O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised!☕
Psalms 95:1-3, 6-7a 96:1-4a
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised!☕
Psalms 95:1-3, 6-7a 96:1-4a
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TWAS A SHEEP NOT A LAMB
Twas 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 into the flock, and into the fold
Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought
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 the 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. ☕
~Minnie Lee Bovender~
Twas 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 into the flock, and into the fold
Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought
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 the 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. ☕
~Minnie Lee Bovender~
The day I left home
I knew I'd broken his heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night
I remembered his love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time
It was the only time I ever saw him run
And then
He ran to me
He took me in his arms
Held my head to his chest
Said my son's come home again
Lifted my face
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in his voice He said
Son do you know I still love you
Almighty God the great I Am
Immovable rock omnipotent powerful
Awesome Lord
Victorious warrior commanding King of kings
Mighty conqueror and the only time
The only time I ever saw him run
Was when
He ran to me
He took me in his arms
Held my head to his chest
Said my son's come home again
Lifted my face
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in his voice He said
Son do you know I still love You
He caught me by surprise when God ran
I was so ashamed all alone and so far away
But now I know that he's been waiting for this day ☕
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance .☕
Luke 15:4-7
~God ran song sung by Phillips Craig and Dean written by John Parenti / Benny Ray Hester~
Photo: Christian Digital Artwork
I knew I'd broken his heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night
I remembered his love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time
It was the only time I ever saw him run
And then
He ran to me
He took me in his arms
Held my head to his chest
Said my son's come home again
Lifted my face
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in his voice He said
Son do you know I still love you
Almighty God the great I Am
Immovable rock omnipotent powerful
Awesome Lord
Victorious warrior commanding King of kings
Mighty conqueror and the only time
The only time I ever saw him run
Was when
He ran to me
He took me in his arms
Held my head to his chest
Said my son's come home again
Lifted my face
Wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in his voice He said
Son do you know I still love You
He caught me by surprise when God ran
I was so ashamed all alone and so far away
But now I know that he's been waiting for this day ☕
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance .☕
Luke 15:4-7
~God ran song sung by Phillips Craig and Dean written by John Parenti / Benny Ray Hester~
Photo: Christian Digital Artwork
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Sometimes, if a sheep herder has a lamb fall into a hole or get tangled up in the briars, the shepherd will often leave it there until it is completely exhausted. He will need to wait in order to prevent the animal from trying to fight against the rescue attempt and possibly injuring itself even more. The shepherd will stand nearby, watching and protecting the lamb. Once the animal is too tired to fight, it becomes a simple rescue. The shepherd will get the animal, feed it, water it, and nurse it back to health. The sheep will then realize its need for its shepherd and will trust and follow him from then on.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd! Please understand that YOUR Shepherd is watching, protecting, and waiting. He may not rescue you when you want Him to, but He will rescue you. You simply have to stop fighting! ☕️
~The Praying Mama~
Jesus is the Good Shepherd! Please understand that YOUR Shepherd is watching, protecting, and waiting. He may not rescue you when you want Him to, but He will rescue you. You simply have to stop fighting! ☕️
~The Praying Mama~
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The Whipping - A Must Read Story
There was a school with a class of students that no teacher had been able to handle. Two or three teachers had been run off from this school in one year by the unruly students.
A young man, just out of college, heard about the class and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man, "Do you know what you are asking for? No one else has been able to handle these students. You are just asking for a terrible beating."
After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said, "Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge. Just give me a trial basis."
The next morning the young man stood before the class He said to the class, "Young people, I came here today to conduct school. But I realize I can't do it by myself. I must have your help."
One big boy, they called Big Tom, n the back of the room whispered to his buddies, "I won't need any help. I can lick that little bird all by myself."
The young teacher told the class that if they were to have school, there would have to be some rules to go by. But he also added that he would allow the students to make up the rules and that he would list them on the blackboard.
This was certainly different, the students thought! One young man suggested "NO STEALING." Another one shouted "BE ON TIME FOR CLASS."
Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The teacher then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rule! s? "The rules are no good unless they are enforced", he said.
Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that this a s pretty harsh, so he asked the class if they would stand by this punishment? The class agreed. Everything went along pretty good for two or three days.
Then Big Tom came in one day very upset. He declared that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students, they came to the conclusion that little Timmy had stolen Big Tom's lunch. Someone had seen little Timmy with Big Tom's lunch!
The teacher called little Timmy up to the front of the classroom. Little Timmy admitted he had taken Big Tom's lunch. So the teacher asked him, "Do you know the punishment?"
Little Tim! my nodded that he did. "You must remove your coat," the teacher instructed. The little fellow had come with a great big coat on. Little Timmy said to the teacher,"I am guilty and I am willing to take my punishment, but please don't make me take off my coat?"
The teacher reminded little Timmy of the rules and punishments and again told him he must remove his coat and take his punishment like a man.
