April 17, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam April Devotions: "The Good Shepherd"

And so, I continue. . . That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7

Matthew 18:12-14 ~ 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.  KJV 

 “Oh, how we ought to love sinners, since Jesus loved us, and died for us while we were yet sinners! We must care for drunkards while they still pass round the cup; swearers even while we hear them swear…We must not wait till we see some better thing in them but feel an intense interest for them as what they are – straying and lost.” (Spurgeon)

I love to read the "lessons" taught by Jesus Himself. In our verses today He reminds us through the one lost sheep, that every single one of us are as important to Him as the whole flock/congregation. Christians are as guilty as guilty can be sometimes, when we can't be bothered with the low, dirty, drunk, drug addict, felon, . . . Jesus here teaches us just the opposite.

We are to care for those that do not know Him, but particularly the one that is of the flock, but has strayed away into the dangerous world of sin and degradation. Don't just look and say "How sad," step up and say, "How can I reach this one and bring them back to the fold?"
Jesus showed us how. He went after the one, He caught the one, He returned the one to the fold Himself. O that we should have the compassion for the lost and the backslidden that we would be willing to step out of our "comfort zone" and reach out a hand of help, in the name of Jesus. Will we always be successful? No, I venture to say we will not. But we won't know until we GO! 

God desires to help and bless us and others. Let us be the one THAT HE USES TO Reach out to person out of the fold, today! Don't turn your head, close your ears, or put on blinders when you go out today. Instead FIND, LOOK, HELP! You will be so totally blessed, and we know when we pursue that one that has strayed, in their heart of hearts, they want you to help them.

Be blessed today and let others see Christ in YOU!

HE CARES! Lost person, Do You Want to Know HIM?  Lord, help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You. Amen.  With love and prayers, may we be your faithful Philippians 2:16 Missionaries?

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

Listen to Bro. Tom on www.wbofradio.com "The Jewel For The Day" program, every Monday - Friday at 6am and 2pm EST.

In the name of Jesus, may we be HIS emissaries and used by Him to help others. 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America and around the world! 

PRAY BIG FOR OTHERS AND YOURSELF! GOD WANTS TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS!