Tag: Lord

Are you ‘dependent on’ or ‘independent of’ your Shepherd?

I heard a Sermon the other day that really interested me, and stirred up my soul. The pastor was preaching on Psalm 23. This is a famous psalm in that even non-believers are familiar with it.

Psalm 23- 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Now the pastor preached about the whole psalm, but I am focused on one word, “Shepherd”. Why is the King of Kings, LORD of LORDS, Host of Hosts, the Great I AM, also referred to as The Good Shepherd? And why are we as individuals referred to as a sheep, and collectively as a “flock” of sheep. I wanted to tear this apart and break it down.

In order to understand, fully, the great Shepherd, we need to understand fully the sheep. Do you know that sheep have poor eye sight? They have excellent hearing, discerning the sounds distinct to their mother. Did you know that they do not have sharp teeth? In fact, they only have teeth on the bottom front for pinching vegetation, like grass, and 30 or so back teeth for grinding. There is certainly no defense mechanism in the teeth of sheep. Did you know that a sheep has no nails or claws to defend itself? Did you know that, if a sheep is not sheared and its fleece is allowed to grow, a sheep cannot get up if it falls down and could die? A sheep sounds like a pretty defenseless animal. If you are a sheep herder, and you have even a few sheep, and they are important enough to a farmer, that herder will employ the services of a sheep dog to protect the flock from foxes, wolves, and coyotes, as well as other predators. Why? Because a sheep is pretty defenseless!

So let’s look at the shepherd of a flock of sheep. What does a shepherd do for his sheep? He has to make sure he leads the sheep to pastures for food, to water for drink. Because of the big fleece a sheep produces, there is grooming involved to prevent disease in the sheep and in the flock. Sometimes they help bring new lambs into the world. They protect the flock from predators. They lead the flock from one area to another. And to a good shepherd, when one sheep goes astray, he goes and gets that sheep. Again, most shepherds do employ the service of a sheep dog to help with the herding. One interesting observation I have made is, as I looked into shepherding, I saw many photos of shepherds “driving” the flock from behind the flock. An interesting note as we continue.

When we read the bible we have to remember that a lot of the analogies written therein are about activities that the people knew of, were a way of life, and could relate to. Today, sheep herding is still going on, but probably not in the same way, and not as a way of life. There are many city folk who probably never saw a ewe or ram, let alone know how defenseless they are. That is why I chose to write about this. I think we forget the true meaning of biblical stories and how they identify God’s will for us in our present day.

Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. That means we are his sheep. Do you fully understand just how vulnerable you are to the great predator, who walks to and fro seeking out those who he may devour? Do you fully understand that you have no defense of your own? I often think that as we get saved, and grow in our faith that we get to thinking that, somehow, we no longer need the shepherd. When I go to church, and I go to many different churches, on a Wednesday night there are so many programs and activities going on independent of but at the same time of the Shepherd’s teaching, or as I would say, his leading/feeding the flock. I cannot help but wonder, every once in a while, do these people not need prayer? Is there no one for them to pray for? Since there is a Wednesday night bible study, I also wonder, do they already know the whole bible and all of God’s will that they do not need to be in with the shepherd? On Sunday, I see people out in the hallways talking casually to one another and some running in and out of offices tending to “business” matters of the church while the Shepherd feeds his flock. Do you not need to hear the sermon? Are you that secure? Is it because you are an officer or elder in the church that you no longer need a shepherd? According to what I understand, according to what this Psalm teaches, you are a sheep and you have no defense against the devil. Either you are a wondering sheep or you are of His flock. Which one is it?

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I think this verse; along with the soothing sound of the shepherd leading me to green pastures, sometimes gives us a misleading sense that we are not susceptible to sin. That somehow it is you who is doing the miracles and not the Holy Spirit; that it is you who wards off evil, and not the Holy Spirit. You alone are not the strength; you alone are not the power. You alone are not the safe sheep. You can do all things WITH Christ. The SHEPHERD leads you. You are a follower, and you are to be obedient to the leader. You cannot act divinely independent of Christ. If you recall, satan tried that once, it didn’t work out all that great for him and he was the most powerful and beautiful angel. You cannot fight satan without the blood of Christ. In fact, you don’t fight satan, you call on the Spirit, and it is the Spirit that fights satan, not you. Not any part of you.

Matthew 9:36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

You are helpless. Being a follower of Christ, being obedient to His will, is totally and completely incumbent upon you humbling yourself as to understand that you are nothing. You cannot do anything on your own. You are totally dependent on your shepherd. The sinful world believes that believers in Christ think we are better than everyone else. Quite the opposite!! We true believers know and accept that what we really are is broken useless vessels without Christ. We are doomed, insufficient, incapable, deficient, and destined for hell.

Many people say, “I don’t have to go to Church to have a relationship with God.” You’re right, you don’t. But do you realize that as Christ is the shepherd of His flock, meaning all followers- the universal body/universal church of Christ, and, in the same regard, shepherds are anointed by God to be shepherds of the local churches. Look at what he told Peter. If you are at home, how do you enjoy the benefits of a flock? How do you benefit from being fed by the Shepherd Christ appointed to feed you?

