Tag: salvation

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Armor of God

Every Thought

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based on the LGG Study, The Armor of God / w5d1

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 / SOAP: verse 17

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).

Ephesians 6:17

Over the past four weeks of our journey we have seen evidence from God’s Word that:

  • His truth supports us as we live out His calling on our lives.
  • His righteousness is a protective covering for our hearts and souls from the evil one.
  •  His Shoes of Peace are to help us stand firm defensively and run swiftly offensively.
    • Defensively: when the enemy targets us (or others), we must press our ‘feet’ firmly into God’s Truth so that we are not easily shaken or knocked down.
    •  Offensively, we must always be ready to ‘run’ with the message of His Peace so that others will know the hope of our salvation through Jesus Christ.
  •  His Shield of Faith can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. These arrows of fear, doubt, temptations, and a myriad of others are part of the enemy’s strategy to steal, kill, and destroy God’s children. However, as we have seen, by faith, we are overcomers, and God’s Shield is a protective barrier for us to use against all the flaming arrows.
The Full Armor

When I consider the pieces of armor we’ve picked up in the first four weeks of our journey, I feel secure. However, I know I must not stop with the Shield of Faith. God’s instructions through Paul are to “Put on the full armor of God.” To do anything less is to be careless and put ourselves, and possibly others, in jeopardy.  

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground –

Ephesians 6:12-13

Remember with me for a minute the scene in the Garden. The serpent tempted Eve by messing with her mind, making her doubt what God had said or meant, and enticing her through her senses. Scripture says that Eve saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food, was attractive to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise;  the serpent had captivated her mind, and Scripture says, she took the fruit and ate it, then she gave some to Adam and he also ate it. While we might want to say or think we will not do what Eve did, the reality is we all know that, but by the grace of God, we will. The enemy is still actively at work today, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy God’s people. He still messes with our minds, hoping we will fall for his cunning and deceitful words, just like Eve, which is why we must stay alert. It is why we must put on the Helmet of Salvation to protect our mind from the enemy and the lies and the games he plays with what we think and believe or perceive to be true. 

If you want victory over the mind the helmet is not optional. It can save you from the enemy’s schemes and lies.

As I’m sure you’ve heard me say, my mind is a battlefield. I have been putting the Helmet of Salvation on since the first time I studied Ephesians six, close to thirty years ago, and yet even this week, I have seen how very vulnerable I am if I don’t wear it well. God has shown me it isn’t enough to go through the motions of “putting the armor on.” I must live as a warrior who understands what the pieces are and how to use them so that when they are needed, I’m not caught off guard. God faithfully and graciously continues to train me in protective procedures through studies like this and the practical application in the daily battles of this world. Being alert to the enemy is one defense I cannot afford to let down; I’ve seen what happens when I do. I must stay on guard, alert to the enemy’s schemes, as well as my weaknesses, and ready to stand firm.

Because of our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ we have the assurance of God’s forgiveness. We have the great privilege of knowing that we are no longer under the requirements of the law but instead we live in the freedom of God’s grace and the hope of eternity. This is the bottom-line of the helmet of salvation. Gotquestions.org writes that, “The idea in this verse is that, as we prepare for Satan’s attacks, we must grab that helmet and buckle it on tightly. Salvation is not limited to a one-time act of the past or even a future hope. God’s salvation is an ongoing, eternal state that His children enjoy in the present. It is daily protection and deliverance from our sin nature and Satan’s schemes.”

Keep in Mind

Because of the power of the cross, our enemy no longer has any hold on us (Romans 6:10; 8:2; 1 Corinthians 1:18). He knows that, but he also knows that most of God’s children do not know that—or, at least, they do not live as if they know. We must learn to keep our helmets buckled so that his fiery missiles do not lodge in our thoughts and set us on fire. Through this helmet of salvation, we can “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

So suit up and don’t forget the helmet – 💕

Going Further in the Journey

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Live Out Loud

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Today’s Verse: James 2:17

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

I was saved at a young age and I have witnessed God strengthening my faith through the years. Actually, He continues to strengthen it day by day, trial by trial, miracle by miracle, and unending mercy, love, and grace. I can look back now and see how God pursued me when I wasn’t pursuing Him. In His goodness He convicted me when my life’s actions did not align with my profession of faith.

