Something that was interesting in the message today that we listened to online was when the pastor was talking about the parable of the lost sheep. What symbol do we normally think about when we think about Christianity? Typically I would say people would blurt out "the cross". The cross is an extremely important part of being a Christian...without Jesus going to the cross you or I could not be saved. The pastor then went on to say that the very first symbol of Christianity was a shepherd carrying a sheep. Sheep are pretty "dumb" when it comes to living. They can easily get lost or stray away from the flock. How amazing is it that we serve a God (our Great Shepherd) who pursues us (the lost sheep). There is absolutely nothing we can do to "earn" our salvation...the Lord offers it freely; just like there is nothing that a sheep can do to find its way back to the flock. The shepherd must go and rescue the sheep and carry it back to the flock.
May we take the time this coming week to lend an extra hand or take the time to stop and be thankful for the Great Shepherd. I hope you all were refreshed today. If you have never accepted Jesus into your heart and life, I challenge you that today is the day. On this day, what a blessing it is to reflect on the many sacrifices that have been made for us...the ULTIMATE ONE being Jesus dying for you and for me.
Tomorrow it is back to the practice floor for us. We will be practicing on Monday and Tuesday and then playing again on Wednesday. I plan on relaxing the rest of the evening. We lost an hour of sleep today, so we are now back to a 7 hour time difference.
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54–57)
God bless,
Megan