There's no greater sense in life, than that we will be taken care of. That we could be free of cares, chaos or confusion. That God has our best in mind. In Christian circles today, many think it takes slick cliches' to serve God in a 'dynamic' way. It simply takes following the Shepherd. Trusting in his tender care. Yep, this is the secret to having a successful, effective and long lasting ministry wherever we are. Ps 23:1-3 says: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Do you know anyone who is like The LORD?
Astronomers tell us that the Milky Way, is a family of more than 100 billion stars. They say could be as many as 100 billion other galaxies in the universe. And they believe that the billions of these galaxies’ billion stars could have hundreds of millions of planets like our own. The sun is so large that, if it were hollow, it could contain more than one million worlds the size of our earth. There’s stars in space so big that they could easily hold 500 million suns the size of ours. There are about 100 billion stars in the average galaxy. And there are at least 100 million galaxies in the known universe. But many is a 100 billion? If we were to count 250 a minute—day and night—it would take us about 1,000 years to count to 100 billion. Multiply this by a few trillion, The distance from our galaxy to the next nearest one is nearly 1,500,000 light years. That is the distance light will travel in one-and-a-half million years going 186,000 miles each second. My Father did that!
The Lord is my shepherd David is saying, ‘He's my main source of guidance and protection. He's the one I love to spend my time with.” The Bible describes us as sheep. The bad news is, sheep are some of the dumbest animals around. They can't swim, can't fight, can't run fast. I am a sheep. and you are a sheep. Good news is, He's the Shepherd, not us.
I shall not want - The Lord owns you. He bought us. We're His. He will take care of us. He knows what we face. Our dreams, desires; Our bills, ambitions; Yet, It's when we stay close to the shepherd that we become healthy, and recieve the best care. The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, Sheep do not just take care of themselves. They take a lot of work. This verse talks about being at ease, and rest with enjoyment. Talks about the shepherd leading them gently to a resting-place. Its a pastoral word used of gentle leading to the watering-places, then causing them to rest.
Note: An unfed sheep is always on their feet and on the move. They can't ever rest. God wants you to have His peace in life.
he leads me beside quiet waters, Sheep lack a sense of direction, and by nature sheep are very fearful and nervous. Apart from the shepherd they can’t fight off any enemy. So they're defenseless. That's why it's difficult for the shepherd to have sheep lie down. There's 4 Issues before they do:
They have to have their fears dealt with. They have to be free from friction with those around them. . They have to be well fed. Free from flies and parasites.
2 Things sheep shy away from: Fears and friction
FEARS
Today, you'll be surprised at the different fears people have. I've met people afraid of elevators. Mice, being alone, etc. There's a guy I know of, who's literally afraid of dogs. Seems funny, but to them its not funny. 8 % of what people worry about is true. The other 98% is things we have no control over and things unrealistic made up in our minds. 1 John 4:18 says “perfect love casts out fear." 2 Tim. 1:7 says that the sound mind is the mind free from fear. But fixed on God. Daniel instead of being afraid, prayed. How much fear we allow in our life is related to how much time we spend in prayer. Dan 6: 10.
1.) A word to you who love to watch scary movies. You must stop this practice. You're allowing the enemy to gain a foothold in your mind and heart. As well as your household. Then we wonder why we think Jason or Freddy is at our door!
FRICTION: Among sheep, this is considered the "Butting order".
