Verse of the Day - Isaiah 40:11

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
~ Isaiah 40:11 (NLT)

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This is such a beautiful picture to me of God's loving-kindness to His children! This isn't the picture of a power-hungry God with a baseball bat in one hand and a bolt of lightning in the other, as some think of God. This is tenderness, compassion and patience. Why don't people see God like this passage describes? Perhaps because they've never made an attempt to know Him.

It's kind-of like listening to all the election ads on TV and then making your decision on how to vote, without really getting to know the people and the measures and proposed laws. Often, people are too lazy to become knowledgeable and are, therefore, seriously misled by propaganda that's splashed on the TV. So, too, is their skewed understanding of God. They hear propaganda from people who also haven't taken the time to investigate and desire knowledge; therefore, they're misled into a wrong picture of God. How sad for them. How sad for God.

Yes, God has shown His anger against sinfulness in this world. God's word doesn't gloss over or sugarcoat this. But see, the pure heart of God cannot compromise with evil. That would be like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker getting together for pizza and a movie, enjoying each other's company like old pals. Just ain't gonna happen. Can't happen. And neither can God pal it up with sin. But those who choose to harden their hearts to the big picture of God will see only meanness in Him, and further bury themselves in ignorance and rebellion.

Is God your shepherd? Do you know from personal experience His loving hand, feeding you when you're hungry, guiding you when you're lost, carrying you when you're weak? I hope so. If not and your picture of Him is harsh and mean, I hope you will take the time, along with an honest, open heart, to seek Him out in prayer and by reading His word. Ask the Holy Spirit to make God known to you. I know that when you seek Him, you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

The passion of the Christ is the passion of a shepherd for His sheep, giving His own life in battle for His flock. Don't miss seeing and knowing Jesus' heart for His children -- it is full to overflowing with love.

Love,
Joelene