Universal Utterings
for December 9, 2025
A Godcast
UniversalUtterings.Com
12-09-2025 Matthew 18 v1214 Go And Search For The Stray
The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 18 Verse 12 thru 14
12 What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? 13 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 14 In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.
Matthew 18:12-14 presents a powerful parable that illustrates God’s profound love for the lost and His desire for their return. In this passage, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who leaves his ninety-nine sheep to search for one that has gone astray. The imagery is vivid and compelling, highlighting the heart of God as a caring shepherd who values each individual beloved creature.
This parable serves as a reminder that each person is precious to God, and He actively seeks those who have wandered away from Him. The shepherd’s willingness to leave the flock emphasizes the importance of every single soul; in God’s eyes, no one is expendable. This is a profound invitation for us as believers to reflect on our own roles in extending compassion to those who may feel lost or disconnected from faith.
God’s call to search for the lost reflects His divine nature—He seeks reconciliation and restoration. The joy expressed in verse 13, when the lost sheep is found, reveals the celebratory heart of God when even one person repents and returns. It is not merely a duty; it is a source of rejoicing, akin to the happiness that fills a family when a long-lost member comes home.
As followers of Christ, we are called to join in this divine mission. We are moved by God’s spirit to actively seek those who have strayed, to share the message of grace, and to rejoice in the beauty of repentance. In our pursuit of the lost, we partake in the compassion of Christ, embodying His love and grace in a world that often feels divided and lost. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. Repose of the Soul John Jeffries. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
12-09-2025 Matthew 18 v1214
**Go And Search For The Stray**
In fields of green, a shepherd roams,
With tender heart, he calls each home,
A flock of sheep, both bold and meek,
One wanders far, the lost and weak.
He leaves the ninety-nine, a choice so bold,
To seek the one, a love untold.
Through thorns and brambles, he will find,
A heart adrift, their hope entwined.
Rejoice, rejoice! When lost is found,
In heaven’s song, a joyful sound.
For every soul, both great and small,
Is cherished deeply, loved by all.
So heed the call, when strays depart,
For every sheep, has worth and heart.
In unity, we stand eternally as one,
A family in grace, until the day is done. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
December 9, 2025 @ 04:37 AM EST
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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using GodFirstforJesus@gmail.com, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**
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