What does it mean that we are God's people? We know it is something good but just what is it?
"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100:3, NIV*.
This Bible verse starts with the declaration that the Lord is God, as a reminder that everything begins with him, not us. Our identity is not in what we own or have achieved or who we are, but our true identity is in who our God is.
WE HAVE A CREATOR
WE HAVE PEOPLE
God did not make us to be alone. We belong to a society, to a people who are his; we not only belong, but we each have a purpose in God's plan to be a blessing to his people. God made us each with gifts to share with His people wherever they are. We each need to be a blessing to his people; we diminish ourselves and others when we draw away from the community of faith.
WE ARE CARED FOR
"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100:3, NIV*.
This Bible verse starts with the declaration that the Lord is God, as a reminder that everything begins with him, not us. Our identity is not in what we own or have achieved or who we are, but our true identity is in who our God is.
WE HAVE A CREATOR
God created us on purpose. What we are, what we look like, our talents, and gifts were given by God. We might say, "I wish I weren't like this or that," but we should be thankful instead. If we have a weakness or a flaw, we know God has a purpose for it. We are so often caught up in the outside looks and all the external things, but God is working on the inside.
WE BELONG
We are his. Because of this verse, you can say, "I know who and what I am. I do not need to go on some quest to find myself." Our lives become an expression of being found in Jesus. We belong- this is better than a club, or family, society, gang, or any group.WE BELONG
WE HAVE PEOPLE
God did not make us to be alone. We belong to a society, to a people who are his; we not only belong, but we each have a purpose in God's plan to be a blessing to his people. God made us each with gifts to share with His people wherever they are. We each need to be a blessing to his people; we diminish ourselves and others when we draw away from the community of faith.
WE ARE CARED FOR
"We are the sheep of his pasture." Sheep are very dependent. Sheep lack fangs and claws; they are not built for speed, and "Baaa" is no "Roar!" Sheep live and thrive because the shepherd takes care of them; he protects, nurtures, and provides for them. Our God is the Good Shepherd- He cares for us and provides.
We each have a place; we are in his pasture. It is like we are doubly loved and cared for. Who can imagine what an excellent pasture the Lord has for his sheep? We not only have a Creator, an identity, and a purpose, but we also have a place-His pasture. We have a place in the heart of God. You can say, "I am in his hands."
TO KNOW THE LORD
Knowing someone is involved in a relationship, and that no relationship ever plateaus: all relationships must grow or wither. To know the Lord means you must continue to grow in knowledge.
We each have a place; we are in his pasture. It is like we are doubly loved and cared for. Who can imagine what an excellent pasture the Lord has for his sheep? We not only have a Creator, an identity, and a purpose, but we also have a place-His pasture. We have a place in the heart of God. You can say, "I am in his hands."
TO KNOW THE LORD
Knowing someone is involved in a relationship, and that no relationship ever plateaus: all relationships must grow or wither. To know the Lord means you must continue to grow in knowledge.
(c)Adron Dozat 12/23/12