THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Suggested Reading: John 10
(click scripture link to read online)
It was a joy to observe the care and interaction between this shepherd and his sheep and goats in Nazareth.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
A relationship is obvious in the picture above. Gather around our Good Shepherd and enjoy His company. Jesus is our Friend, our Provider, our Comforter and He calls himself, “the Door.” Shepherds literally became the door every night. The sheep slept in a cave, and the shepherd would lie down across the opening as their protector. We are His sheep. No enemy will be able to destroy us. He bears the attack. He is our Protector and Deliverer. Our Shepherd has already given His life for us. We need fear no evil. He has already overcome the evil one and won victory over death and hell. He promises that we will know His voice. We should take time right now to listen. We’ll hear that still small voice of our loving Shepherd. He has a message of love, peace, and hope. Psalm 27 ends with the words, “Wait on the Lord.” We may want to read this entire Psalm (click here).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Slow me down so that the pace of modern life won’t get in the way of my relationship with You. Because of Your presence I am filled with courage and my heart is strengthened. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Several readers responded to my blog the other day with a request for the rest of the story. Avedis from Armenia was one who asked me to do this. Check back to October 23rd for the first part of the story in my “100 Personal Words” portion.
I was told this story when I was in the Armenian Socialist Soviet Republic delivering equipment for a children’s hospital following the devastating earthquake. The Baptist and Pentecostal Pastors had been arrested following their Sunday night services. As they sat in the cell, the warden arrived with another prisoner. It was the Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church. They sat in silence for a time when the Patriarch spoke. He said, “I was the leader of the young communists when I was in my thirties. I had an encounter with Jesus Christ and He transformed my life. I arranged your arrest with the authorities. It was the only way I could get your attention. I beg you to stop attacking me. I want to win people to Jesus just as much as you do. We’ve got to work together to win Armenians to Jesus.” They’ve been helping each other ever since. The two Armenian priests, who were sent by the Patriarch to study with us here in Canada, graduated with the highest marks in the history of our School of Broadcasting. We have graduates in over 80 countries who help share the good news of Jesus on TV and radio. Therefore, what the Patriarch said includes you and me, “We’ve got to work together.”
Yours for the call to “work together” to reach the world with the best news ever heard,
David
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still
(Dorothy Thrupp – 1836)
Thank you, Scott–that is wonderful!!!
The need to work together is crucial across all denominations and followers of Christ. We are, “His sheep and hear our sheppards voice.” Unity happens when we focus on Christ’s unconditional love and acceptance. Also, when we keep an open mind, discern and thirst for understanding.
Do what you can with what;s been given. Doing what God created us to do and we gain a sense of purpose and become closer and more grateful to the ONE who gave the talents. Nothing is so beautiful as the Creator and creation working hand in hand.
That’s an amazing & wonderful story.
I need to pray the same prayer you said David
The world around us is sometimes to fast and I need my personal intimate relationship
with God or I ‘d would not want to think where I would be if I did not.
I loved your story and the picture is great.
Have a good day David
Lianne Hogg
Dear David, I have been especially blessed by your faith offering today. Significant that your outreach comes from the realm of the heavenly anointed. Psalm 23 has always provided crucial blessings in my life…. Now, you have introduced me to the beauty and reassurance of Psalm 27. I am eternally grateful!
Psalm 27 is beautiful. Thank you, David, for today’s message. Yes, we all must work together and tell others how much Jesus Christ has transformed our lives.
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
This has been my heart’s cry since I was first saved.
Thank u David for your wonderful stories
They bring such encouragement
We do need to work together.