HEART OF THE SHEPHERD Pt.2

Right now for the sheep, its the halfway mark. The faithful shepherd is leading the sheep to higher ground. So just picture it. The shepherd is leading the flock up the gentle slopes. They trust him. They know he has their best in mind. The sheep feel secure, because they know the shepherd will not leave them. They have built a relationship with them. He knows each by their name. Now, the shepherd was dressed a certain way. He wore a tunis and girdle; He wore his sandals; He was equipped with slingshot, pouch and oil; Along with that he had his rod and staff. Again, his work was not easy. If anything it was a very difficult one. Many think, "Well, the ministry is appealing. Its easy, I can do it." Maybe you can, maybe you can't. It depends on God's call for you. Anyhow, they see the lights, the benefits, the glare and the applause. Yet, they fail to recognize, it's not easy pastoring people. The shepherd had to deal with the elements up in the hills and gorges. He had to show tenderness to the young and feeble. He had to hunt down strays, and was very watchful at night, due to wolves, lions and other wild animals. So it meant not alot of rest and sleep. His job was one of danger, soberness, diligence and vigilence. “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;” Remember, the first part of the chapter, its like the sheep is talking and boasting about the shepherd, (Remember the movie, BABE?) then without warning, the shepherd comes walking. Then the sheep starts to talk to him, in verse 4.

“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. He keeps me on the right track and helps me do what honors Him the most.”

1. We live in a culture that is contrary to God. It pays off to live for God

2. We try so hard to do things in our own strength, and we can't. But if we walk in the righteousness of the Lord, and cleansed by His blood, we will make it.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; You will be with me. Though invisible, You wilt attend me. I will not go alone; I will not be alone.

I will fear no adversity, bad, misery, distress, affliction; or calamity. Verse four speaks of inner assurance, complete trust.

Let me say this:

1.)There will be valleys to higher ground. I've heard many people say, "Man, I'm going through the valley." Not knowing that in a valley you find nourishment and water. Someone once said, "When you're in the valley, take the time to smell the roses." Listen, our life is a journey. If you're involved in ministry, you are helping others make it through the valley, as well as helping them fulfill their potential in life.

2.) For every dark tunnel, there is a light at the end. Has it been tough for you? Whatever difficulty you may face, you'll see brighter days. And the thing about the dark valleys, is that God is right by your side. I grew up in Santa Ana, Ca. We lived by some railroad tracks. My dad, when there was a need to go get some food at the store, would take me at night. I remember us walking through the dark tracks at night. Not knowing if some wino would creep up on us. I remember looking up at the stars and my dad holding my hand. How secure I would feel. With my pop by my side. As long as I knew he was by my side, I didn't care what we faced. It's the same with you and God. There's some of you. You are very lonely. You feel you are all alone. Even as Christians. Even as ministry workers, leaders, or even some of you pastors. Have I ever felt lonely? Yes, I have. Yet, we must turn things around. Why? Well, there's a difference between loneliness, and aloneness. Lonely speaks of depression. Aloneness talks of you before God and communing with Him. There is a light at the end of that valley.

“If we never walk through the dark valleys we would never know how to appreciate the bright beauty of life.”

4 your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The rod was a 2 feet long club with a knob at the end with nails. It was the main weapon of protection and main weapon of power. It was for discipline and warning. It would bring effective control of the flock in every situation. The rod talks about God’s Word. God’s word is an extension of God’s mind and God’s will. Why would the Shepherd need the rod? Well, it was the shepherd's strength, authority and power. Well there was 4 types of sheep (Which one are you?):

Never satisfied sheep; The explorer sheep; The do it my own way sheep; And the content and peaceful sheep. God's word has something for each and every one of us. How can we minister to others, if we are deficient of God's word? Soak your mind and heart in God's word daily.

4 your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The staff was between 6-8 feet long. It was a symbol of concern and compassion. It was a symbol of management used to untangle sheep. And it was a symbol of strength. The staff was used for discipline and warning. It protected the sheep from from snakes and wild animals. It was used to draw the sheep close to Him. They would lift the sheep when they fell. Push the sheep into the gate and into the fold. The shepherd would walk with the sheep and guide them. The staff speaks of the Spirit of God in our life. What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?

1, He gets us untangled. How many times have we gotten in messes. How many times do we work with people that have multiple issues, and you say to yourself, "How in the world can I help these people. They have so much problems." Leader, we need God's Spirit to do the work. Many times we want to take the place of the Spirit of God. Then we mess everything up. We say the wrong thing. We make the wrong decision. We operate in 'our own strength' instead of God's leading. Then things go from bad to worse. Ever been there? "Oh, what tangled webs we weave."

