Sheep Need a Shepherd

Sheep Need a Shepherd

 

I am certainly no expert on sheep, but from what I have heard they are pretty dumb and very defenseless. Without a shepherd to provide for their basic needs, protect them from danger, and prepare them for various activities and challenges, they would be in big trouble.  

 

 

I love the 23rd Psalm for many reasons. But what has been on my heart about it lately are the first five words, ‘The LORD is My Shepherd’. All the proclamations David makes in this psalm are only true because of these five words.

 

David’s Proclamations in Psalm 23:

• About Himself and His Life
• I shall not want
• I will fear no evil
• My cup runs over
• Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
• I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever

• About His Relationship with God
• He makes me to lie down in green pastures
• He leads me beside the still waters
• He restores my soul
• He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake
• You are with me
• Your rod and your staff they comfort me
• You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
• You anoint my head with oil

Five more words I really like are, Jesus is the Good Shepherd!

• John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
• If you haven’t done so lately, I would encourage you to read all of John chapter 10.

I am so thankful I have a shepherd who provides all my needs, protects me from danger and prepares me for life!

• Provides: Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord will Provide) Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
• Protects: Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord is my Banner) Deuteronomy 20:4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’
• Prepares: Jehovah-Mekaddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies) Exodus 31:13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

Jesus is the loving shepherd who died for the sins of the world! And not only did He die to pay the price for our sins, but He also rose from the dead as proof of His deity and as a promise of eternal life for those who surrender their lives to His Lordship by accepting His free gift of salvation.

 

 

Prayer

 

 

Dear Lord, I am so thankful to have a shepherd who loves me. You faithfully demonstrate Your love and consistently fulfill the promises You have made in Your Word. Without You as my shepherd, I would be lost and in grave danger. It is such a blessing to boldly proclaim and regularly experience the benefits of Your loving care and the relationship we share. Please bless all Your sheep while continuing to draw others into Your fold. Thank You for the beautiful words of the 23rd Psalm and how You have used these Words over the centuries to bless and comfort many souls. I praise You and love You. I long to be an obedient sheep. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

 

The Affordable Soul Care Act

The Affordable Soul Care Act

 

While the United States of America wrestles with the legal, moral, technical, financial and political issues associated with the Affordable Healthcare Act, every living soul on the planet will deal with the implications of the Affordable Soul Care Act. Healthcare is a temporary concern. But Soul Care has eternal consequences!

 

Every single person who has ever lived, other than Jesus Christ, has offended God. Our offense is called sin and happens as a result of our:

• Inherent Inability to Reach God’s Standards
• Irresistible Itching to Rebel Against God’s Laws

But because of His perfect love for us, He made a way to address the issue of sin.

• Romans 5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

There are two critical aspects of this reconciliation:

• First, we have peace with God through the death of Christ (a sinless sacrifice).
• Colossians 1:20-21 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 
• Second, we have eternal life by the resurrection of Christ (proof that He is God).
• John 14:19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

Why is this so important? Because whether you are reconciled to God or not, you will exist for eternity (either in perpetual suffering or in unending fellowship with God).

• Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

So why am I calling this 'The Affordable Soul Care Act'?

• Affordable – Salvation in Christ is a free and undeserved gift from God.
• John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
• Act – To receive this gift you must understand it, believe it and then act on it by surrendering your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
• Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

There is no broken website keeping you from the only insurance policy for your soul. So act now. Talk to God about your decision to follow Christ!

 

 

Prayer

 

Father, You have done all the work and made all the provisions for Your physical children to be reconciled to You as Your spiritual children. May the truth of Your Word presented in this devotion touch the heart of someone who needs it. I trust Your sovereignty and praise Your providence. In the glorious and powerful name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.