Word@Work 1Pet35 - 1 Peter 2:25
Published: Fri, 06/12/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
RETURNING TO SECURITY
1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (NIV)
Being lost is awful: being found is awesome. In the early days of following Jesus, that contrast is often so marked. Can you remember the relief of sins forgiven, of being found and welcomed into God's family and embraced with His love? Being lost is so wasteful of everything; so purposeless and so hopeless. That is the state of all those who have not welcomed Jesus into their hearts, whether they know it or not.
Jesus' story of the lost sheep shows that He cares so much about the lost sheep, that He will give the highest priority to their rescue (Luke 15:1-7). His story of the lost coin describes the same rescue in financial terms (Luke 15:8-10).The story of the prodigal son then puts it in terms of human family relationships (Luke 15:11-32). All the stories have the same meaning - God wants to find lost people. The prodigal son started on the road back to his father when he repented. Repentance is the always the first step in returning to Father God (click to www.crosscheck.org.uk for more).
If you have come to God through Jesus Christ, you have returned to your Shepherd. All His suffering, in being rejected, is so that you might be accepted. He was cast down, so that you might be lifted up. He died, so that you might live; and He accepted God wrath, so that you might receive God's love. If you have returned to Him for His shepherd-like care, please note that He is also your Overseer. He watches over you to see that you fulfil your place in His world and His family - so that he may have the glory. So, is He pleased with what He sees as He observes you at work and home today?
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for coming to find me. Thank you for making me clean through the blood of Christ and for welcoming me into Your family. Thank you for watching over me in love and care, and also in expectation that I will please You. Help me to honour all your commitment to me, by being fully committed to You. For Your glory's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Being lost is awful: being found is awesome. In the early days of following Jesus, that contrast is often so marked. Can you remember the relief of sins forgiven, of being found and welcomed into God's family and embraced with His love? Being lost is so wasteful of everything; so purposeless and so hopeless. That is the state of all those who have not welcomed Jesus into their hearts, whether they know it or not.
Jesus' story of the lost sheep shows that He cares so much about the lost sheep, that He will give the highest priority to their rescue (Luke 15:1-7). His story of the lost coin describes the same rescue in financial terms (Luke 15:8-10).The story of the prodigal son then puts it in terms of human family relationships (Luke 15:11-32). All the stories have the same meaning - God wants to find lost people. The prodigal son started on the road back to his father when he repented. Repentance is the always the first step in returning to Father God (click to www.crosscheck.org.uk for more).
If you have come to God through Jesus Christ, you have returned to your Shepherd. All His suffering, in being rejected, is so that you might be accepted. He was cast down, so that you might be lifted up. He died, so that you might live; and He accepted God wrath, so that you might receive God's love. If you have returned to Him for His shepherd-like care, please note that He is also your Overseer. He watches over you to see that you fulfil your place in His world and His family - so that he may have the glory. So, is He pleased with what He sees as He observes you at work and home today?
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for coming to find me. Thank you for making me clean through the blood of Christ and for welcoming me into Your family. Thank you for watching over me in love and care, and also in expectation that I will please You. Help me to honour all your commitment to me, by being fully committed to You. For Your glory's sake. Amen.
Share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
If you value your free Word@Work, click here to make a donation
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
All the 'back copies' for the series in the Bible books of Mark, Ephesians and James can be found on www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
W@W1Pet35 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2009 | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk