Separated From the Flock

"Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25

Do you find yourself separated from the flock today?

Being separated from the flock tends to make us an easy target.  Predators love to isolate their victims.  They separate them from the flock or herd and pick them off, devouring them one by one, and few of us ever see it coming.  

The devil is the same way as a predator.  He isolates his targets, making them easy prey.  But when he can't isolate them physically from the flock, he goes after their minds.  He isolates them with negative thoughts, things on social media, lies, thoughts of self-harm, worthlessness and other terrible tools.

I want to speak hope today to every father and mother who has done their best to raise good and God-fearing children who have turned away from our loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus.  You may not have shared your burden with the Church family for fear that you would be judged, or perhaps you have been judged already.  Perhaps your child is in a homosexual relationship, has left the faith, or has become an addict.  Maybe you have lost your child to suicide, drugs, or some other nightmare.  I want to encourage you to share your burden so that you do not become isolated, easy prey, as well.

You are not alone.

The devil wants you to think that you are all by yourself, but you’re not. The same God who rescued you and me from sin sees your pain.  He is mighty to save and restore.  He sees every tear you have cried, has heard every prayer, and He loves you and your child more than any of us could ever imagine.

The devil will whisper, "You’re useless to serve others now. Who would ever listen to you?  Look at the way your child turned out!  Look at the mistakes you've made!"  He will tell you not to share your burden because others will condemn you, or not understand.  But the truth is that the devil knows corporate prayer is a powerful thing.  These thoughts come from the devil and are intended to isolate you and put an end to the power of prayer, as well.

I Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to, "Never stop praying" (NLT).

I don't know when God will answer your prayer, but I know that He hears.  I know that He sees.  I know that He loves you, cares for you, and His wonderful plan for you and your child is not finished yet.

Hebrews 10:25 tells us, "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near" (NLT).

Be encouraged today that you are loved, adored, and seen  by the very maker of your soul.  And His Church loves you and longs to pray with you, too.

Goodnight, Runners.