Category: shepherd

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12.9.24. The True Shepherd

Because sheep tend to wander
Sheep need a shepherd

Revelation7 Our Good Shepherd

The Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

What a marvelous promise to those who have faced the threats and wicked ways of the satanic kingdom. They lived in terror, but the Lord has surrounded them after their martydom and given them peace and a new robe of righteousness. They now live in the embrace of the true Shepherd of their souls. Just as the psalmist wrote, they will be led by the Good Shepherd to the springs of living water. They will feed on the green pastures and lie down in peace. 

Do you know the Good Shepherd? He is waiting to shepherd you to the springs of living water just like the Samaritan woman found and drank from it. Have you drunk from the springs of living water? Come and drink and let Him quench your thirst.

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Be an example.

1 Peter 5 Suffering and Glory

Peter resonates with the elders in the churches that he has seen, participated in and walked in their shoes. He saw, witnessed, the sufferings of Christ, although he knew not what all of that meant at the time. Jesus came to him on the seashore and challenged him to feed his sheep, tend his flock, and feed his lambs. Peter took that charge and now speaks to those who are leading the house churches and mainline churches around the dispersion. He includes himself in this as a fellow elder and gives charge to them to lead with humility. 

As these men lead, they are to model Christ. As you look at the elders in your church, do you see their model of humility? Do you see them feeding the flock that attends? Do you see them loving one another as Christ loved them? These are the qualifications that you are to observe in those who are the leaders of your church. Pray for them, honor their position and learn from them. 

Consider yourself blessed to have seen, touched and learned from each elder who has the responsibility over you for as Hebrews says, Christ will hold them accountable. They may suffer as the early elders did but they did so looking forward to the day when their glory will be revealed. 

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Peace and Joy

God loved


Rom 14 Do you have the Christmas spirit yet? There are only a few shopping days left, but is that what is essential? Paul may not have been reminding his readers about Christmas, but today, we are reminded to have peace and joy as we celebrate. There are songs and scripture readings galore. We have parties and church plays. People dress in their finest reds and greens.

Dr. Luke gave us the story of the shepherds and the angelic choir, reminding us that Christmas is not about parties and other things but the birth of the Messiah. The angelic choir sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [Luke 2:14] Paul captured that theme as he wrote to the Romans. Messiah has ushered in the kingdom of peace: ” for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [Rom 14:17]

Hoping you are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ this season.

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Lessons from a Sheepherder

Amos 1 to 5 You may be like some who relate more to Amos, the humble Sheepherder from Tekoa, than someone who wears their Ph.D. on their sleeve.  Case in point, some years ago, I encountered a pastor who reminded me that he was to be called Dr. Jones.  Some unbelievers react that way when we wear our salvation on our sleeve rather than in word and deed.

God had a message for Israel and reveals the profound and hidden things whether we are a sheepherder or a Bible scholar. God used humble Amos to reveal a simple warning message: For three things…no make that four is his repeated refrain to the depraved Israelites who had lost their way.  

Certainly, the Sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan: He is not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance. [Amos 3:7; 2Pet 3:9] Perhaps you feel like Amos, and you say to yourself, let someone else tell them. But God has chosen you. Others may call you or see you as foolish, but God has given you His message of His love. [1 Cor 1:27]

God is calling all sheepherders and Bible scholars: Go and tell the good news.

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Sheepherder or Ph.D.?

Amos had a message and he shared it

Amos 1-3 Simple but profound

Two days ago, my childhood friend passed from this earthly life to sit at the feet of Jesus. Her mother washed my diapers, and my mother did the same. That is how long we have been childhood friends. She was not a theologian of the Bible, but her life was a theology lesson in her deeds. She was, in some ways, the Ruth to her Naomi and her mom. Then her Boaz served her when she slipped into Alzheimer’s. It was fitting that God chose him, for he was an undertaker by profession. In some ways, that is sort of ironic, isn’t it? Just like “sort of like” Amos was a sheepherder. Who would have chosen a sheepherder from Tekoa to care for His sheep? But God needs shepherds and God needs us.

We say Amos was “just” a sheepherder, but God chose him out of all the Ph.D.’s and the others to tell the nations of His plans. How often do we feel like Amos because we don’t have a pedigree, or do we feel like Jeremiah thinking some other person will tell them? But, God has chosen what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise and what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. [1Cor 1:27]

So what does that have to do with our study today? Amos shared this truth: the Sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan. [Amos 3:7] And that truth is: God is not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance. [2Peter 3:9] God uses sheepherders and those who have a Ph.D. God uses ALL of us to be His conduit to a lost and dying generation. God had a simple warning message: For three things…no make that four was his repeated refrain.

What simple message has God given you to share? And more importantly, are you going and telling?

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Sheep Need Shepherds

Because sheep tend to wander

Ezekiel 34 “The Shepherds”

From Genesis to Revelation, God has revealed His Son, the Good Shepherd. In Psalm 23, He is “my” Shepherd who will take us to the green pastures beside the still waters. In John 10, He is the “Good” Shepherd who searches for His sheep; and knows them by name! However, just as long ago, some self-indulgent false shepherds plunder the weak sheep. God told Ezekiel that He would pronounce judgment on them. Jesus told the shepherds of Israel that He was there in their midst and reminded them that they had seen the same miracles that Chorazin saw but sadly remained unrepentant. [Matt 11:21]

Today across our nation, we have shepherds. They are in positions of authority both in and outside the church. They are now, as then, self-indulgent. God knows and sees all. Jesus still is our Good Shepherd and the Lion of Judah. He will seek out His sheep and rescue them. He will find them, bandage the injured, strengthen the sick and judge the self-indulgent shepherds. When that happens, not just some but all will know He is the Lord.

