Are YOU that Lost Sheep?

                                                                                                                By: Maxine M.

On the 5^th day God created animals, even those little creatures that crawl & creep

But let me tell you a story that Jesus told about a flock of sheep

Just remember, SHEEP are not the smartest of any species, thus they are hard to protect & keep

He said there were 99 that safely lay in the shelter of the sheepfold, secure in the Shepherd’s care

But one was lost, strayed away somewhere; of potential danger unaware

Predators lurked, just waiting to pounce, ‘you’ll make a great mutton snack’ they declare

But the Good Shepherd left the flock (safe & sound) to look for the ONE that was lost

Because of the love He felt for every sheep, a love which even straying cannot exhaust

But to save the lost sheep, the life of the Shepherd it would cost

Only by Jesus the Shepherd’s death could ANY of the sheep be truly saved, the story will demonstrate

Since all we, like sheep, have gone astray, TURNED to our own way, now for Judgement await

LOST! until we come back to the Shepherd; in His plan of Salvation participate

The plan where WE open our heart, REPENT, then follow wherever the Shepherd will lead

Like the story’s lost sheep that the Shepherd found, we’ll rejoice in His pasture’s feed

Safe from all those worldly predators, trusting the Shepherd will provide every need

But you must first admit you are LOST, not refuting the danger that, in every life, exists

That sudden death can come to everyone…a fact so many resist

NO ONE is excluded, but until that happens, the search from the Shepherd persists

Now we are all in various sized earthly families, which God often calls His flock

He looks at us as sheep, CONSTANTLY needing His protection & guidance around the clock

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; as the Shepherd, He takes care of His stock

We, as sheep, have a deep desire for personal peace & satisfaction that will last

And as the sheep of His pastures, the Shepherd is able to provide for our needs which are vast

He makes them lie down in green pastures, when life rushes by us so fast

The Shepherd knows that sheep need REST, time to stop and on His blessings reflect

The “green pastures” reassures us that worry about tomorrow our hearts need not detect

He leads me beside STILL waters, from mental turmoil & unrest He protects

He restores my soul and realigns our thinking, giving an “I’m able to go on” attitude

Leading His sheep in right paths, to give glory to the Shepherd’s name in gratitude

In the valley of the shadow of death, His sheep will not fear, but live in hope & fortitude

Thy Rod (Word of God) and Thy Staff (the Holy Spirit) bring comfort & protection from the enemy

Goodness & Mercy will follow all the days of my life because His death & Resurrection set me free

To KNOW I will dwell in the House of the Lord FOREVER is the ultimate divine decree

But the sad news is, this psalm does NOT cover those lost from the sheepfold

Who strayed away looking for something else, something they thought would satisfy & prosperity hold

Many are nice, friendly, well intentioned sheep, but false doctrine they’ve been told

Like saved by just doing “good”, helping others, giving to the poor, attending church once in awhile

Repeating a prewritten prayer, instead of one you genuinely from the heart compile

Not acknowledging or accepting the Shepherd’s gift of Salvation, living in continual denial

So, WHOM from your family is represented by the lost sheep the Shepherd sought?

The ONE who has NOT answered the Shepherd’s call…responded as they ought?

Perhaps entangled in worldly cares; not really thinking about WHAT Jesus’ death bought

Are YOU that lost sheep…that precious LOVED one we daily pray for?

Pray that you will heed the Holy Spirit’s conviction; a relationship to the Shepherd restore

He knows everything about you, so no response will He ever ignore

Because until death occurs , He will continue to search, ready to come to your rescue

He’s looking even for the weak and hurting lambs, those wandering and need to be made new

So PLEASE, TODAY, run back to the Shepherd, find forgiveness and more Mercy & Grace than you ever knew