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"Ellie & Beau" (c) tracibcreations.com I
As I was lying in bed this morning I thanked the good Lord for this day, for my health, for my family and for his provision in my life. I prayed for those who were suffering from Covid-19, for those on the front lines taking care of the sick, and for those in our government who need to make the tough decisions. I asked God to be with us all - all over the world. Then after I prayed, I began to think about all the people who don't know God. Those who don't know that he sent his Son as our Savior - as our Shepherd. So I began to pray for those who are far from God, who don't know him. I prayed that they would make the time to get to know his mercy, grace and love.
And then, after I prayed - this came into my mind.... to paint a picture of two lambs on a hill. Call them "Ellie & Beau" and when I make them use my elbow to do it. So....meet "Ellie & Beau" - made from my elbow! Of course, I painted the scene and their legs, eyes, ears. But their bodies are imprints of my elbow dipped in paint. Am I strange or what? At least I have a sense of humor - even if it is just for my own personal amusement.
Did I get your attention? I sure hope so. I am now inviting you to continue reading this blog. And if you like it, please share it with someone.
Psalms 100:3 " Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."
With all that is going on in the world today, it is important for us to remember who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile". So, first - a little Bible history and then I'll tell you more about this painting.
"In the beginning God created the Heavens and Earth ...and all things in it ... ("read Genesis 1-28) and he then asked us to take care of it. But we humans are messed up and selfish and we could not follow God's commands and we became a lost people. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." But God loves us so much, that he decided to send Jesus to earth to capture his lost sheep. John 3:16-17. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him." Many people came to follow Jesus while he walked this earth. Jesus performed many miracles and healed sick people while he was alive. He told his followers what was going to happen in the future at what he referred to as "the end of the age" the end of the system of things.. the end of the earth. He told them what would take place; he told his Disciples about his pending death. He told his Disciples what he wanted them to do which was to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth so that all would learn of the way to salvation and eternal life through him. Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." God sent his son Jesus to become the sacrificial lamb, born to die for the sins of all, once for all. And after his death and resurrection more people believed and throughout the years have accepted this free gift of salvation. The gift of eternal life with our Father. That gift of salvation is available today. If you are not yet saved, it is available to you!
One may ask, if Jesus came to save the world, then why is all this bad stuff happening? It is difficult to accept that God would allow such bad things to happen to us, but God's word is clear. Here are a couple scriptures of what God's word says will take place before Jesus returns once again to us.
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Covid-19 has captured the world's stage. It is a relentless virus that is attacking so many vulnerable citizens across the globe. It is affecting each of us in different ways. We are either sick from the virus; staying at home so we don't get or spread the virus; or working in essential business to keep people safe and well fed. Others are working to combat the economic impact and come up with solutions and a cure. It may take a while. We may loose loved ones to the virus. We may loose our job. We will loose income and yet still need to pay our bills, our rent/mortgages, and buy food.
It is a sad state of affairs that we find ourselves in today. But for those whose hope is in the Lord, those who have accepted God's free gift of salvation through Jesus need not be fearful of these times. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34: "therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." And about being anxious he said in Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." In John 10:7 he said "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" John 10:11 and Jesus said "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." John 10:14 Is Jesus your shepherd? Do you know him?
In Luke 15:1-7 - Jesus tells the religious rulers - the Pharisees and teachers of the law a story (a parable) in response to their questioning his judgment of welcoming sinners and tax collectors and eating with them.. Jesus says this: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Jesus came to save the lost. Ellie & Beau represent sheep in His pasture. I pray that you are one of His sheep . But if you are one of the lost sheep, know that Jesus is anxiously awaiting for you to be found. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8 '"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." The gift of salvation awaits.