Today’s verse is a reminder to stay in God’s Word and live like Jesus every day – so that our faith will continually be strengthened and always accompanied by actions that speak louder than words.

What does active faith look like?

It looks like Jesus – which includes things like …

  • loving others like He loved us
  • forgiving others who wrong us
  • showing kindness to friends, neighbors, strangers, and even enemies
  • helping a ‘neighbor’ in need
  • loving even your enemy
  • loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength
  • sharing with others in need
  • Sharing the Gospel message
  • and so much more, not the least of which is
    • laying down your life for your friend and
    • dying to self – daily

Wake the neighbors, get the word out
So come on crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
This is life we’ve been given, made to be lived out loud

Steven Curtis Chapman – Live Out Loud

May we let the evidence of God and His goodness flow from our lives and words everyday – all day!

Check out today's inspiration for this post @ 'Our Daily Verse'
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

The World-vs-Your Soul

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Today’s Verse: Mark 8:36

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36

Have you ever known someone that was never satisfied? You know, the person who seems to have everything going for them but they’re just never content. Their lack of satisfaction or contentment motivates them to grasp at the next best thing “the world” offers with the thought or the hope that “it” will make them happier. A better car… a bigger house… a better relationship…a better job… more money… more status… more accolades… more happiness… you get the picture. The list is endless and exhausting, and according to today’s verse – it can be dangerous.

Don’t get me wrong, none of these things in themselves are bad – but the danger comes when our motive is based on what the world offers or says is best rather than on the reality of what God has given us. For God has graciously gifted us with “life to the full”(John 3:16 and 10:10). This gift includes the Kingdom of Heaven and an eternity in paradise with Him! There is nothing better or anything in the world that can make our joy and contentment fuller than this. 

Check out today's inspiration for this post @ 'our daily verse'

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel

The One

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-16:31; SOAP / Luke 15:4-7

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?5 Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

Luke 15:4-7 NET
Ouch!

I don’t know about you but when I read today’s verses, especially the focus passage, there was much conviction and it left me realizing how very important this question is for Jesus’ followers.

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?

Luke 15:4

We have been commissioned by Jesus to go and make disciples – to share Jesus and His Gospel message with the world – continuing His mission to “seek and save the lost”. To be clear we can not save the lost, only Christ can do that. However, we can till the ground, plant the seed, and water it so that it can take root and grow. We can study to know His word so that we are ready with and an answer for the hope that is within us, ready and useable to lead the lost to Jesus. We can pray boldly and wait expectantly, to rejoice with every lost person who repents.

Jesus and all of heaven rejoice over every lost person who repents. As His followers, we know what it was like to be lost, and we know the true joy of being found. May we continue to follow Him, especially as we seek the lost. Only Jesus can save, but we can rejoice over every sinner who is found.

LGG Team Member / w5d2 journal devo, P168
Response to God’s Word

Father, how very convicted I am after reading this passage and realizing how very little I actually look for one that is lost. I pray for those who are but I fear I’m too often preoccupied to leave the “99”. Forgive me and help me to be more observant and purposefully diligent to seek the lost and share with them Your Son and the salvation He came to bring. – Amen, in and for the name of Jesus –

Moved to Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Uncategorized

The Importance of the Word

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 8:1-21; SOAP / Luke 8:21

But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Luke 8:21 NET

As I was reading back through my notes on verse 21 and thinking about how to put what I had journaled into words, the words from an old church camp song came flooding through my mind. I don’t remember all the words but it included several verses about not being able to get to heaven on roller skates, or in a rocking chair, or with a limousine. If I could add one verse to these after reading today’s passage, it would be “Oh you can’t get to heaven by who you know.” That’s the jest of today’s passage and Jesus’ response to His mother and brothers desire to see Him. Actually, the commentary I read said they were concerned for His health and wanted to take Him home to rest. However, being in the middle of a very important lesson for which a very large crowd had gathered no doubt influenced His answer. No disrespect was intended only the need for them and all who were listening to understand that, first and fore-most He was God’s son and thus it was those who were “hearing the Word of God and doing it” that bore the truer family-ties.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 10:17 NLT

More than once in sharing the Gospel with someone or in response to asking someone if they are a believer, I have received answers like – “Yeah, I’ve been baptized and go to church every Sunday”, or “I’ve always tried to live the good Christian life”, or “well, I don’t go to church any more but my mom and dad took me every week when I was growing up …” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that those who answered like that aren’t saved but we certainly can’t hang our hope of salvation on going to church or living a good Christian life. Salvation comes through faith alone in Christ alone, and as Paul wrote – faith comes through hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We are saved by grace through faith – not church, or baptism, our good works, our ‘knowledge’ of Jesus, or our earthly family ties.

