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Listen while you read: "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross"1 (Lyrics) |
He loved to stray, and it often got him into predicaments.
I once owned a stubborn rooster that loved to stay outside his pen more than he loved to stay in it. But when it was feeding time, all I had to do was open the gate, and he headed for the chicken yard. While he was able to eat bugs, insects, and grass on the outside, what he didn't realize is that his most nutritious meals were on the inside. And though he didn't appreciate the confinement of the chicken wire, it provided him safety from predators. He simply didn't understand the benefits of belonging.
Sometimes, I, too, forget the advantages of belonging. And Jesus has to remind me:
John 10:4 – After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. (NLT)
By belonging to Christ, I've inherited a great big family made up of different denominations, races, nationalities, and personalities. But we all have one thing in common: Christ's blood has secured our forgiveness. Family is important, and they care for one another.
Since I belong to Christ, I also have a caregiver. I may receive comfort from my family, but no one can give me the perfect comfort my Saviour can. Even in the worst of times, He whispers, "Don't be afraid. I'm in control."
Because I belong to Christ, I can enjoy life's best. The best may not be in power, possessions, or popularity, but it's a quality of life that I couldn't enjoy apart from Him.
Belonging to Christ also gives me the privilege of discerning His voice. Just as my rooster recognized mine and headed for the pen when it was feeding time, so I can know my Saviour's guiding voice.
Are you enjoying the benefits of belonging?
Prayer: Thank You, Great Shepherd, for guiding us into Your flock and providing for all our needs. Amen.
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025 – In Yemen — Pray for our Yemeni national church. We now have more believers than the rest of the Saudi peninsula combined. Pray for us to be bold and discerning as we share our faith. Pray for us to also be continually growing in our relationship with Jesus.
daughter: "Update December 30, 2024: And please touch her heart that she may turn to YOU.* November 12, 2024:..." 
I sure am!
Thank you Martin for your words.
Thank-you Martin, This thought is lovely!
Thank you for this important reminder. Blessings.
Loved this Martin. Good message and so applicable.
Thank you Martin.
May your week ahead be a good one, or rather…Make your week ahead a good one!
Thanks for the reminder of being a part of a bigger family. Also the visual of the rooster. I was thinking of not going to church this morning and your devotion nudges me in the direction of my church family.
What a cute story with a good teaching behind it. I always enjoy the spiritual lessons we can learn from the behavior of animals.
Keep up the good writing Martin!
Blessings.
Thank you, Martin,
That is such a comforting devotional “for such a time as this” as my husband has just been told of a serious medical condition.
We know that we are in the hands of “The Great Physician”.
I have no idea what your background may be but it’s obvious you have a talent for getting your thoughts expressed colourfully and efficiently. What Norman Rockwell did with oil and canvas, you accomplish with words. We thank you and we thank God for sharing this talent with us.
Good Morning dear Brother: “Thank You” so much for this great and important Devotional. It certainly was an anointed Message and one we need to hear more often.
May our great God continue to give you abundant Blessings and more inspired messages from the Word of Life.
(N.B. Canada)
Good Morning Martin:
What a beautiful message reminding us how precious we are in the sight of our Lord. Thank you for the blessing of assuring me I am a child of the King of Kings, a King who loves me and cares for me daily, even though I slip and fall over and over again, I know I belong to Him and He is always there to lift me up and carry me over my troubled times.
Dear Martin, Roosters always seem to have an attitude, don’t they? Thank you for using yours to teach a lesson. I especially found the paragraph about belonging to a family helpful. It was good to think of all Christians as being part of a family. Thanks.
Thank you Martin Wiles for giving me the joy of these words:
By belonging to Christ, I’ve inherited a great big family made up of different denominations, races, nationalities, and personalities. But we all have one thing in common: Christ’s blood has secured our forgiveness. Family is important, and they care for one another.
Since I belong to Christ, I also have a caregiver. I may receive comfort from my family, but no one can give me the perfect comfort my Saviour can. Even in the worst of times, He whispers, “Don’t be afraid. I’m in control.”
Because I belong to Christ, I can enjoy life’s best. The best may not be in power, possessions, or popularity, but it’s a quality of life that I couldn’t enjoy apart from Him.
Belonging to Christ also gives me the privilege of discerning His voice. Just as my rooster recognized mine and headed for the pen when it was feeding time, so I can know my Saviour’s guiding voice.
Keep writing.