MY SHEEP
Suggested Reading: Ezekiel 34-35
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Sheep grazing in Israel. There are two sheep dogs in this picture. One is up front. Can you find the other one among the sheep. Someone has suggested that "goodness and mercy" are the two sheep dogs of Psalm 23, charged with protecting the sheep. In today's reading, Ezekiel 34, God promises to gather, feed and care for His people as a shepherd would his sheep.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 34:11, 13
For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and search them out…And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.”
Because of unfaithful and self-centred leaders, the shepherds of Israel, God’s people have fallen into the hands of their enemies and have been scattered, and the land God gave them has been desecrated. In Ezekiel 34, God, through Ezekiel, rebukes the leaders. They were to lovingly guide and build the nation in a responsible manner. The opposite was true. This resulted in God backing off until the offending generation of “shepherds” had passed off the scene, and new leaders such as Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah became the shepherds of Israel. God, Himself, assures those in Babylonian captivity, through Ezekiel, that He personally will be their Shepherd, bringing them back to good pasture on the mountains of Israel. Ezekiel reminds the people of the great shepherd king, David, who had died hundreds of years before. There is a descendant of David who referred to Himself as “The Good Shepherd!” Read John 10:11-15 for a New Testament meditation.
Ezekiel 35 shows God’s desire to turn around for good the people of Mt. Seir. These are Edomites, descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob (whose name God changed to “Israel”). Edom, too, shall know Who is the true Shepherd…”that I am the Lord” (35:15b).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as one of Your sheep I pray that I will, as Jesus said, recognize Your voice and follow You closely. I’m experiencing Your promised “showers of blessing!” (34:26b). May I never stray away from You, Good Shepherd. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I first heard of Eric Metaxas when I became aware of his work as the writer of Veggie Tales, a children’s video series. Next, I read his book Amazing Grace on the story of William Wilberforce, the man God used to free the slaves throughout the British Empire. The publication of this book brought him to Canada as a guest on the 100 Huntley Street program. Again, he traveled to Canada for a TV appearance rearding his book Bonhoeffer, the German Pastor who stood up to Hitler and exposed the evils of his regime. Yesterday, Ron Mainse and Moira Brown made an announcement on television about a brand new weekly USA version of 100 Huntley Street, which features Eric as a regular host (click here if you missed it). Tomorrow, God willing, I’ll introduce a young lady who is hosting with Eric. Click here for Eric’s, “My Conversion Story.” Please pray for these two God-called people.
Yours for communicating the Good News of Jesus in the most effective way possible to new generations of precious never-dying souls, all of whom need Jesus,
David
P.S. Check out Eric’s books (click here).
Congratulations on the launch of 100 Huntley Street in the USA with Eric Metaxas as a host. Enjoyed listening to his video clip. Ichthys, Koine Greek word for fish, represents the most basic and timeless symbol of the fish, that Christians know. It is similar to putting a block parent sign on one’s door. The representation of the fish is so well known to Christianity.
secret Christian symbol[2] and now known colloquially as the “sign of the fish” or the “Jesus fish.”[3]
Here’s praying for the introduction of your Christian programming into the USA.
Can’t leave today’s comment without mentioning a wonderful story about a gentleman, Angus Buchan, on YouTube. What a prime example of a shepherd! Please Google this video, pack a lunch, and enjoy ’cause it’s long and worth every minute of your time. Google, “Angus Buchan Documentary”.
God bless.
I am now off to Kingston today to join a Lenten Bible Study series led by Bishop Michael Oulton on Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Praying for the future success of Eric Metaxas, and all those involved with 100 Huntley Street programming on both sides of the border.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Praise the Lord with me brothers & sisters, for He has seen fit to once again honour the tie between a father and his son by orchestrating the reunion of my grandson with his father, my son! (Our prayed for meeting of yesterday)
It’s happening a little faster, as it is now March 25 instead of May1. This necessitates my son looking for and securing a 2 bedroom apartment instead of the small apartment he now is in. I myself am also in a Junior 1 bedroom as my job has become uncertain. Furniture is needed, special school program, many adjustments all the way around.
But, God has everything in His Merciful Able Willing Loving Hands, I will lay down on the grass, as the Word from yesterday has indicated, and let God work out all the details!
Praise His Holy Name! Thank you for your continued prayers for this situation, for the turning back of my son to the Lord and the salvation of my grandson.
I appreciate your prayers very much! Alexandra, God has looked upon this family, Numbers 6:24-26! with tears of gratitude, joy and thankfulness! Amen!
Praise the Lord, Alexandra! So happy it has come to fruition! Continuing to pray, that everything else that is needed will fall into place for you and your precious family, dear sister-in-Christ!
Praise God Alexandra for His answer to prayer. Will continue in prayer for what is needed and God’s hand to bless your son and grandson. Our God is Able!!!
My first impression of the American new 100 Huntley Street hosts is that they exude personality in an entertaining fashion and can curiously spark interest, both spiritually and in social context, to a wide spectrum of viewers. I would definitely tune in to see and hear more. I add my prayers for its successful launch and following as others are lead to Christ Jesus! Your teachings, thoughts and words, David, have certainly been a source of blessings to us and the ministries spawned to this generation and beyond!! Thank you!
Congratulation my prayer is with them as well
Lianne Hogg
Good morning Pastor David, the other dog is popping his head up among the rear sheep.
Thank you for our reading today and Praising The Lord as He is Our GOOD SHEPHERD, and that He seeks out those who are lost.
I pray the launch of 100 Huntley St. USA will be a blessings to those who host and that many will come to Jesus through it’s ministry. Seeds planted still growing Pastor David!!!!!
Praying for the launch of Huntley Street in the US.That many more may become followers of Jesus, and that His Name will be glorified!!
The new program for USA television looks like it will be more like a “talk show” similar to “Opera” or one of the others that are on daytime TV – only from a more Christian perspective… Do I have this picture correct?
May our Lord Jesus bless the success of 100 Huntley USA and that 100s if not 1000s would be led to Christ through this new programming… God Bless! Amen!
Congratulations and will pray for them as well. May many souls come to believe in Jesus.
Couldn’t find the 2nd dog but see that one other blogger has said it is popping his head up near the rear of the flock!! Will try another look!!
Nancy xoxoxo
Dear Rev. David M.
It was so nice to see Ron back at 100 Huntley Street yesterday morning with Moira . He looked so nice, tanned and rested.
( Praise The Lord ) such a well deserved break.
Heavenly Father I pray for a huge success of 100 Huntley Street USA. In the name of the One and Only SHEPHERED of His flock Jesus Christ. Amen.
Adding my prayer for Alexendras son and grandson may The Lord be glorified as He provides what is needed. Thank you Lord thank you Jesus .
Have a blessed day everyone .
xxxx Carole.
I am so glad you are bringing 100 Huntley Street to America – Praise The Lord! I am always blessed by this blog and today’s reading has very special meaning. When they thought I had miscarried my youngest son, Jason, God gave me Ezekiel 34:16, telling me He was “binding up that which was broken and strengthening that which was sick”. God took care of Jason and, as David knows, now he is an evangelist and Ron and Ann’s son-in-law – God is so good!!! May He use the new USA outreach mightily!