HE CALLS THEM BY NAME

by Max Lucado

WHEN I SEE a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. A herd of hooves. I don't see a sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None different. That's what I see.

But not so with the shepherd.

To him every sheep is different. Every face is special. Every face has a story. And every sheep has a name.

The shepherd knows his sheep. He calls them by name.

When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. Filling a stadium or flooding a mall. When we see a crowd, we see people, not persons, but people. A herd of humans. A flock of faces. That's what we see.

But not so with the Shepherd. To him every face is different. Every face is a story. Every face is a child. Every child has a name.

The Shepherd knows his sheep. He knows each one by name. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And he will never forget it. I have written your name on my hand (Isa. 49:16).

Quite a thought, isn't it? Your name on God's hand. Your name on God's lips. Maybe you've seen your name in some special places. On an award or diploma or walnut door. Or maybe you've heard your name from some important people-a coach, a celebrity, a teacher. But to think that your name is on God's hand and on God's lips . . . my, could it be?

Or perhaps you've never seen your name honored. And you can't remember when you heard it spoken with kindness. If so, it may be more difficult for you to believe that God knows your name.

But he does. Written on his hand. Spoken by his mouth. Whispered by his lips. Your name.

Prayer Request: July 6 - August 18

My kids study in a christian school, before they join this school, my older kid had a emotion problem, he was kick out by the school, actually, he is a good boy. After he joined this school, he changed, he could control himself,thank God, six months later, he and my family became christian until now,(nearly 4 years ). We love this school, but now, our finance dropped, we cannot support the fees, and my kids may have to leave from this school, this is not our will, because, if they leave this school, it means we have to find another school and Church, since the school and the Church are in the same location, so when they go to the Church, they will see their classmate, I'm afraid they will feel sad. Now I need miracle, only God can create miracle. God bless you all! p.s. school inform us to pay in next week or we leave the school. I really need your help, please pray for us. --- alan lee

Thomas Christopher has a Staff infection that has spread through his blood and caused his organs to fail. He has pneumonia in both his lungs and is on a Ventilating Machine. He has fluid and infection surrounding his heart. He needs a miracle of healing from God. Please pray for him. God Bless --- Ril