It is worth noting and perhaps helpful to understand that Jesus’ response to His mother and brothers came shortly after His sharing the parable of the sower. A lesson on a sower and his seed and the responsibility of those who hear the Word to let it penetrate the heart and bring about good works. The lesson is the same for His mother and brothers. They cannot depend on who they are to Him but must respond to who He is to them.

Sandwiched in between the parable of the sower and and the response to his family came a brief statement about letting your light be seen. This follows the teaching on the seed that landed on the good soil – defined as “the ones who, after hearing the Word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance. One commentary explains it like this:

the meaning of Luke’s verses seems to be that listeners are to be like the good soil, accept the seed, and produce fruit (Luke 8:8). In the same way, people are to “enter” and “see the light,” working hard to understand the truth and application of Jesus’ teaching (Luke 8:18).

Bibleref.com on Luke 8:15-18
Some Application: Turning facts into action (or knowledge into wisdom)

I feel like I am constantly learning more about who Jesus is and who He has called me to be. So I loved seeing that even though Mary had the personal knowledge of who He was, backed up by the angelic announcement, she was still learning more about who He was, what it meant, and how to deal with it.

We don’t get to heaven because of who our family is or what they believe – but solely because of what we do with what we hear in the Gospel. For example Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 3:16, 6:47, and 13:34.

Response to God’s Word

Father, I have heard Your Word all of my life and I believe … You are Go, the Father-make of heaven and earth. I believe You so loved the world – me included – that You sent Your only son to live and die for me. I believe He lived a spotless life despite the pain and temptations He faced – He stayed TRUE to living out Your will for all to see. I believe He was born of the virgin Mary, and that He intercedes for me at the right hand of Your throne and is able to forgive my sins. I believe He left examples and instructions on how to live and that You have empowers me, as a believer, with the Holy Spirit so that I might live as You have called me to live – the same Spirit who teaches me all things and reminds me of everything You’ve said. He also convicts me of my sin and leads me to repentance. I believe in the Holy Spirit, and pray that I might be always yielded to His teaching, leading, and conviction toward repentance. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen and Amen!

Want More?

Check out today’s blog at Love God Greatly

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

“He Sees, He Knows, He Cares”

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An Invitation for The Journey

You are invited to join me for this six-week journey through the Book of Luke. We will be using the Love God Greatly study, He Sees, He Knows, He Cares, Our journey will take us through Luke’s writings of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Our destination: The Empty Tomb!

Introduction

The Gospel of Luke offers a unique perspective of the life of Christ. Luke did not meet Jesus in person, yet he followed Him. Luke was a physician, an intellectual who was passionate about sharing all he could about Jesus with his friend Theophilus. Luke teaches about the humanity of Jesus, the Sonship of Jesus, and the care, concern, and power of Jesus.

This Gospel highlights a variety of events from Jesus’ life. The first two chapters emphasize the Old Testament promises of the coming Messiah. Luke 3:1—4:13 demonstrates that Jesus was and is the Messiah. Verses 4:14—9:50 show Jesus’ power, His teaching, and the way He cares for those in need. The conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leadership is the main focus of the next section (9:51—19:44), as Luke focuses on what true discipleship looks like and the cost of following Jesus. The final section, 19:45—24:53, describes the Passion of Christ and the events surrounding His death and resurrection.

Tradition has credited Luke with the authorship of this Gospel. As the only Gentile author of a New Testament book, Luke was a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys. Luke is also credited with authoring the Book of Acts, and it is assumed that the two books were written around the same time. Since the Book of Acts records Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, some scholars estimate that Acts was written sometime after A.D. 62. This dates the Gospel of Luke between A.D. 64 and A.D. 66. 

The Gospel of Luke encourages us to love God greatly because of its unique portrayal of Jesus’ life and ministry. Luke provided details of Jesus’ life that allow us to see His humanity and deity, displaying His great compassion for His people and His power over evil. We also see what it looks like to be a true disciple of Jesus and His unceasing pursuit of the lost.


