength and the hope we know when we talk to You or spend time with you in Your Word. It is a gift that allows us a relationship with You and the ability to engage in the lives of others as we lift them up in prayer. Thank You for Paul’s example and insight the prayer gives us. As we journey through Your Word together or as we daily live out the life You have called us to – I pray Paul’s prayer back to You, that our love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that we can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to Your glory and praise. – In the name of Jesus – amen!

The More We Know

The 21 Most Effective Prayers of the Bible /by Dave Earley

A Closer Relationship to God Through Prayer

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

The Importance of Praying

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life to Glorify God / w1d3

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 / SOAP Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Regardless of how convinced we are that living set apart from the world is the right way to live the commitment can be daunting. It takes courage to look different, sound different – to be different than the world around us. We may lack boldness and at times true conviction, or we may fear the mocking or desertion of others that often come with the choices we make that are different than the norm. This is is why prayer is essential. God invites us to bring Him all of our anxiety, all our cares, concerns, and fears (1 Peter 5:7). He tells us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5), and to call to Him for help (Ps 17:6; 120:1) and strength (1 Chron 16:11). And He says He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). If you want to live set apart – simply tell God. Ask Him for His help, lean on Him for His strength, and watch expectantly for what happens in the days ahead. Trust Him, He is faithful and He will answer whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him – and we know when we live set apart from the world it pleases Him.

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

1 john 5:14-15
Today’s Prayer

Father, thank You that You hear us when we pray. Thank You for opening Your throne room of grace where we can bring You our anxieties, our fears, and concerns, our need for help and lacking of strength. Thank You for Your promise of wisdom and Your promise to hear and answer. We are most blessed to be Yours but it isn’t always easy to live set apart from the world – to look and sound different than those around us, to have to say no when we would sometimes rather say yes – but You have called us to live in the world but not of it. So we seek Your wisdom, Your strength and peace and help to be courageous. May Your Spirit quickly convict us when we are looking or sounding too much like the world so that our testimony will always be a reflection of Christ in us that brings You glory and lights the way for others to know You. – In Jesus’ name, amen and amen!

The More We Know

The following quote is from Gotquestions.org and address the question about what it means to Live in the world but not of the world. It is helpful in the quest to live set apart and why.

Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.

Gotquestions.org / in the world but not of the world

The LGG Blog offers even more insight

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

The Importance of Praying

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life to Glorify God / w1d3

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 / SOAP Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Regardless of how convinced we are that living set apart from the world is the right way to live the commitment can be daunting. It takes courage to look different, sound different – to be different than the world around us. We may lack boldness and at times true conviction, or we may fear the mocking or desertion of others that often come with the choices we make that are different than the norm. This is is why prayer is essential. God invites us to bring Him all of our anxiety, all our cares, concerns, and fears (1 Peter 5:7). He tells us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5), and to call to Him for help (Ps 17:6; 120:1) and strength (1 Chron 16:11). And He says He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). If you want to live set apart – simply tell God. Ask Him for His help, lean on Him for His strength, and watch expectantly for what happens in the days ahead. Trust Him, He is faithful and He will answer whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him – and we know when we live set apart from the world it pleases Him.

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

1 john 5:14-15
Today’s Prayer

Father, thank You that You hear us when we pray. Thank You for opening Your throne room of grace where we can bring You our anxieties, our fears, and concerns, our need for help and lacking of strength. Thank You for Your promise of wisdom and Your promise to hear and answer. We are most blessed to be Yours but it isn’t always easy to live set apart from the world – to look and sound different than those around us, to have to say no when we would sometimes rather say yes – but You have called us to live in the world but not of it. So we seek Your wisdom, Your strength and peace and help to be courageous. May Your Spirit quickly convict us when we are looking or sounding too much like the world so that our testimony will always be a reflection of Christ in us that brings You glory and lights the way for others to know You. – In Jesus’ name, amen and amen!

The More We Know

The following quote is from Gotquestions.org and address the question about what it means to Live in the world but not of the world. It is helpful in the quest to live set apart and why.

Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.

Gotquestions.org / in the world but not of the world

The LGG Blog offers even more insight

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Making God’s Word A Priority

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory / w1d1

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 / SOAP Joshua 1:8

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. – Joshua 1:8

The passage makes it clear that we cannot begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ if we:

  • do not have a relationship with Him
  • are walking in weakness (on our own)
  • do not know and obey His Word
  • do not believe His promises

However, the passage also makes it clear how we can begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ. God says that if we walk in His ways, “not swerving to the right or the left,” in other words not veering off His righteous path, we will prosper and know success (7). The question is how do we do this effectively while living in a world that pulls us in every direction? God makes it clear to Joshua in verse eight that the answer lies in knowing His Word, actually – he uses the phrase “meditate on it day and night.” The idea is to, as the NET version translates, “memorize” the Word – which of course means ‘to know it.’ David believed that doing this would help him not sin against God, (Ps 119:11). Paul taught the same principle to Timothy, when he encouraged him to know God’s Word so that he would be ready to use it correctly and not be swayed by false teaching, (2 Tim 2:15). If we are to obey God’s Word and correctly share God’s Word with others we must be more than familiar with it, we must know and progressively grow in our understanding of It – otherwise we will fall prey to ways that do not align with the Word of God.