John 21:15-17 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Now there are particular meanings to using ‘Lamb’ and then ‘Sheep’ twice. That is a lesson for another day. Here, for my purpose of writing, we need to focus on the fact that Christ sends to the sheep, shepherds. You cannot be your own Shepherd!! Even the shepherds need shepherds. I know that there are “Pastors to the Pastors” “Ministers to the Ministers”. We all need to be fed and groomed and led and protected. I made an observation earlier that the pictures of shepherds that I saw as I studied this showed shepherds “driving” the flock from the rear. Our Shepherd leads from the front of the flock. Following Him is a choice made from free will. How then can a man who made a choice to follow act independently of the leader? Is that true following? I don’t think it is; I think you are leading yourself in your own direction. We need Jesus Christ for our salvation. Stop standing in the halls during church service and go into the sanctuary (the green pasture) and be led by the shepherd anointed and appointed by the Good Shepherd. We are to be so humble as to admit that we are in need. You cannot be truly saved if you don’t think you need to be saved. How then can you claim a Shepherd if you think you are the shepherd? Let’s look more on this subject in the continuing verses regarding the lesson of being a shepherd in John 21.

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

We have a great Shepherd in Jesus Christ. None other can lead to the rest of the green pasture that he leads us to. No other shepherd can protect us from the predator satan. No other can deliver on the promise that Christ has made for and to us. Are you a true sheep in His flock? Have you humbly admitted that you are defenseless, that you can do nothing, and that you are nothing without the Shepherd? That is where it all starts my brethren.

If you stand in the mirror what will the reflection tell you about yourself, and what are you going to do about it? May the peace of God be abundantly heaped upon you and your house, straight from the cross to the Christian!

I Am Broken, And My LORD Makes Me Whole!

Maybe not everyone will agree with me on this, but in some way, shape, or form, I believe we are all broken. I have never met one person who, for the entirety of their life, has never met opposition, abuse, depression, pain, long suffering, tragedy, emotional distress, and/or grief. Maybe there are some who cannot think of one time in their life when they wondered about the meaning of life, where they fit in, what they’re doing wrong, or why they are even alive. But as for me, I cannot imagine that this one person exists. Even my Lord, Jesus the Christ, was broken. I have often pictured his broken body as they nailed him to the cross. When I feel down, or in the deepest bowel of my struggle, I see the mental image of Him. I know that there is nothing that I am enduring that can begin to compare to the pain and suffering He endured. And yet, He overcame death. He is the Lilly that blooms every day. From the withered tree, a tree mal-nourished, dry, leafless, a flower blooms. Even from our own pitiful situations, we can shine like the North Star. Even in the pit of despair, we can light the way of another’s path. We wallow in our own sorrow, feeling so sorry for ourselves, missing the pain and suffering of others. I am so glad that my God uses broken people. I am so glad that in the midst of great sorrow, I can still have joy. The joy that comes from knowing I am not forgotten, I am not alone, and I am nowhere near as bad off as I believe I am. I see broken every day, or at least almost every day. I hear of burn out and the professional life expectancy of a person who deals with other broken people. But praise God, I have a counselor who hears my cries, who lifts me up when I need to be lifted, who has put the right people in my life who don’t mind if I call them and vent, and who are always willing to love and care for me. Maybe most people who read this think I am crazy, and maybe you do not believe in what I believe in, I am okay with that because it is your choice. But I have to tell you that I cannot imagine being burnt out; I cannot imagine having a life span in any field that is any shorter than the life span that God has intended for me to even walk the face of this earth. I cannot imagine it because He is where my strength comes from. If I burn out, I have lost my faith. I am not so foolish as to believe that I am in charge of anything; I do not believe that I have control over anything other than the choices I make. When I chose to have faith in my Lord, when I chose to drop all of my woes at the foot of the cross and walk away, I come away refreshed, more so than any man can refresh me, more so than any medication can refresh me, more so than any drink or drug can falsely refresh me. We are all withered trees. We all have endured, some of us continue to endure, and wonder why. Where are you getting your nourishment? We should understand that even in our brokenness, we can bloom, we have something to offer, and God has a purpose for us. Instead of asking why me, ask for the Lord to show you the next step. Let the flower bloom and let everybody see it. Lift your head, open your eyes, take that step, reach out that hand, shoulders back, back straight, and carry on. These are the flowers. Let them bloom! Move forward in spite of the withered tree that you are. That is the flower. Let it bloom!  The perseverance, the determination, the endurance, the plowing through, these are the flowers. Let them bloom! The experience that just taught you a lesson, the new knowledge you have, the new friends who found you in your time of despair, these are the flowers. Let them bloom! The testimony you now have to share with others, the compassion you have for other withered trees just like you, the journey that brought you through, these are the flowers. Let them bloom! Just when you think nothing good can come from where you are, a flower will bloom. That’s the Lilly, that’s the Lord. Let Him bloom in you! Just when you think you cannot take anymore, you carry on. That’s the Lilly, that’s the Lord, let Him bloom in you! I praise God this morning for all that He has carried me through. I praise God for the lessons, and the strength. I praise God because I know that today, I am going to rely on Him, and I will see a flower come from a withered tree. May the peace of God be with you all today!