2. He keeps us in line. We're the type of people (Well, some of us, not all) that don't like to be told what to do. You say, "Well, who died and made you Chief? Yeah, but you don't know my small group leader!? You don't know the way my parents are!? Its not easy following the pastor. I don't like the way the pastor's wife talked to me, yesterday! My, boss, I can't stand him!" I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said, "He that cannot obey, cannot command." I'm here to tell you, that the kind of leader you have is the kind of leader God knew you needed. It is your job to be faithful. Its not your job to rationalize. To question every decision(As long as its in line with God's word). Its not your job, to make decisions that are not yours to make. I was in a Victory Outreach Christian Recovery Home for 3 years. Boy, what a long 3 years. I was under a director that was a man of God. Yet, being under his leadership was tough. In the beginning, wow! Talk about torment. We would work six days a week for the payment of the bills of the home. He was a rough guy. He was very rough on me at times. I remember one time. We had come back on a Saturday ( This was 22 years ago, but it seems like yesterday), he had instructed me to do a certain thing which I thought I had succeeded in doing. At the end of the day. As the other men were getting ready for Bible study. He met me outside. (Hatchet time. I didn't say Hammer time, I said Hatchet time) He told me why didn't I do what he had instructed me to do. I told him I did. But, he pretty much didn't listen to me. He knew he had me like cat has a mouse. So there he went. He gave me what the Bible calls a rebuke. A bad one at that (You ever experience that?). Anyway, he left me right there as he left, bleeding and all (Figuratively speaking). Me? Well, I just began turning different colors. Blue, green, then red. I was mad. (Lucky you weren't there) I said to myself, "Who the heck does he think he is!" I was so mad, I left (Not left the home.) I took a walk. But the heavy thing is this. In like 5 years I hadn't cussed. God had changed me. But there and then, I began cussing. And you know what? I was praying too! I was telling God, "You know God, this blanklety, blank, blankety dude! This guy is too much. Just give me 5 minutes, and I'll fix him. Please! How dare him! I'm sick and tired of this blankety blank blank stuff! You know, he's too much, that turkey! He doesn't even appreciate all the things I do for the home, that blankety, blank, blank!" Picture it, Its saturday evening. I'm all dirty from a long busy day. Then a bombshell is dropped on you. Also, the thing to realize here now, is that at this time I was crying too! Sobbing. But here's the thing. I needed a leader like him. A leader that wouldn't let me get away with nothing. God knew I would be in my own city. I needed a spiritual internal helm. Convictions. God knew he would give me a big responsibility one day. The responsibility of leading hundreds, and thousands one day. God wanted to change my life. God knew I still had that corrupted language inside. And He was determined to use an instrument in the form of a home director to bring it out. The director was a good man. He is my friend. He pastors in a different city now. But God used him, as God is using your'e leader to this day. God has to put you in line. Maybe your leader is really a sinful leader. Or is partaking of carnal evil. Think about David. He would not of become king, if he would of never had a Saul in his life. So don't despair. Stay put. You are in a win win situation.

3. He breaks unhealthy habits we have developed. One type of sheep there was, was a sheep called a maverick sheep. These were the kind of sheep that always had to go their own way. They had baaahh! habits. When these sheep continued, and when they began to influence some other sheep. Then the shepherd would take action. He would break their legs. If they still would not listen after many a time. He would kill that sheep. And so that bad spirit would be abolished. Someone has mentioned that habits are like beds, "Easy to get into, but hard to get out of." Especially 5:00 a.m. He breaks unhealthy habits.

3 closing lessons:

1. As long as God is with us we need not fear evil. Don't be afraid. Trust in Him. He will see you through. You have to get through those valleys, to get to the exhilirating mesas. The mesas with breathtaking and visionary views. Can you just see it now? Don't be afraid.

2. When we come to God (As sheep), we must come with a blank page, for Him to fill it. In other words, "Whenever you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!" Hah! Hah! An attitude that says, I'm here, God. I want to follow you. Its not easy for me, but you are with me. I can't make it without you. I need your strength to do your will. I want to be pleasing to you." You do that, and rest assured He will fill that page. You'll be baaaaah -ing, all day long.

3. Expect to get stuck, eaten up alive, and bitten, when we decide to go our own way. Don't be hard hearted. The thing I find that's very helpful is prayer. As long as I'm right with the Lord. Things will be OK. It'll help deal with difficult situations. It helps us see things in a different perspective. To see the big picture. Pray.

If you'd like to share an experience or would just like to leave comments. Feel free.