GPS-apicius-roast-lamb

AUG 18 / Sunday – Read Gen 22:8 / Ex 12:1-14 / Jn 1:29; 6:54 / Rev 5:8; 7:17; 22:3

Overview: It’s written that Jesus is referred to as the “lamb of God.” Well, if Jesus is the lamb of God, why in the world is Pastor Mark giving us a recipe for roast lamb?! It’s time to explore this entrée mystery.

19 / Mon – The perfect Lamb  |  Read John 1:29 / 1 Peter 1:18-19

In the Old Testament, the people had to atone for their sin by the sacrifice of a perfect lamb. Often. It was sin➡ sacrifice ➡ forgiven➡ sin again➡ sacrifice➡ forgiven and so on. But through the OT prophets, God promised the Messiah would make things right. What they did not expect was a Messiah who would become the (final) sacrifice for sin. Do you fully comprehend what a gift you’ve been granted through Jesus’ death in your place? Let it sink in; ask the Holy Spirit to make it real.

20 / Tue – The perfect Shepherd  |  Read Revelation 7:17 / Psalm 23 / Ps 34:10

Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God but he’s also our Shepherd. And we are so needy. We required water, food, rest, guidance, protection and comfort to name a few. Yet David’s experience with the Lord as his shepherd was that he ‘lacked nothing.’ Does that mean he got everything he wanted or does it mean that, if he didn’t have something, he didn’t need it yet. Do you worry about the future? You don’t have to. Your Shepherd will provide all that you need at exactly the right time.

21 / Wed – To know and be known  |  Read John 10:2-5

A shepherd knows his sheep so well that, when multiple flocks have merged, he knows which ones are his. And they know him. Because sheep spend so much time with their shepherd, they have come to recognize his voice as he calls them by name, talks to them and tells them where to go. They have learned to trust him and will not follow an unfamiliar voice. And you? Do you know your Shepherd’s voice? What can you do to become a more active listener?

22 / Thu – Sheep vs Goats  |  Read Matthew 25:31-46

What a great illustration of how to recognize God’s sheep. Are you one of His? Or do you lean toward being a ‘goat.’ In today’s culture, GOAT has come to mean ‘Greatest Of All Time” and isn’t that just what your enemy wants you to think of yourself? Humility, based on recognizing how weak you are in your own strength, is what keeps you sticking to Jesus. Will you ask the Holy Spirit to show you any area of your life where you are becoming goat-ish?

23 / Fri – Strays  |  Read Luke 15:4-6

Sheep are not loners. They stick together in flocks. Is it because they like to be near each other or maybe they instinctively know it is safer? Those who stray are often the younger lambs who get distracted by something that looks good ‘over there.’ They don’t pay attention to where they are going and don’t realize they are heading toward dangerous territory. Has that happened to you? Does the grass look greener somewhere else? If you have become a stray, be assured Jesus is actively looking for you and wants to bring you safely back.

24 / Sat – Other sheep  |  Read John 10:16

This is an interesting statement. Jesus was speaking to Jews who rightly expected God to send the Messiah to them. They may have forgotten, however, that God promised that all the nations in the world would be blessed through them. Do you have a tendency to look at Jesus’ other flocks and exclude them or feel superior? How do you respond to the ‘black’ sheep who look so different as if you think God could not possibly want them? Think about the time when you weren’t part of His flock. What drew you in?