Caring, Protective Shepherd

December 23, 2013
Uncategorized
Caring, Protective Shepherd
Kindly Pray for the Prayer Point at the end
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Today’s Scripture
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“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” – (Isaiah 53:6).
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Thoughts for Today
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Throughout the Old Testament, we see an image of God as our caring, protective shepherd. We read in Psalm 23:1-2: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” And in Isaiah 40: “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (v. 11).
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As God’s sheep, we can take comfort in knowing that our Good Shepherd loves us enough to go after the one lost sheep. He shows His love for us through His vigilance, faithfulness, and commitment to pursue that one wandering sheep; and when He finds the sheep, He joyfully carries him all the way home. We may think that we are the ones who found God—but God was the One who pursued us. And just like God never rests until He finds the lost sheep, we must also diligently pursue the lost sheep around us.
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Is there someone in your life who does not know the Good Shepherd? Pray for that person today, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in sharing the Good News about the God who pursues us. Share your personal story of how God pursued you and never gave up on you—and how still today God does not forsake you, even when you feel abandoned by the world.
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Prayer: Our Loving Good Shepherd, help me to pursue the lost sheep You have put in my life. Guide me in sharing with them about how You pursued me when I was lost. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen.”
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Have a Blessed Monday and God Bless you.
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In His Service,
Daily Dose Devotionals Team
“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13)
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Will you Pray for this
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LAOS, SOUTHEAST ASIA
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The Laos government unveiled new regulations designed to monitor social media. The laws are based on Chinese and Vietnamese censorship standards. Internet users will be punished for posting “inappropriate” information. One Facebook user promptly responded to the crackdown by posting, “I expected this would happen someday, even though government says we have a democracy. We won’t be able to say anything online now.”
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Pray for the Laos government to drop the new social media regulations.
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Pray for an end to communism in Laos.
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Pray for Christian Believers in Laos to have the courage to speak freely about the Gospel.
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WESTERN SAHARA, NORTH AFRICA
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Western Sahara has some great natural resources like minerals and oil. These resources are currently controlled by Morocco, and the United Nations has done little to resolve the ongoing conflict. Morocco sells Western Sahara phosphate to global markets and Western Sahara enjoys almost no economic benefit from that transaction.
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Pray for the poor and suffering to be cared for and their needs met.
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Pray that there will be a greater release of the Truth of Jesus Christ.
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EGYPT, NORTH AFRICA
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In Egypt, pro-Morsi protesters still seek to promote their Islamic agenda. Soldiers are fighting with them in the Sinai to bring greater stability to that region of Egypt. There is a desire to draft a new constitution.
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Pray for the government to lead their people into peace and economic growth.
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Pray for the Church in Egypt to continue to be strong and to demonstrate the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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UZBEKISTAN, CENTRAL ASIA
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The Uzbekistan government took possession of a Christian summer camp in Tashkent. Authorities routinely confiscate the personal property of Christian Believers. According to Forum 18, “Officials regularly seize religious literature, computers, musical instruments, and other items.”
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Pray for the Uzbek government to turn ownership of the camp back to Believers.
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Pray for religious freedom in Uzbekistan.
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Pray for Believers to have the strength to endure the hardships the government is imposing upon them.
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