Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Laura Story singing … Mighty to Save … poignantly singing of how we all need the compassion of our Good Shepherd, being lifted up by the compassion we’re shown by others.
Everyone Needs Compassion ...
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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 9:36 [NLT] ... 36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
… Jesus had compassion on all He contacted while living because He had been sent to be their Good Shepherd.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 9:27-38 [NLT] ... USE THIS LINK ...
… Everywhere Jesus went He showed compassion on those around Him because He had been sent to be their Savior.
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 53:6 [NLT] … 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
… We’re all like sheep in need of a Good Shepherd.
Reference Passage : … 1John 3:17 [NLT] … 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
… God’s love is seen in those who see needs in others and are willing to share the love of God with them by reaching out, in compassion, to help.
Reference Passage : … 1Peter 3:8 [NLT] … 8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
… Being like Christ and reaching out as the body of Christ, in compassion, to help others.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Alyson Kieda, uses a story about a young man who became a Pastor because he realized the compassionate need in the hearts of everyone who needs a Savior. … The ODB author wrote: When Jeff was a new believer in Jesus and fresh out of college, he worked for a major oil company. In his role as a salesman, he traveled; and in his travels he heard people’s stories—many of them heartbreaking. He realized that what his customers most needed wasn’t oil, but compassion. They needed God. This led Jeff to attend seminary to learn more about the heart of God and eventually to become a pastor.
Perhaps there are those reading with me who find it easy to be the figure in the photo who’s reaching out to help another who needs God’s uplifting grace. I’m not one of those who has the Spiritual gift of mercy to share with others. I’m more like the figure in the photo who’s being lifted up by a compassionate one like you. Actually, it’s probably easier for all of us to identify with that figure, isn’t it? Because, as Isaiah prophesied (see Is. 53:6), we’re all like stray lambs in need of a merciful, gracious, loving Good Shepherd, aren’t we?
So, I pray that if any of us see the opportunity to step in, as Jesus so often did when He walked this earth (see highlight passage), I pray we reach out and be the compassionate arms of one who cares enough to show God’s love to one in need of His mercy/grace.
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My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for being my Good Shepherd.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to reaching out if/when we see someone in need and show the compassion of our Savior. Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.</ span>
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