they know him...

January 28, 2013

John 10:1-4

V4 …the sheep hear his voice and he calls them by name and leads them out

It’s an interesting relationship, the shepherd and the sheep, I mean an actual shepherd and the animal. It’s an unusually close relationship; one that I’d say is closer than some human ones. The shepherd can recognize the sheep that belong to him; now, to me one sheep looks exactly like any other sheep, but each shepherd knows which are his. He takes care of them; he knows them, he even names them. The sheep aren’t the most intelligent animals in the kingdom but they know the voice of their shepherd. They know him enough that they will not follow any other shepherd out of the pen. His voice is theirs and they know it. When we think on our relationship with Jesus, are we this close with our Shepherd? If not then we should be…

the wrong way and the right way...

January 23, 2013

1 Peter 5:1-4

V 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock

This is one of those verses that you just read over not really giving much attention to, unless, its happened to you. Unless you have ever been in a position to feel like the God’s word, which is precious, and a double edged sword, has been used as a hammer on your life and not in a way that’s meant to edify and grow you. Not unless you have ever had someone in authority try to hammer their personal opinions into your life as if they were gospel. Then you realize how different domineering and being an example really are!

the battle...

January 22, 2013

Acts 2:21-25

V 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul

Although I know that once we are “in” God’s flock we can’t truly “stray”; yet, I find myself battling to stay within the flock. I constantly feel like I have to fight my “self” to stay. Which is ludicrous I know. The shepherd holds me. I can’t help but think of Paul in times like this when he said that he constantly battled between what he knew to do and what his flesh wanted to do. How wonderful a day it will be when we no longer have to battle, when we can just rest with our Shepherd?  

little red riding hood...

January 18, 2013

Acts 20:27-29

V 29 …fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock

Thanks to my son, Jackson, I have watched lots of Animal Planet and Nat Geo Wild. I have had the opportunity to watch many shows about wolves. In general, I’d be confident to say that I wouldn’t want to have to deal with any variety of them, human or animal. They are predators; in order for that to be true there must be prey. Unfortunately, the prey for human wolves is God’s church. It’s the flock of the Shepherd. Many times these human wolves will do anything to get to its prey, even hide itself in sheep’s clothing. Perhaps, this is the most dangerous wolf; the one you never see coming. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has given to His church a protector, an under shepherd to watch over His flock. That being said it’s of the upmost importance that churches choose someone worthy and up for the task.

being found...

January 17, 2013

Luke 15:3 …if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it.

How thankful am I that when I was the lost sheep the Shepherd came to find me? I am also thankful that although I can never be “lost” in the eternal sense I can still lose my way far from God’s will, and He will once again find me. He will bring me back. I am ever thankful that my Shepherd watches over me!

Pondering...

January 15, 2013

Proverbs 15:27 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things

Ponder is defined as, “…to consider something deeply and thoroughly” this can’t be done spur of the moment. I tend to live my life in the “spur of the moment”, yet; God tells us that certain aspects of our lives MUST be thought out. We must take the time consider, to ponder, to think. If we don’t; more than likely we will say things we regret, or do things we wish we hadn’t. Unfortunately, there are no Do-Overs in life. We only get one change, shouldn’t we make sure it’s a good one and not a wasted one!