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Inspired Message: Merry Christmas - Points to Ponder
Jesus, The Good Shepherd
A Devotional by Sharon Reid
From John 10 - Jesus the Good Shepherd.
The title that God the Father bestowed upon His Son, is full of meaning--multi-factorial in its promise. How awesome is our God!
Consider the picture. What do you notice? Take a minute to consider the artist's rendering of what the Good Shepherd means. Write down your observations if you want to.
Now, consider yourself and your past and present life circumstances. Have you ever wandered far from the flock and the safety of the Great Shepherd? Were you ever tempted to stray, discover forbidden territories? If not, have your thoughts or the persuasions of your friends, acquaintances, or even strangers, ever tempted you to consider straying? How about in the dark of he the night, when the work day is done? When no one is watching? God is looking over you, even when you think you are alone. He offers protection 24/7.
In Luke 15:3-7, Jesus speaks of His dedication to all his sheep…
When one is lost, he will "leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture to go after the one who is lost until He finds it". "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing". Yes, the Shepherd rejoices when he finds it!
This is no hired help shepherd; this shepherd loves his sheep, each and every one! Jesus, our shepherd, literally laid down His life to save every one of His sheep. And then He arose from the grave to continue to offer salvation to anyone who wants to enter the fold.
Reference:
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock. In His arms He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom.
As in Psalm 23, the Lord comforts you and protects you. He guides you back to the flock.
Regarding the picture, do you love that the little lamb is black? Have you ever been the black sheep? Jesus rescues those, just the same! Consider the waterfall in the background. Is it a danger to the sheep who wanders? Is it so tempting to go and visit? Or does it seem like a thing of beauty, so far away that it is hard to imagine ever reaching it? But then, when it is finally reached, the sometimes-difficult journey is so worth it?
Reference:
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
A Devotional by Sharon Reid
From John 10 - Jesus the Good Shepherd.
The title that God the Father bestowed upon His Son, is full of meaning--multi-factorial in its promise. How awesome is our God!
- For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. Ezekiel 34:11-12
Consider the picture. What do you notice? Take a minute to consider the artist's rendering of what the Good Shepherd means. Write down your observations if you want to.
Now, consider yourself and your past and present life circumstances. Have you ever wandered far from the flock and the safety of the Great Shepherd? Were you ever tempted to stray, discover forbidden territories? If not, have your thoughts or the persuasions of your friends, acquaintances, or even strangers, ever tempted you to consider straying? How about in the dark of he the night, when the work day is done? When no one is watching? God is looking over you, even when you think you are alone. He offers protection 24/7.
In Luke 15:3-7, Jesus speaks of His dedication to all his sheep…
- So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
When one is lost, he will "leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture to go after the one who is lost until He finds it". "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing". Yes, the Shepherd rejoices when he finds it!
This is no hired help shepherd; this shepherd loves his sheep, each and every one! Jesus, our shepherd, literally laid down His life to save every one of His sheep. And then He arose from the grave to continue to offer salvation to anyone who wants to enter the fold.
Reference:
- Psalm 16:11 - You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- I Peter 2:25 - For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- Revelation 7:17 - for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock. In His arms He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom.
- He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11.
As in Psalm 23, the Lord comforts you and protects you. He guides you back to the flock.
Regarding the picture, do you love that the little lamb is black? Have you ever been the black sheep? Jesus rescues those, just the same! Consider the waterfall in the background. Is it a danger to the sheep who wanders? Is it so tempting to go and visit? Or does it seem like a thing of beauty, so far away that it is hard to imagine ever reaching it? But then, when it is finally reached, the sometimes-difficult journey is so worth it?
Reference:
- Revelation 22:1 - And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
- Revelation 7:17 - for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
- One final thought. We are exhorted in 1 Peter 5:1-4 (below) to shepherd the flock of God, to share of the joy of His return, in the name of Love. Pray for the Holy Spirit to awaken your courage to be a good disciple.
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
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Cindy Lee, the author of Connecting the Light, publishes "Inspired Messages" every few weeks. Each of these messages provide insight and inspiration in a world gone a muck! Drawn from her own life and often reflecting current events, you will find these messages have a practical side when facing life in the real world. Want to hear what others are saying? Click Here.