LGG Team

Help Wanted

My mission is to encourage, equip, and empower others with the Word of God. Will you help me by sharing this post/link with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family – both saved and unsaved. and invite them to join us for the journey as we move toward Easter focusing on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. My prayer is that the saved will be brought closer, the wanderers will find their way out of the wilderness, and the lost will be saved! ME – from the Inside-out 🦋

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Importance of Prayer, The Importance of Prayer

Love Overflowing

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Today’s Reading: Matthew 16:18; Philippians 1:9-11; Revelation 2:4; SOAP: Philippians 1:9-11

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Paul’s prayer is for the love of the Philippians to overflow …. and that they will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

  • Why? Because he wants them to understand what really matters
  • Why? So that they may live pure and blameless lives

He also prays that they may always be filled filled with the fruit of their salvation

  • What is that fruit?
    • Paul explains that it is the righteous character that Jesus produces in them
  • Why does the fruit of righteousness matter?
    • Because it brings praise and glory to God …. and that is what really matters. We know this because we are told in Scripture that we were created by Him and for Him.

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Revelation 4:11

Paul’s prayer here for the Philippians is probably one of the most important prayers we can pray for each other as well as for ourselves. He’s praying about what really matters – not just that they might grow in love but in the knowledge and understanding of how to live and love like Jesus Christ. Paul knew that the more we understand about how Jesus lived the more like Him we will be. It’s hard to imagine living “pure and blameless lives” but that is the prayer and encouragement of Paul. – Not just because he believed it was possible but because Paul understood what really matters and he wanted the church to understand it as well – because He knows it will bring praise and glory to God. He explains the secret behind it – and that is Jesus Himself living in us – His Spirit doing the work and producing the fruit that bears witness that our faith is real – and that glorifies God.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Praying According to His Will

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Inspired by The Importance of Prayer, a LGG Study, w3d2
Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:13-15; SOAP: 1 John 5:14

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.  And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.  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 5:13-15

Once upon a time …. God lived in a temple built by human hands. His presence was behind a curtain and accessible only through an earthly priest. God’s people would come to the temple to worship as they had been instructed and to offer sacrifices of the blood of animals. Their sacrifices were atonements to pay for all the ways they had broken the laws that God had given them – no matter how hard they might try to keep the law as God desired – it was an impossible feat. The earthly priest, who was allowed to pass behind the curtain once a year, would make sacrifices on behalf of himself and the people year after year because their’s was not an everlasting atonement.

“The veil in the temple was a constant reminder that sin renders humanity unfit for the presence of God. The fact that the sin offering was offered annually and countless other sacrifices repeated daily showed graphically that sin could not truly be atoned for or erased by mere animal sacrifices. Jesus Christ, through His death, has removed the barriers between God and man, and now we may approach Him with confidence and boldness (Hebrews 4:14-16).”

Gotquestions.org

However, in time, God sent forth His only “begotten son” to become an atonement that would forever cover the sins of all those who believed in him. The atonement did not come easy, not only did God give up His one and only son, the son had to be born as a human and dwell among men. He took on the form of a servant and He loved like no one had loved before. He called others to follow him and performed miraculous acts of compassion through healing. He walked among the pious, devoutly religious, and sinners. He was questioned, ridiculed, and eventually sentenced to death – though no wrong could be proved against him.

Though he had faced all the temptations known to man – he was a man without sin. He was hung upon a criminal’s cross and He was crucified. A crown of thorns was used to mock his claim to be ‘king of the Jews’. He was stripped of his clothes, spit upon, and tortured beyond our understanding – all so that God’s plan would be accomplished. This plan, His plan, was born out of His love and His desire to dwell among men. It was a plan to save people from their sins – not through the sacrifices of animals over and over again but through His son who met all the requirements of a perfect sacrifice, a once and for all sacrifice. He was the true and spotless ‘Lamb of God’.

Remember the curtain… the one that stood between man and God … the one that was a constant reminder of sins that separated man from God? Well, when the son died, he proved to be the true and spotless lamb, for when he died the curtain in the temple, where God lived, was torn in two. It was not torn by human hands but miraculously from the top to the bottom – torn as a symbol that the wall between God and man was forever removed.

