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Our Great Shepherd: Sheep-ish Tendencies

Psalm 23 is one of the most recognizable passages of Scripture. Its words have been sung, prayed, and illustrated in countless ways, but if we’re not careful we can become so well acquainted with these verses that we forget the power these words hold. To recognize God as our Shepherd means we also have to accept that we are indeed like sheep: dirty, defenseless and helpless. Without a shepherd, the sheep are left to their own devices, which ultimately will lead them to starve, wander off, or be attacked. This week, let’s slow it down, remind ourselves that we are sheep in need of a loving Shepherd.

 

Sheep-ish Tendencies

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

Charles Swindoll says that sheep need three things before they are able to rest:

  1. They need to be able to see their shepherd.
  2. They need the safety of the flock.
  3. They need freedom from predators.

MondayWithout these things, sheep will wander until they collapse from exhaustion. They will forgo food and water until all three of these things are fulfilled, but they cannot make these things happen for themselves. All three things have to be taken care of by their shepherd.

A shepherd does everything for his sheep. Everything. He defends, he cares, and he provides. He constantly seeks out the best for his flock, and the flock simply trusts and follows.

Too often I let the sight of my shortcomings stop me in my tracks and get trapped in the mindset that I have to come up with the resources, the wisdom and the right words to say to others. I’m like a sheep who realizes the full inadequacy of my sheep-ness, and I forget about the Shepherd who is showing off His strength in my weaknesses.

Because the Lord is our Shepherd, we lack nothing. We don’t have to be in a constant state of grasping for more stuff, more validation, more love. We can be fully satisfied, full provided for, fully approved of and fully loved by our Shepherd, forever.

When we allow something else to “shepherd” us – our jobs, our relationships, even our ministry – we remain wanting. Outside of our true Shepherd, we will never find the satisfaction our hearts desire. We will be led astray, we will find ourselves vulnerable to attacks, and we will constantly wander until we simply cannot go on.

Embrace your position as a sheep in the flock of God, and trust the Shepherd who goes before you, follows behind and walks alongside of you.

Chelsey

Living to Please God: Rejoice Always

If people walk with me, talk with me, looking for truth

They’re gonna find out soon

If they’re following me, then they’re gonna follow you

So let my life speak loud and clear

Lord, I wanna hear

“Well done.”

Well Done – Mariah Peters

I want to live a life that pleases God. I’m pretty sure if you’re reading this blog, you do, too. It’s not always an easy thing to do. We all want to stand before the Father at the end of our lives on earth and hear,

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share in your Master’s happiness”
(Matt. 25:21).

 We know going to church, giving tithes and offerings, helping others, and all that good church-going stuff; but Paul gives some pretty clear instructions to the church in Thessalonica as to how to live a life that pleases God. This week, we’ll take a look at some of them.

 

Rejoice Always

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I Thessalonians 5:16

As messed up as this world is, we have plenty of reasons to rejoice. Birthdays, holidays, marriages, anniversaries, and other special occasions are all reasons to celebrate. The simpler things in life – a baby’s first smile, the feel of a loved one’s hand in yours, or a beautiful sunset –are remarkable moments as well. When things make us happy, It’s easy to give God thanks (though sometimes hard to remember to).

What about the unexpected bill? The diagnosis you didn’t want to hear? The horrific news of a tragedy? The tunnel that seems so dark you can’t even see a hint of light at the end; and if you do, you’re afraid it’s just an oncoming train!  How are we supposed to give thanks for or rejoice in those circumstances?

The Bible is clear: we are to rejoice in all circumstances. Even the really crappy ones. I know when you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders, the last thing you want to do is rejoice. You’ve probably got the “pray continually” thing down at that point – we tend to pray more when we need more. But rejoice? How can I thank God for a diagnosis of cancer? How can I rejoice in a $600 car repair bill? 

The obvious answer is you can’t. God isn’t saying you should be happy the car broke down. He’s telling you to rejoice because you know Who is in control, and that He will get you through whatever circumstance arises.

The Greek word used in this verse is cairo, which means to be glad or rejoice exceedingly. Not just sort of. Not a lukewarm, half-hearted hurrah. Rejoice. Exceedingly. As in “to an unusual degree,” according to the dictionary. Pray. Sing. Dance if you want. David, a man after God’s own heart did exactly that – in the streets of Jerusalem, much to the dismay of his wife!

When God says, “rejoice always,” I don’t think he’s talking about rejoicing because we just got slammed with a huge, unexpected expense. God wants us to look for the things we can rejoice about in such circumstances. By looking for the things we can rejoice in, things we can be thankful for, and the things we can praise God for, we turn our focus away from our problems and back where it belongs – on Him.

Rejoice always. You have a Savior who loves you, who died for you. No one will ever love you the way He does.

Pray continually. Talking to God constantly keeps your focus on Him and the lines of communication open between your heart and His.

Give thanks to Him. Acknowledge who He is in your life and what He’s done for you.

“…for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In His Love,

Amy

Living to Please God: Wake Up

If people walk with me, talk with me, looking for truth

They’re gonna find out soon

If they’re following me, then they’re gonna follow you

So let my life speak loud and clear

Lord, I wanna hear

“Well done.”

Well Done – Mariah Peters

I want to live a life that pleases God. I’m pretty sure if you’re reading this blog, you do, too. It’s not always an easy thing to do. We all want to stand before the Father at the end of our lives on earth and hear,

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share in your Master’s happiness”
(Matt. 25:21). 

We know going to church, giving tithes and offerings, helping others, and all that good church-going stuff; but Paul gives some pretty clear instructions to the church in Thessalonica as to how to live a life that pleases God. This week, we’ll take a look at some of them.

 

Wake Up

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
I Thessalonians 5:6 
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.”
I Thessalonians 5:11

I’m awake, I’m alive

Now I know what I believe inside …

Awake and Alive – Skillet

In Thessalonians 5:4, Paul tells us that we are “children of the light” and “children of the day.” We do not belong to darkness. And since the Prince of Darkness rules this world, that means we do not belong to him, or this world.

I think of this verse often these days, when we have so many making predictions about what will happen in the world. The ancient Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world in 2012. Many “prophets” claim to know the exact date when Christ will return.

To them, I say, “Hogwash.” The Bible is very clear: “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (I Thess. 5:2) Paul also says, though, that this day will not surprise those of us who are looking for Him, if we are “awake and sober.” If we’re living the way God wants us to live – getting up every day and putting on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18,; I Thess. 5:8), walking in His ways, studying His word, and keeping our hearts and minds open to Him, then we will be prepared for His coming. We may not know the day and time, but we do know He is coming.

I admit it can be kind of scary. The world is a messed-up place, and while we often find tremendous joy and great beauty here, when I become frustrated I have to remind myself that this is not my home. It’s easy to forget in the wake of the tragedies of this world that we know how it all ends. We know Who wins.

Jesus died so that whether we are “awake or asleep” – meaning both those who have died knowing Christ and those still living who are His – we may live together with Him (I Thess. 5:10). Not only do we know Who wins, we know we share in the victory.

I Thessalonians 5:11 says we should use these words to encourage each other. So, spread the word. If someone you know is a little down or frustrated, whether because of world events or personal ones, remind them God is in control. And in the end, not only does He win, but we do, too.  This is one “spoiler” I’m sure they won’t mind!

In His Love,

Amy