The little fellow started to unbutton that old coat. As he did so, the teacher saw he did not have a shirt on under the coat. And even worse, he saw a frail and bony frame hidden beneath that coat. The teacher asked little Timmy why he had come to school without a shirt on? Little Timmy replied, "My daddy's dead and my mother is very poor. I don't have but one shirt, and my mother is washing it today. I wore my big brother's coat so that I could keep warm."
That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back with the spine protruding against the skin, and his ribs sticking out. He wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back, and without even a shirt on. Still, he knew he must enforce the punishment or the children would not obey the rules.So he drew back to strike little Timmy. Just then Big Tom stood up and came down the aisle.
He asked, "Is there anything that says that I can't take little Timmy's whipping for him?" The teacher thought about it and agreed. With that, Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped, and stood over little Timmy at the desk. Hesitatingly the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange reason after only five licks that old rod just broke in half.
There was a school with a class of students that no teacher had been able to handle. Two or three teachers had been run off from this school in one year by the unruly students.
A young man, just out of college, heard about the class and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man, "Do you know what you are asking for? No one else has been able to handle these students. You are just asking for a terrible beating."
After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said, "Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge. Just give me a trial basis."
The next morning the young man stood before the class He said to the class, "Young people, I came here today to conduct school. But I realize I can't do it by myself. I must have your help."
One big boy, they called Big Tom, n the back of the room whispered to his buddies, "I won't need any help. I can lick that little bird all by myself."
The young teacher told the class that if they were to have school, there would have to be some rules to go by. But he also added that he would allow the students to make up the rules and that he would list them on the blackboard.
This was certainly different, the students thought! One young man suggested "NO STEALING." Another one shouted "BE ON TIME FOR CLASS."
Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The teacher then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rule! s? "The rules are no good unless they are enforced", he said.
Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that this a s pretty harsh, so he asked the class if they would stand by this punishment? The class agreed. Everything went along pretty good for two or three days.
Then Big Tom came in one day very upset. He declared that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students, they came to the conclusion that little Timmy had stolen Big Tom's lunch. Someone had seen little Timmy with Big Tom's lunch!
The teacher called little Timmy up to the front of the classroom. Little Timmy admitted he had taken Big Tom's lunch. So the teacher asked him, "Do you know the punishment?"
Little Tim! my nodded that he did. "You must remove your coat," the teacher instructed. The little fellow had come with a great big coat on. Little Timmy said to the teacher,"I am guilty and I am willing to take my punishment, but please don't make me take off my coat?"
The teacher reminded little Timmy of the rules and punishments and again told him he must remove his coat and take his punishment like a man.
The little fellow started to unbutton that old coat. As he did so, the teacher saw he did not have a shirt on under the coat. And even worse, he saw a frail and bony frame hidden beneath that coat. The teacher asked little Timmy why he had come to school without a shirt on? Little Timmy replied, "My daddy's dead and my mother is very poor. I don't have but one shirt, and my mother is washing it today. I wore my big brother's coat so that I could keep warm."
That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back with the spine protruding against the skin, and his ribs sticking out. He wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back, and without even a shirt on. Still, he knew he must enforce the punishment or the children would not obey the rules.So he drew back to strike little Timmy. Just then Big Tom stood up and came down the aisle.
He asked, "Is there anything that says that I can't take little Timmy's whipping for him?" The teacher thought about it and agreed. With that, Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped, and stood over little Timmy at the desk. Hesitatingly the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange reason after only five licks that old rod just broke in half.
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The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob. He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the classroom. Little Timmy had turned and grabbed Big Tom around the neck a apologizing to him for stealing his lunch. Little Timmy begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would love him till the day he died for taking his whipping for him. Aren't you glad that Jesus took our whipping for us? That He shed His precious blood on Calvary so that you and I can have eternal life in Glory with Him. We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren't you glad He loves us that much?
This is a story everyone needs to know So if you know anyone else who may be blessed by this story, please pass it on. God bless you, and keep you safe. Most people's troubles come from too much time on their hands - and not enough on their knees. ☕
This is a story everyone needs to know So if you know anyone else who may be blessed by this story, please pass it on. God bless you, and keep you safe. Most people's troubles come from too much time on their hands - and not enough on their knees. ☕
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ENCOURAGEMENT
Love is strongest when it is tested. True love is not measured by convenience but by sacrifice, patience, and forgiveness. Loving others through hardship reflects Christ more than loving when it is easy or popular. When we choose love in difficult circumstances, we demonstrate the reality of God’s presence in our lives.