The size and thickness of the veil make the events occurring at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross so much more momentous. “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:50-51a). … So, what do we make of this? What significance does this torn veil have for us today? Above all, the tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus’ death dramatically symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was a sufficient atonement for sins. It signified that now the way into the Holy of Holies was open for all people, for all time, both Jew and Gentile.

Gotquestions.org

From that time forward, even to this day, the son’s blood covers all the sins of every man, woman, and child – from every tribe, nation, and tongue who believes in him, the son of God. Believers are adopted into God’s family and given the full rights of sons and daughters of God. As such, they are no longer separated by a curtain but are invited to approach God – to come before Him – with confidence that when they ask anything according to His will He will hear them and answer accordingly.

This isn’t the end of the story …. The son’s death was followed by a miraculous resurrection and ascension into Heaven where He sits at His Father’s right hand interceding on the behalf of all who have believed – with the promise to one day return again … Are you ready? If not and you would like to know how to be please contact me – I would love to share more of the Son’s story with you and introduce you to The Way. https://www.gotquestions.org/gospel-message.html

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Come, Lord Jesus, Come

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A Love God Greatly Study: Preview for Week 1, In The Last Days

Our Verse for the Journey: Hebrews 10:24-25

For this journey our verse(s) come from week 6 of our study. I encourage you to write the verses down on a note card or even several cards so that you have one in your car, your kitchen, your bedroom, your desk at work …. wherever you frequently find yourself. Read it at least 3 times every day, and over the course of the 6-week journey, begin trying to remember the words or phrases without looking. Lean on the Spirit for help – after all, John 14:26 says that our advocate, the Holy Spirit, was given to teach us all things and to remind us of all He said.

Why?

I believe that it is important to hide Scripture away in our hearts, to be familiar with all of it, and to remember as much of it as we can. after all it promises benefits in this life and in the life to come. Such as …

  • It brings life to those who find them and healing to the whole body (Prov. 4:20-22)
  • It is a light to guide our path (Ps. 119:105)
  • It is a weapon against sin (Ps 119:11)
  • It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)
  • It trains us in righteousness and prepares us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  • It helps us stay pure (Ps 119:9)
  • It’s a way to know God and what He wants for His children (John 1:1) and expects from them (James 1:22)

Throughout every journey, we will read and sometimes reread many passages, the LGG Studies will promote a memory/focus verse each week, but I like to zero in on one verse that we look at throughout the entire study with the hope of knowing it by the end of the journey. Before you say “I can’t,” remember we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13), especially when it is something He wants us to do – and I promise you, without question, He wants us to be so familiar with His Word that it’s like we have it hidden in our heart. There are all sorts of creative ways to remember and become more and more familiar with His Word. I’ll be happy to share them with you throughout the weeks ahead.

Week 1 Challenge:

We know Jesus is coming back! Though we don’t know the exact day or time, we do know each day we are given is one day closer to His return. Keeping that truth in mind this week, set aside time to:

  • pray for the salvation of any of your unsaved family and friends.
  • Pray that God will use you in their lives to help them experience Him through you.
  • Pray that God will open their hearts and minds to His saving grace and for their need for it.
  • Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully through you and –
  • pray for these friends and family members to respond to God’s free gift of salvation.
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Prayer for the Lost Sheep –

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Father, You are good. You are Holy, righteous, and true – and You are my God! Your WORD is eternal, bringing life and health and peace to all who hear and believe. For those who have never heard, I pray they will hear and believe even today! For those who have heard BUT NEVER BELIEVED, I pray You will melt their hearts of stone – that they might believe and be saved. For those without a messenger will You open their eyes to Your creation – for Your Word makes clear that everything You’ve made displays Your invisible qualities – Your eternal power and divine nature – so that NO ONE has an excuse for not knowing You. Raise up messengers to go in Jesus’ Name and translators to translate in Word or print and supporters who will send and pray. All of this to Your eternal glory and the salvation of the lost. – … Father, for those who have both heard and believed but have turned away to the right or to the left and find themselves wandering in a wilderness, stuck in a pit, swallowed up by the world’s ways, or bound again by a yoke of slavery – will you please open the eyes and ears of their hearts Lord – to hear You, the One who is their faithful Shepherd, who has left the 99 to find them. Help them to reach out for Your rod and staff and to walk free of their chains and all that binds them and keeps them from You. – Again, all of this for Your eternal glory and the redemption of Your people. Amen in Jesus’ Name and Power!