Good morning all,
GIVING THANKS:
* Wiley Mullins is home from the hospital and recuperating.
* Thanks to everyone for your help with VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. Thanks again to Jayden for organizing this event and to all of the volunteers who contributed so much to teach these little ones about JESUS!
Here are some pictures to share:
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Karen McMullen, our son-in-law's mother, needs to have esophagus surgery in a few weeks. Prayers for all to go well.
* A friend of ours John Westkott has salivary gland cancer and recently had surgery.
* Prayers for Emille Jones who is going for a second opinion soon.
* Pat Yaglowski will be having another pain procedure on her spine soon.
* Irene Aschen continues to struggle and will be having surgery for the other hip replacement on September 6th.
COMING UP:
* Friday, August 11th at 7pm – Ladies and teen girls are invited for a night of fellowship and singing at our home, 479 Elm Street, Monroe, CT
REMINDERS:
SPOONER HOUSE: is in continual need of non-perishable foods. They are so grateful for any contributions.
CHILDREN IN GHANA : Back packs, school supplies, children's shoes and underwear are being collected and the bin is in the foyer.
Thanks to everyone for your generous contributions!
Jesus shares powerful insights with us in the parables. He spoke with tenderness and compassion with each one, and He understands that we are all on a journey.
He shared three parables of that which is lost, and then found. The Lost coin, the Lost Son, and the Lost Sheep.
God cares about the Lost. He is a pursuer of the the Lost. Being in a lost state is perilous. He shares that there is a JOYOUS celebration at the end of each of these parables when that which is lost, has been found.
We lose things all the time, keys, personal belongings, cell phones, important papers, etc. Yet, how critical is it to us, when we lose something of precious and of great value?
To be lost is complete separation, hopelessness, despair. To be unable to find one's way or ascertain ones' whereabouts; to be confused, bewildered, and helpless. We've all gotten lost directionally and it can be quite scary not knowing where you are -or if – you will find your way back.
Jesus shares this poignant illustration about losing one's soul. We read about this, yet fail to grasp that losing our soul, means being outside and apart from God's light and love….forever.
This is how valuable each soul is to God…and His incredible love for all.
In Luke 15:1-7 we read about a Shepherd and his sheep.
This parable parallel's the deep love of Jesus – our Shepherd – and us, the sheep. The parable contains so much about the heart of God, to us. We see that God's love is so merciful and personal that He notices and pursues us, even when we stray.
Jesus said, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,
'Rejoice with me;
I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you that in the same way
there will be more rejoicing in heaven
over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous persons
who do not need to repent.“
The Parable of the Lost Sheep is about a devoted shepherd, that cares so much for his sheep, that he left the 99 in his flock, in order to rescue the one sheep that wandered off and gets lost.
One of the sheep, left the flock (for whatever reason), and got lost.
We read about the lost sheep in the book of Matthew as well. People who struggle with obedience and stumble into sin are described as wandering sheep.
The shepherd left the flock leaving the 99 sheep un-attended. That meant they would be vulnerable to wolves, lions, coyotes, or who knows what. A big decision for a Shepherd to risk losing all 99 to find one lonely little sheep. Also sacrificing himself, to go out into unknown territory not knowing what perils or risks would be involved to rescue that lost sheep, or even if he would return at all.
TIME TO REJOICE!
Jesus also paints a beautiful illustration in this parable of the true rejoicing and joy that is felt, over this one lost soul that has been found. He compares it to that of being in heaven and shows the power of a changed life, a life that turns from – sin – to glory, a life that repents and recognizes that we are nothing without the precious blood of the lamb.
It's not easy to return to the flock, but when a heart is truly repentant, when someone realizes that the decisions they've made and the path they've chosen is a perilous one, Jesus states there is “more joy in heaven for this one lost soul, than for all of the 99 who have never gone astray.” Heaven is going to be awesome, but can we imagine even MORE JOY in heaven?
The Shepherd risked his life, as well as the flock, to rescue the lost sheep. This is how precious we ALL are to Him.
The Shepherd emphasized the true joy once the lost sheep, was found. That is how important HEAVEN is! He knows what awaits the saved. He also knows that Heaven means we are saved from hell, where there is only one sound there – the “weeping and gnashing of teeth”… forever.
That is how valuable we are to our Shepherd!
We were all lost sheep at one point in our lives.
Thank God for His Mercy and His Grace.
Scripture encourages us to think constantly about heaven:
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
If we make heavenly rewards our treasure, our heart – and mind – go there naturally.
We worship God when we obey His word and follow Him.
“Anyone who loves me, will obey my teaching.” John 14:23
Take a moment to call someone who has not been in church for awhile. Let them know they've been missed.
Reach out to those who are weary and heavy laden, to encourage them.
Never give up being an encourager. Never give up reaching out to those who have strayed and remember…
He left the 99, to rescue… me!
KEEP SINGING
“We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3
I am a sheep and the Lord is my Shepherd
Watching over my soul,
My soul to keep guarding over me ever,
Watching wherever I go!
And when the winds blow,
He is my shelter,
And when I'm lost and alone,
He rescues me,
And when the lion comes,
He is my victory!
Constantly watching over me,
He is constantly watching over me.
We are His children and He is our Father,
Watching over our soul,
Great is His love for His sons and His daughters,
Watching wherever we go!
And when the winds blow,
He is my shelter,
And when I'm lost and alone,
He rescues me,
And when the lion comes,
He is my victory!
Constantly watching over me,
He is constantly watching over me.
Clinging close to the Shepherd assures us of His Love, guidance and eternal salvation.
Jesus came to seek and save the Lost. Luke 19:10
It's not “if”, but “when” the Lion comes, He is my Victory, constantly watching over me.
He is constantly watching over me.
In His service,
Bruce & Paula