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Mini-Worship
March 12-17, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down.
Entering the presence of God
(M) O. God, you are strong. And, you are loving.
(W) Trust in him at all times. Pour out hearts to him.
(All)May God be gracious to us and bless us.And make his face shine upon us.
Adoration
Our savior, by nature, we are foolish, weak, poor and lowly. Yet, you did not measure us by our EQ, IQ, birth status, height, weight, wealth, look...etc. You came to us, loved us, and forgave our sin against you. You gave us your righteousness, holiness, redemption. Your grace is amazing. Your love is marvelous. And your wisdom is the best. Praise your compassion toward us. In your name, we pray.
Scripture Reading
Luke 15:1-7 (NKJV)
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
To most of us who live in the highly industrialized and commercial age, we do not know about the sheep and their habits, and we do not know about the ranch business. The parable seems hard to be understood to its depth.
Philip Keller, the author of the book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, had spent over eight years as a sheep owner and a sheep rancher during his young adulthood years in East Africa. He says that counting the sheep is a serious business for a sheep man. The sheep man counts to make sure everyone is well and fit and able to be on its feet. If he finds any one missing, he will go out ASAP to cast his eyes across the sky and wild pastures. Why does a sheep man have such a deep concern about his lost sheep? Keller points out that the danger for a lost sheep is: once the sheep falls, it turns over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. Then there will be a good chance for other wild animals to come up to attack it. If the sheep man does not arrive on the scene in time, the sheep will die.
So, imagine this parable, the shepherd searched for the lost sheep with agony and urgency. As soon as he saw the sheep, he rushed to it and picked it up. He tenderly rolled the sheep over its side, lifted it onto its feet, rubbed its limbs, and upheld it while it was still stumbled and staggered. Meantime, the shepherd talked to the sheep with comforting words, encouragement, and instruction. Maybe, little by little, the sheep regained its balance and started to walk steadily and surely. Maybe, the sheep might be so hurtful or so exhausted that it could not go any step on its own. The shepherd simply had to carry it over his shoulder. The shepherd was glad in restoring it not only to its feet but also to the flock as well as to himself.
But who was the lost sheep? Who was the shepherd? In Isaiah, we humans are likened as sheep. Our conditions in the world are wandered, harassed and perished. We have basic needs for food, protection, safety, guidance, love and life. Jesus later revealed Himself as that Great Good Shepherd. He came to save us, heal us and give us life.
Have you ever cried out” Why are thou cast down, o my soul? And why are thou disquieted within me? “The great King of Israel David did. Many Christians did. I did. Yes, in our life path in the world, we have the moments of lost and downcast, physically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. We can feel quite hopeless. We may wonder: will God forget me? Will God not forgive me? Will God be angry at me? This Scripture reminds us of a hope: God’s attention is constant. He is there very alert to our condition and he is very diligent about getting us up again. No matter how astray and how downcast we are, he intends to seek for us, restore us with all his best and then rejoice with us.
God can restore us through many who shared His heart and nature and who have been equipped themselves well and know what they are doing in their life callings. In a hospital, this could be doctors, nurses, pharmacists, chaplains, and many other supporting professionals etc. In a school, this could be teachers, counselors, and many supporting professionals. In a family, it could be dads and moms, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers. We can get a vision from our Great shepherd Jesus. We can imitate our Great Shepherd at our role position- sharing His caring, compassion, courage, alertness, diligence, laboring, skills, knowledge, discernment and His joy. Yes, to do so is not to replace for our needs for that Great Shepherd.
May His goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. May we share His heart, learn from Him and share His shepherding duty in wherever we are.
Prayer Suggestions:
Our gracious Great Shepherd, we praise you for your presence. We pray your blessings on those who are lack; who are alone and wander; on those who are sick and suffering; on those who are weighed down and despair; on those who are in fear and struggle. May you grant them your healing mercy, loving kindness, and saving power. Take them back to your safe fold. May you strengthen and guide all those who serve you and your people in our community. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Request
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