Shepherd Leaders

Are you a leader? Are in you in a position of authority? Are you a team leader, manager, director, vice president, CIO, COO, CEO, or president? How can you know if you are doing your job well? Do you think your responsibilities are only what is written in your job description?

If we stay at the same workplace long enough, many of us eventually are promoted into management positions. Some of them are lover level, some mid-level, and some are upper-level management positions. If we are true leaders, we take responsibility for those who work for us.

The same responsibility should be taken by leaders in our churches. God expects it. As the prophet Ezekiel speaks the words God gave him to speak, God expects shepherds, leaders, to feed the sheep. Feeding takes many forms. It includes speaking the truth of God, teaching the congregation God’s Word. It also includes caring for them, looking after them, and counseling them when needed.

Depending on the size and demographics of the congregation, no one person can provide for all the care needed. Other leaders and caregivers must assist. This is an important task God has given to his people. If the shepherds are not taking care of the sheep, God will remove them. This especially true if the shepherds are being selfish, only taking care of themselves and ignoring the sheep. A shepherd, leader, must focus on what is best for those under their care.

I pray we all know that shepherds are to care for their sheep. I pray we also know that it may require multiple shepherds working together. I pray each one of us who are leaders have a heart for caring for others. Shepherds care for their sheep. Leaders care for others. God will remove selfish shepherds.

Ezekiel 334:1-2 The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: To the shepherds—thus says the Lord God: Woe, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?

Anything?

Have you ever heard only a sentence or two of a conversation and completely misunderstood it? Have you read only part of an article and taken a quote out of context? Have you seen or heard others restate something out of context? Have you heard people do the same with Scripture?

Our stories are all about context. If I told you I average running an eleven minute pace for a three mile run, you might think I was rather slow, if you were a runner. However, when I tell you my age, it makes a big difference. We all know our mobility and athleticism is reduced as we grow older.

That is context, and context makes a big difference when we read Scripture. If we were to pull today’s verse out of Scripture and read it all by itself, we might think we could ask for anything and God would give it to us. But that is not the case. We must read what Jesus says before this verse and what He says afterward.

Before this verse, Jesus is talking about works. He says the works are done to glorify the Father. After this verse, He is talking about keeping His commandments. The verses before and after today’s verse puts parameters around Jesus’s statement. Those parameters include doing the works God has set aside for us to do and obeying his commandments.

Ultimately, this is about being in relationship with Jesus. Our relationship should be one in which we are so close to Him that we know what He wants. It is in this type of relationship that we ask Him anything, but that anything is in accordance with what He wants. In other words, we are asking Him to do what He has already planned.

I pray we all seek to understand the context of Scripture. I pray we seek a close relationship with Jesus. I pray each one of us will ask Him, with full confidence, to do anything that is in His will and use us to accomplish it. Understand context. Grow closer to Jesus. Ask in Jesus’ name. Ask according to His plan.

John 14:14: “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”

Accept Truth

Do you like tough saying? Do you adhere to hard truths? Do you live by those hard truths? Or do you seek a softer, easier path? Do you follow your own preferences rather than statements of truth? Are you learning hard lessons because you are not following the truth?

We live in a time when our culture tells us that anything goes. Whatever seems right to you is fine. When things don’t work out, our culture fights against the consequences for not following the truth. Unfortunately for many, many people, there will come a day when fighting against the truth will no longer be an option.

We have a choice, each one of us, we can obey the truth of Jesus Christ, or we will face the consequences. Our world can deny Him all they want. But there will come a day when they can no longer ignore nor deny who He is. When that day comes, it will be too late to have a change of heart. The consequences of not believing in Him are severe. No, worst than severe. Worse than the most severe outcome we can imagine.

Jesus tells us who He is. He tells us that He is the pathway to the Father. He tells us that He and the Father are one. If we know Jesus, we know the Father. He is the author of life, and not just any life, but life eternal. He is truth. He speaks only truth. Every word of Scripture tells us His truth. We have a choice. Deny Him. Believe in Him. The consequences are dire. May each of us make the right choice, the choice to believe in Jesus Christ.

I pray we all accept the truth of Scripture. I pray we choose to believe the words of Scripture. I pray each one of us will believe in Jesus Christ and accept the eternal life He is willing to give us. Accept the truth of Scripture. Believe in Jesus. Know that He is the way. Accept eternal life from Jesus.

John 14:6-7 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 

Anxiety vs Peace

Are you troubled? Do you battle anxiety? Are you continuously nervous about one thing or another? Do you worry about something different each day? Do you worry about the same thing every day? Would you like to be rid of it all? Have you turned to One who can relieve you of it?

We all worry about things from time to time. We all have days of troubling experiences. But we don’t have to live that way continually. We don’t have to hold onto the anxiety and worry. We can release it to Jesus Christ. He has offered to take it from us. We simply need to believe in Him.

It sounds simple. It is not. Why? Satan is continually whispering to us to hold onto it. He is continually doing his best to keep us bound up, imprisoned by negative thoughts and emotions. His goal is to steal our joy, to steal us from Christ. It is a spiritual battle that is going on every moment of every day. It is not one we see with our eyes but an invisible war going on all around us.

Jesus told His disciples to not be troubled. How? Believe in God and believe in Jesus. That belief is not merely head knowledge but includes the heart. It is a deep belief, including trust that God is in control of all things. Trusting that everything will work out according to God’s plan regardless of what we are going through. When we do, our troubled hearts are relieved and peace and joy returns.