Love strengthens unity, heals wounds, and brings peace where conflict exists. It protects against offense, bitterness, and resentment, which can destroy relationships and spiritual growth. Love is the key to walking in obedience to God and influencing others positively. Even when love is misunderstood, rejected, or unreciprocated, continuing to love faithfully honors God and positions us for His blessings.☕️
~Christian Inspiration ~
Love is strongest when it is tested. True love is not measured by convenience but by sacrifice, patience, and forgiveness. Loving others through hardship reflects Christ more than loving when it is easy or popular. When we choose love in difficult circumstances, we demonstrate the reality of God’s presence in our lives.
Love strengthens unity, heals wounds, and brings peace where conflict exists. It protects against offense, bitterness, and resentment, which can destroy relationships and spiritual growth. Love is the key to walking in obedience to God and influencing others positively. Even when love is misunderstood, rejected, or unreciprocated, continuing to love faithfully honors God and positions us for His blessings.☕️
~Christian Inspiration ~
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LITTLE EYES ARE WATCHING
I play the guitar at the church where I lead worship. When the music portion of the service is over, I put my guitar in a guitar stand on the platform. I turn the guitar backwards in the stand so the strings are facing away from the congregation. A lady came up to me after church and asked a question: “Why do you turn your guitar backwards in the stand after you play?” I responded, “My guitar is amplified, so when the strings and sound hole are facing outwards, there’s potential for the guitar to create feedback in the sound system. I face my guitar backwards to avoid that possibility.”
She replied, “Oh, that makes sense. I’ve been wondering about that. So let me tell you a story. Our four-year-old granddaughter plays around with my husband’s guitar when she comes to our house. The other day, when she finished playing with it, I placed it in my husband’s guitar stand, with the strings facing out. My granddaughter picked the guitar up and turned it backwards in the guitar stand. When I asked her why she did that, she replied, ‘Because that’s the right way to put a guitar on the stand!’” That little girl had been watching me. She saw the way I put my guitar in the guitar stand at church, and she just knew that “I” was the authority on the procedure for putting a guitar in its stand correctly.
It is so important how I live my life in front of others (especially impressionable children). Little eyes had been watching me. And, because I appear to be an authority figure of some sort to her, she emulated one of my actions. Whether I’m right or wrong in the way I place my guitar in my guitar stand, I inadvertently taught a child without even knowing it. I wonder … are there other people who’ve been watching me and have emulated my actions in their own life, simply because they saw me doing it? Most likely, the answer is “YES.” It’s a very sobering thought!
When I’m driving with a child in my car, and a driver cuts me off in traffic, do I yell out “Idiot driver!”? Little eyes are watching … little ears are listening. When I’m at the ballfield and an umpire makes a bad call, do I join the irate voices of other parents, “Are you blind ump!”? Little eyes are watching … little ears are listening. When I’m in church and the worship leader encourages joyful praise and worship, but I remain seated and uninvolved because I only came for the preaching, what am I teaching the children who are watching me? Little eyes are watching … little ears are listening.
Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children.
~My Morning Walks with God~
I play the guitar at the church where I lead worship. When the music portion of the service is over, I put my guitar in a guitar stand on the platform. I turn the guitar backwards in the stand so the strings are facing away from the congregation. A lady came up to me after church and asked a question: “Why do you turn your guitar backwards in the stand after you play?” I responded, “My guitar is amplified, so when the strings and sound hole are facing outwards, there’s potential for the guitar to create feedback in the sound system. I face my guitar backwards to avoid that possibility.”
She replied, “Oh, that makes sense. I’ve been wondering about that. So let me tell you a story. Our four-year-old granddaughter plays around with my husband’s guitar when she comes to our house. The other day, when she finished playing with it, I placed it in my husband’s guitar stand, with the strings facing out. My granddaughter picked the guitar up and turned it backwards in the guitar stand. When I asked her why she did that, she replied, ‘Because that’s the right way to put a guitar on the stand!’” That little girl had been watching me. She saw the way I put my guitar in the guitar stand at church, and she just knew that “I” was the authority on the procedure for putting a guitar in its stand correctly.
It is so important how I live my life in front of others (especially impressionable children). Little eyes had been watching me. And, because I appear to be an authority figure of some sort to her, she emulated one of my actions. Whether I’m right or wrong in the way I place my guitar in my guitar stand, I inadvertently taught a child without even knowing it. I wonder … are there other people who’ve been watching me and have emulated my actions in their own life, simply because they saw me doing it? Most likely, the answer is “YES.” It’s a very sobering thought!
When I’m driving with a child in my car, and a driver cuts me off in traffic, do I yell out “Idiot driver!”? Little eyes are watching … little ears are listening. When I’m at the ballfield and an umpire makes a bad call, do I join the irate voices of other parents, “Are you blind ump!”? Little eyes are watching … little ears are listening. When I’m in church and the worship leader encourages joyful praise and worship, but I remain seated and uninvolved because I only came for the preaching, what am I teaching the children who are watching me? Little eyes are watching … little ears are listening.
Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children.
~My Morning Walks with God~
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