This is a fight for position. Its the desire to be numero #1. Did you know that wanting to be No.#1 among people takes peace out of our lives. It causes worry and distraction. J. Oswald Sanders said, "Man, should not seek the office. It's the office that seeks the man." In other words, its my job to be faithful and fruitful. To blossom where I'm planted. A while ago, in ministry. There was a leader in a certain district. I knew the individual was a shady person. Things so happened that leaders came to me and would pretty much vent. I, in love, and respect, would share concerns with the leader. Someone has well said that, "it takes a big man to see how really small he or she really is." Well, to make a long story longer. Word got around to his leaders, that I was "disobedient" and not open. When it was really the other way around. Funny thing is that, everyone knew it (Or so I thought). So I tell my wife. Vera, "Proof is in the pudding. Let's keep on doing what we've always done. We have always been in the trenches. People know that. We have a good reputation, in the ministry, city, and community. We've been faithful to God. (Didn't say perfect) Let's do this," I said. Well, God continued to bless us. What happened to the leader, you ask? He's not there anymore. Yet, nobody came around and said, "Hey, Roy. You were right. We were wrong." But you know what? They don't have to, but people know. So its cool. You might find yourself in a similiar situation. Not to worry. Stay in the fight. Continue to be faithful. Do not be moved by the power seekers. Stay in the trenches and do your job for God. Disciple people to the Lord, Your leaders, to the gospel. Be faithful! No matter what. An elder of our ministry, Ed Morales, once said, "Trials or hard times will affect your performance. But they should not affect your performing." Furthermore, Do you know how Jesus responded? With the towel of a servant. That's how. And its interesting, that whenever the shepherd was around, there was no bickering, rivalry, competition. No, "Hey, I got position yes I do, I got the power how bout' You'!! Leader does this ever happen to you? That whenever you come around, (I said sometimes. Not all the time everywhere.) people start moving faster. Why? (You know the ol' Cat's away syndrome) Doesn't feel that good. Again, why? No.1# I don't see myself as a big shot. I'm not afraid to pick up a shovel. That's who I am. No.2# People don't serve me! They serve the Lord. So whatever they do is to the Lord. God is the One who rewards. Me? Well, I'll just give you an ol' pat on the back, or a slap upside yo' head (Just kidding).
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes our soul. Yes, indeed. At times we find ourselves stressed out. They cut back your hours, stress. Traffic, stress. Somebody talks to us the wrong way, stress. Your spouse takes their anger out on you, stress. Dealing with independant and stubborn people at church, stress. Smash your finger, like I did last week, stress.
he restores my soul. Restores means He renews, refreshes, rebuilds, reclaims, recovers and revives. He revives life in us. He is an oasis in the midst of multiple terrains and seasons of life.
Sheep had the potential to be problematic. One such issue was becoming a 'Cast sheep’ - They would get a little comfortable at night and look for a soft spot to snuggle in. Just like a cat. And we have the tendency to be the same way. We look for the easy life, the easy way out. We look for the soft spots in life. And in the morning, when sheep would get up. They'd realize they could not, because of their heavy wool. Then, gasses in their stomach would cut off their circulation. So being in that hot sun, didn't help. So sheep would die. The shepherd would be concerned, when he'd see vultures circling the air. He'd think it could be one of his sheep. His next move was to shear the sheep. That's right. Take off all the dirty wool. With dirt, parasites, splinters, small tumble weed branches and all.
As leaders, disciples, coaches or parents. Must be careful of 2 things:
1. Be careful of too much soft places of life. More people have fallen in a time of leisure than in time of sacrifice. That little spider monkey you play with on the side, will one day, become King Kong, and smite you. That little pet, the secret sins you play with, (If you do)will one day squeeze the life of God out of you, like a boa constrictor. Let's keep ourselves on the cutting edge in Christ.
2. Be careful of the old self life - Its what I call, "The Old Shaggy You."
One reason the High Priest in the OT could not wear wool in the Holy of Holies? Is because it symbolized the flesh life. It was repulsive in God's sight. The flesh is in rebellion to God. We as Christians, mighta served God for many years. Now the fire is not so bright. And you seem to think, "Well, I've paid my dues. I did my job!" But what about now? Does God not speak? Has your time passed you by? Because you have no position at church. Does God not have the capacity to still use your life? Get, back to what God wants you to do. Remember the promises He's given you. There is much for you to do today. We need you!
1. Let others know about the goodness of the Good Shepherd.
2. God's watching you and knows what's best for you. Don't worry!
3. Know you're on a journey. The road you travel on is an adventure.
If you'd like to leave comments feel free. Baah! Baah! Baah, Baah!
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