November 24, 2016: SOAP #2548:  Matthew 17-19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 18:12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

Observation:   To the shepherds each sheep was important.  They would spend hours, even days, perhaps weeks at a time living with their sheep.  They would get to know them individually.  A good shepherd would quickly know that one was missing; he would recognize which one was missing.

Application:    On this Thanksgiving Day, I am so thankful that my Heavenly Shepherd loves me in the same way!  He spends every hour of every day with me.  He knows me.  When I wonder off, He personally seeks me out.  He is glad when I am safely back in the fold.  He is not willing that I be lost!

Prayer:   Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I have so much for which to be thankful on this Thanksgiving Day.  Thank you for loving me.  Thank you for being my Heavenly Shepherd!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!