GONE ASTRAY? 10/24/10

I HAVE THIS HABIT, like many, where I cut out articles; sayings; poems; thoughts etc and put them aside to peruse at a later time. Of course when I put them aside I very seldom go back to get them right away. It can be days, months and sometimes even years. I was looking for something the other day and came across the following and decided to write a Morning Glory. I like thought provoking tidbits and I bet you do too!

"Twas a Sheep...Not a Lamb!" "It was a sheep, not a lamb, that strayed away in the parable Jesus told; a grown up sheep that had gone astray from the ninety and nine in the fold. Out in the meadows, out in the cold, twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought; back to the flock and into the fold, twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought. And why, for the sheep, should we earnestly long, and so earnestly hope and pray? Because there is danger, if they go wrong, they will lead the young lambs astray. For the lambs follow the sheep, you know; wherever the sheep may stray. If the sheep go wrong, it will not be long till the lambs are as wrong as they. So, with sheep we earnestly plead, for the sake of the lambs today; if the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost some sheep, may have to pay."
Author unknown

WE KNOW how important it is for the strong to hold the hand of the weak. We know how important it is to hover around the aged to keep them from tripping or falling. We know how important it is to have security gates around stairs to protect the young from falling. But do we know how important it is to be there for the sheep in the Shepherds fold?

"STUDY TO SHOW thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the Word of truth." 2 Timothy 2;15 Many are students of the Word and yet find themselves standing on the outside looking in because of disagreements and faulty discernment. We talk about being on the milk, when it is time to eat meat. We talk about being young in the faith and the need to mature. When we lack understanding and are still on the milk, be careful that you don't become the bull in the china shop. To need further understanding is not a bad thing, but seeking further training, is a good thing.

IN ISAIAH we read prophesies of the coming Savior. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 Jesus was wounded for our sins; He was bruised and with all the chastisement and with the stripes, we are made whole. How can we still be sheep that go astray? How can we forget what the Christ has done for us? How can we never learn to eat the meat so we can become strong and firm in our faith?

REMEMBER when Jesus was telling the Jews who He was? Jesus and others were just milling around in the Temple when the Jew's confronted Him with; "Tell us plainly, if you are the Christ!" "I have!" Replied Jesus. "The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me." John 10:25-27

DO YOU HEAR the Shepherd's voice? Have you responded when He said; "Come!" The story of the Good Shepherd is actually an allegory, which means that all details are relevant. Jesus is both the shepherd of the sheep and the door. Only through Him can the sheep enter the kingdom. Jesus the shepherd, died for His sheep! Those who are not true sheep, cannot enter the door. I pray that those who read this today are still in the sheep fold. However, if you have found yourself outside of the fold, come back to the Shepherd, He is waiting! We all have been there! "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your soul. 1 Peter 2:25 Ah; There's no place like home! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/23/10