peace . love . joy

kk..here's the reading..the one i promised i'l post..bout the shepherd breaking the lamb's leg..

it's written by Steve Farrar..published in the Mar.Apr.May 2006 Our Journey..i quite like Our Journey (OJ) ..gOd speaks thru OJ to me..dont argue wit that cos it happens practically all the time..like smhow..the lessons for each day realli speak to me and makes me reflect and think..it applies alot to me..

nyways..here it is =D

Romans 5:3-5
(3) more than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, (4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (5) and hope does not put us to shame, because gOd's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy SPirit who has been given to us.

It's a shocking fact that a good shepherd will break the leg of a wandering sheep. A loving, caring shepherd know that by taking smthg away, in time, the loss will be replaced by smthg far better..smthg to keep his lamb strong and protected.

It can seem heartless for gOd to take away sm of the thgs we so highly value in life. Relatnships, health, employment, and other treasured thgs can be swept away by the Father's loving hand. But when our hearts are broken, we can grow closer in intimacy with our shepherd as he develops our character (1 Peter 5:3-4). And that's a lesson that mus be learnt. For it's rough out there. Life can bring a steady stream of temptations. But as he wants us on his trail -- the safe trail of righteousness. Without the character-building wats of gOd, we wld become weak and defenseless. we wldnt be anle to turn frm desires & temptations that cld destroy us. That's why it's so important for us to be broken.

gOd has broken my "leg" (mine too.). Perhaps he has broken yours. That's why it's so painful. I'm sure glad he did it. For now I'm very mindful of staying close to Jesus. Most of us wld not choose to have a leg broken. But what's the alternative? When we refuse to follow the shepherd, we play right into the hands of the enemy who wants to destroy us. "Be sober-minded: be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

Strong-willed sheep think much of their own plans and little about the enemy. They misread the trails of righteousness, thinking that a life of ease will lead to happiness. But that's the road to ruin. Brokenness brings us back to where we belong -- close to gOd's heart.

Steve Farrar

gOd keeps us close to protect us

gOd bLEsS

me