I love the Old Testament passages that teach this so clearly, such as Psalm 119:9-11 and proverbs 4:20-22. These are two of the passages that reignited in me a pursuit of memorizing God’s Word more than three decades ago. As I find myself forgetting more and more these days – one of my frequent prayers has become for God to guard His Word that is hidden in my heart so that even if I forget everything and everyone else I know – I will never forget His Word – for it is my/our life-line, my/our peace and strength and hope – it is the light that guides me/us in God’s way – and it is my/our defense against sin.

Today’s Prayer

Father, without You – without Your promises or knowledge of Your faithfulness we have nothing and we are hopeless. However, with You and through You we have hope and strength and peace to live the lives You have called us to. We may not lead a nation, like Joshua – but You have called us to be salt and light – to be bold with the Gospel – to make disciples – to love as You loved and serve as Christ served. Help us to walk and talk with You daily and help us to know Your Word so that we can trust Your heart. Help us to be strong and brave so that we do not turn away from Your Word and Your calling to walk in all Your ways. – In Jesus’ Name, amen!

Reflections of the Journey

How does saturating our hearts and minds with God’s Word help us live a set apart life and remain anchored to truth?

What are some steps you can/will take to hiding God’s Word in your heart?

The More You Know

Today’s LGG Blog

Memorization tools and techniques:

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I invite you to visit the following link

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The 12th Day of Christmas … 

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Originally posted January 2019

Day 12: Scripture – 1 John 4:14-15 / Name of Jesus – Savior / Ornament – The Cross

The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  —

1 John 4:14-15

When the day is over, just before I crawl into bed, I write in my prayer journal. I write in it of the mornings as well, but the day’s end is reserved for Thank you prayers … Prayers that flow from reflection on the good and bad and mundane things of the day … Reflections that bring realization of God’s presence, protection, correction, provision and most often an awareness of His LOVE. It’s easy to thank God for all the good things He’s done or ways that I’ve witnessed His goodness; the challenge comes in seeing His goodness in the bad and mundane things of the day – but even then – when my focus is on Him thanksgiving flows free and pure. 

Occasionally, however, these bedtime prayers are not from the reflections of the day but reflections of a passage of Scripture or a lesson learned … Tonight’s prayer was an overflow of the 12th day of Christmas. On this final day the symbol we focus on is the CROSS and the name of Jesus is SAVIOR. 

On the 12th day of Christmas my TRUE LOVE gave to me … A Savior who is Christ the Lord. 

So, from tonight’s page in my journal, on this 12th and final day of Christmas, may you be encouraged to thank God for His LOVE …

Father, Thank You for LOVE even when I fail You. In love you sent YOUR ONLY Begotten Son to be my Savior – the Savior of all who believe and confess that Jesus is YOUR SON. Your’s is a love that hung on a cross that I might KNOW forgiveness and freedom. It is a love that sent YOUR SPIRIT to abide in me that I might abide in/with You. It is a love that redeems and pardons — and shows mercy and grace — a LOVE that never leaves. It is  a LOVE that comforts and heals and encourages and hears my prayers even when they are whispered from my bed or spoken in a car or thought in my mind and not journaled here on these pages. Thank you for Your LOVE Father — I LOVE YOU TOO! ❤️

MefromtheNsideout

*Christ, no longer on the cross –
yet, dare I never picture Him there
I may forget the cost
of this most treasured gift of God –
my Savior, Christ The Lord!

Me – from the Inside-Out 🦋
The More You Know

The Bible says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I would love to introduce you to Him. Check out the following link and/or message me – we aren’t promised tomorrow, so why not today?

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

The 10th-Day of Christmas

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Originally posted January 4, 2020

Scripture – 1 Timothy 6:15; Name of Jesus – King of kings and Lord of lords; Ornament – Crown

Jesus may have come as a baby in a manger, but make no mistake – God gave us a King! The King of kings and Lord of lords best describes His power and majesty. He not only has the power to save but to rule over all the earth. God placed all nations and kingdoms under Him! So on this 10th Day of Christmas, I worship Him as my Savior but also my Lord and King. I praise the Father for sending us a gift that saved us from the Kingdom of Darkness and its evil ruler! Satan has been crushed under the heel of my King and Savior, Jesus! Satan no longer has dominion over me for Jesus is my KING!

Posted in Bible study, Christmas, From the Insideout, God is good, Know These Truths, Quiet Time

On The Ninth Day of Christmas

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Originally posted January 3, 2023

Scripture – John 10:11; Name of Jesus – The Good Shepherd; Ornament – Shepherd Staff

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

I love this picture that Scripture paints of our Savior. He saw me among the multitudes – and felt compassion for me – because I was distressed and downcast like a sheep without a shepherd. God in His goodness gave me Jesus, a shepherd to care for me and who willingly laid His life down for His sheep. I am so thankful for His rod and staff, they truly do comfort me. By them, I have known His protection and when I have strayed He has pulled me back to His path of righteousness. – Father, I am forever totally dependent on You and ever grateful for Your Gift of the Savior, my Good Shepherd.

Me – from the Insideout

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

John 10:11