Today, we need prayer for the shepherds both in our religious and civil circles. They all need prayer to be wise and discerning as they care for the sheep lest they wander. Who is your shepherd, and are you praying for them?  

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The Good Shepherd

Jesus is the Good Shepherd

Ps 22 – 24 The Shepherd, Strong and Mighty

No matter what the world throws our way, we can be assured of God’s presence beside us, before us, behind us leading us.  Psalm 22 reflects the thoughts of David, the King, amid the trials of life.  He knew that one day the Messiah, the eternal King, would come and face trials of which he never knew or experienced, yet this he knew; His name is strong and mighty; He is trustworthy.

Indeed, David knew that he was one of the sheep of God’s pasture.  Just as then, the Good Shepherd calls us out of the darkness of sin into His glorious light.  He directs our steps and takes us to the refreshing quiet living water.  He knows that rushing water and the swirling waters of today’s news are unnerving, yet in His pasture, we find peace.  In His pasture, we can feed on the lush green grass which is the Living Word.  He is the Good Shepherd who leads us, for we require His tender care.  [Psalm 23]

What a blessing to know that out of His love, He ransomed us with His blood.

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Sin -> Shame -> Restoration

Take care of the flock

Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 21

We cannot read the shameful behavior of Peter without it resonating in our souls. How many times do we say “I won’t deny,” but then we do? We deny by our words, our mannerisms, and our choices. Jesus warned Peter that he would deny, but just like us, he vehemently said, “I won’t.” But the proof is in the pudding, he did deny, and we do as well.

It is in the next step that we want to focus on. Judas betrayed but did not exhibit shame like Peter. How often do we hide behind our shame like Judas? How often do we exhibit shame in our tears as Peter did? What caused the difference? Judas never saw the eyes of Jesus, but Peter did. The eyes tell us the heart of the individual, and as Jesus looked at Peter, the soul of Peter crashed. It was in that moment that his bravado turned to his bitterness of shame, and he wept.

But then the grace of our Lord sought to restore Peter on that day in Galilee by the seashore. As he denied Jesus three times, Jesus would restore him with three questions: Do you love me, Peter? With each question, Peter had to determine his love quotient. In his shame, he had to walk through those questions, and we do as well. Do we love Jesus? Then Jesus tells us to feed his lambs, shepherd his sheep, feed his sheep and follow Him.

Where are you today?

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“Jesus in Ezekiel”

Jesus is shepherd Jesus is Lion of Judah

Ezekiel 34 From Genesis to Revelation, each author presents Jesus. He is sometimes seen as a teacher or a mentor, but in Ezekiel, he is the Good Shepherd in contrast to the bad shepherds who did not care for the sheep. Ezekiel receives a message from the Lord God to prophesy against the false shepherds of Israel. They plundered the weak sheep, which were scattered and became food for every wild beast. But, the Good Shepherd will search for His sheep and gather them from their distant places to feed on the rich grass of the mountains of Israel.

Later when Jesus came, he saw Israel once again floundering and the sheep wandering because of the bad shepherds. He pronounced judgment on them and reminded them that they would have repented long ago if they had seen the same miracles that Chorazin saw. Even though the bad shepherds refused to yield to God, one day the Good Shepherd would come, and He would lay down his life for them. Ezekiel’s message to the exiles was that the Sovereign Lord knew what was happening. He will seek the lost and bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the sick while the bad shepherds would be judged. “And then you shall know that I am the Lord” for He is the Good Shepherd and the Lion of Judah. God sees and He will judge all sin.  [Num 32:23]

Trust God; He is Sovereign, He is the Good Shepherd and the Lion of Judah

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God loves Shepherds!

James 1 2 shepherds2a

Advent Series: James 1 & 2 The Shepherds

Did you ever wonder why God Most High showered the shepherds with the gift of His Son? God loves shepherds and His Son would be known as the Good Shepherd. Think back to one starry night so long ago when God looked down from heaven and found a group of shepherds whose hearts were open to His gift. God gave His people the privilege of caring for sheep, the most vulnerable of all animals. Most likely Abel was a shepherd. When the children of Israel sojourned in Egypt the brothers of Joseph were shepherds. God lovingly provided a safe place to raise their flocks along with the Egyptian’s flocks and the flocks prospered under the care of the Israelites. Later, the psalmist sat on a hillside watching the flocks by night just as the shepherds Luke described. He wrote about himself as a sheep in need of peace and quiet–and God provided.

Truly the God Most High is the giver of gifts. He gives liberally and without reprimand. Yet, God does not give to just anyone but those whose hearts are responsive. If we want the gift to see His Son we must ask in faith without doubting because he who doubts is like one caught in the riptides of the sea being tossed to and fro. Perhaps James was considering that when he wrote: All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.

God’s eye is upon those whose hearts are receptive to His gift of the Savior.

 

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