Grains of Sand

Pixabay, Public Domain “ …and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever ” (Psalm 23:6). Journey done. Home at last. The picture of sheep and shepherd is one of wandering from place to place, from pasture to pasture, from watering hole to watering hole. It is a picture of dangers and difficulties from which the shepherd guards his flock. It is the life of a pilgrim—exactly what believers are in this world. But now it is time to go home. And the Shepherd knows the way. He’s been there. Everything is prepared. Jesus told His disciples “ Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me that you also may be where I am ” (John14:1-3). Thomas was confused at Jesus’ words. We might wonder what the confusion was since he had walked with Jesus for more than three ...

Pixabay, Public Domain If it were left up to the sheep, they’d stick to the same paths, the same pastures, the same watering holes. And eventually, the pastures would be eaten away to nothingness and the waters polluted to the point of contamination. The shepherd needs to guide them to fresh pastures and new streams. " The Lord is my shepherd…he guides me… ” Psalm 23:3. When was the last time you found something fresh and new in the Scriptures? It’s an old book that is always new. I’ve been attached to church since I was born, and a follower of Jesus for fifty-five years. I’ve been a student of the Word of God for a long time, more so in recent years. And I can say without a word of a lie that I discover new things constantly as I explore the Book. The truth isn’t new—it’s always been there. It’s just that I didn’t see it before. My fault. I either wasn’t ready for it, or not paying attention. But the Spirit of God guides us to, I guess you’d call it, “old truth made new.” Wha...

Pixabay, Public Domain The Lord is my SHEPHERD . In Spanish this phrase is translated: “ El Señor es mi pastor .” As in all things, we are to model our Lord (1 Peter 2:21). So, as He is the Great Shepherd, the quintessential Shepherd, those who claim the title of shepherd or pastor are to model Him. There are many who use the title of shepherd or pastor who are not pastors. They may be CEOs, or supervisors, or coordinators, or bosses, or leaders, but they are not pastors. They may meet the criteria mentioned in Paul’s epistles and be the husbands of one wife, manage their families, not be given to hungering after money, be well-behaved, and be able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2). But those things alone don't make them pastors. A person who exercises his duties through manipulation, intimidation, or isolation is not a pastor. A person who will not disturb his lunch to come and offer a prayer or a shred of comfort to a parishioner at the point of death, is not a pastor. The...

Pixabay (Public Domain) The LORD is my Shepherd Of all the occupations to choose as a way to illustrate His character, God chose to be likened to a shepherd. Shepherds were not exactly the upper crust of society. In fact, they were pretty much the lowest of the low. Remember the story of Israel (aka Jacob) coming to live in Egypt? Joseph told his father that when the Pharaoh asked him what he did to sustain life he was to emphasize that they were shepherds. That was a guarantee that Pharaoh would settle them as far away from the Egyptians as possible. The Egyptians despised shepherds. But the Highest of the high chose to be named as a shepherd. The God of the universe walks the earth with staff in hand to look after the interests of His band of sheep. But He relinquishes nothing in this move to the lowliest of occupations. He is always God. His is always all-powerful, always all-knowing, always present everywhere. He doesn’t need naps, or lunch breaks, or vacations, or assistance....

Pixabay (Public Domain) It’s all about the shepherd. Matthew 9:35-38 says: “ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ ” I was struck by the phrase, “ …harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd .” It wasn’t that the people of Israel didn’t have leaders—there was an overabundance of those, military, political and spiritual. What they didn’t have were shepherds. As a result the people were “ …harassed and helpless, ” left to the wolves. Dare I say that the same thing is true today? We have many leaders but few shepherds. Jesus called for prayer. We often pray for young people ...

Google Images Most of us are familiar with the word pictures that Jesus used to describe Himself. As the Shepherd, as Living Water, as the Resurrection and the Life, we know Him. But here, at the beginning of John 10, is a picture that we don't often hear much about even though its truth is understood by probably all believers. “ Therefore Jesus said again, ‘I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep...I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture ” (John 10:7, 9). Before making this magnificent statement, the Lord describes those who come into the sheepfold by any other way as thieves and robbers (10:1), making it clear that it is only through Christ that we can enter the Kingdom, and reminding us that it is possible for pseudo-sheep to sneak in among the real flock of God. Jesus also gave a brief mention to the “watchman,” the one who minds the gate (10:3). This gives a nod to those who bring the good news of Jesus...

“ I will search for the lost and bring back the strays, I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, I will shepherd the flock with justice ” —Ezekiel 34:16, NIV. One of the complaints that God had against His people was directed toward those who were the spiritual leaders of the community. They had failed to care for those for whom they were responsible. Their concern had been only for themselves and their own agenda. As a result the flock had gone astray. God pronounced judgment on them and announced that He would personally be their Shepherd and look after them as He had expected that His appointed shepherds would. The sheep themselves would not escape notice for among them were those who needed to be corrected as well. They had also had a hand in leading the others astray. To be the spiritual leaders of God’s people is a fearsome responsibility. Jesus rebuked the spiritual leaders of His day in the strongest terms for lea...