I pray we all are willing to give up our worry and anxiety. I pray we desire the peace and joy that comes from Jesus. I pray each one of us believe in God and believe in Jesus, trusting that God is in control. Give up your worry. Give up your anxiety. Desire the peace of God. Seek the joy of Jesus. Believe in God. Believe in Jesus. Trust He is in control.

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

Holy Priesthood

Do you know what you are called to? Do you know you are called at all? Many people do not know they are called. They blindly walk through life without direction or simply going whatever way they want to go. They may become successful in this life, but do not know true success.

We are called to be a living stone. For Jesus is called the chief cornerstone. We are to be living stones who are put together to build the spiritual house of God per his plan. Sometimes, we must be reminded of our calling. That we are to become the spiritual house, the church.

We also must remember that God is only building one spiritual house. Or, as Jesus states in John 10:16, one flock. All believers in Jesus falls under one Lord. Or, as Jesus states in John 10:16, one shepherd. Far too often we all differences of opinion to divide us. The division can grow to a point of despising fellow believers. This is not God’s doing and it breaks his heart.

For if we are to be a holy priesthood, we must follow Jesus rather than our personal preferences. We must make spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God. They are acceptable, if we are doing his work in the name of Jesus Christ. But it must be his work, not our work. The two are often not the same. If our focus is not on Jesus and following Him, we are straying away from God. We are not being a living stone that is being built into a spiritual house.

I pray we know we are being called by God. I pray we understand that we are being built into a spiritual house. I pray each one of us are willing to offer spiritual sacrifices to be a holy priesthood. You are called by God. You are being built into a spiritual house. Offer spiritual sacrifices. Be part of the holy priesthood.

1 Peter 2:4-5 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Behold Wondrous Things

Are you a law-abiding citizen? Most of our citizens are despite what we see on the news. Do you seek to understand the rules? Most of us do. We know it is by observing the rules that we stay out of trouble. We also know that following the rules also leads us to success.

So why don’t we desire to know God’s law? Why don’t we want to follow his commands? If following man-made laws and rules improve our lives, doesn’t it stand to reason that following God’s commands would lead to better lives? God promises it will.

Seeking to follow God’s law and his commands does lead to a life filled with joy. Being filled with joy does not mean we never experience heartache or trouble in this world. Because this world is full of disobedience, we will experience heartache and trouble. Yet, our joy is not based on the world. It is firmly founded on God’s promises.

Therefore, we are to ask God to open our eyes to see him at work in our world. We are to ask him to open our minds to understand his commands. We are to ask him to guide us along the path he would have us travel. By doing so and serving him, we discover his wondrous blessings. We recognize him working in our lives. Our fear, anxiety, hatred, frustration, and anger are transformed into peace, comfort, love, calm, and joy.

Living the life God desires for us is far better than the life we can design for ourselves. Our foresight and goals are limited based on what we know. Since God’s knowledge is unlimited and his foresight goes to the end of time, he has a far superior view to guide us by. So, trust God to be your guide and start by obeying his commands.

I pray we all seek to follow God’s law and commands. I pray we know God has a better life planned for us. I pray each one of us will trust God to guide us as we walk through this life. Follow God’s law. Follow God’s commands. Trust God’s plan. Allow God to guide you. Experience a better life.

Psalm 119:17-28

Deal bountifully with your servant, 

so that I may live and observe your word. 

Open my eyes, so that I may behold 

wondrous things out of your law.

Whole Heart Pursuit

What is it that occupies your time? What are you pursuing? Is it professional achievement? Is it seeking a partner for life? Are you seeking to clear your life of clutter and organize it? Do you desire peace and joy in your life? Where are you looking? Are you looking to God?

There are many things that occupy our time. Most of us work at least eight hours per day. When we are not at work, we have family commitments, exercise programs, meal preparations, yard work, house cleaning, and more. Finding time to fit anything else in is a challenge.

The Psalmist states that he is seeking God with his whole heart, setting the example we should follow. As we seek God with our whole heart, God meets us and fills us with himself. The Psalmist continues by asking God to keep him from straying from his commands. Words to live by.

Treasuring God’s word in our heart is one way for us to pursue God with our heart. Reading, studying, and memorizing God’s word will help us stay on the path God desires for us. It will aid in our understanding of God and grow closer to him. Another reason to treasure God’s Word is to help us avoid sin. The better we know God’s commands, the better prepared we are to turn away from sin.

As we seek out God and do not stray from his commands, our lives change for the better. As we treasure his word and turn away from sin, we find peace and joy. All of this improves our relationship with God, growing closer to him. The better our relationship with God, the better we feel.

I pray we all pursue God with our whole heart. I pray we ask God to help us obey his commands. I pray each one of us will treasure God’s word in our heart and turn away from sin. Pursue God with your whole heart. Obey God’s commands. Treasure God’s word. Turn away from sin.

Psalm 119:10-11

With my whole heart I seek you; 

do not let me stray from your commandments. 

I treasure your word in my heart, 

so that I may not sin against you.

Teach Wisdom

Do you want your children to do well in life? Have you taught them well as they have grown up? Are you continuing to provide them advice or guidance? Are you mere providing them with data? Or are you teaching them wisdom? Are you teaching them to weigh the facts?

We begin teaching our children at a very young age. By the time they start crawling and walking, they should begin learning what good for them and what is harmful. Parents are to begin teaching them what is allowed and what is not. It is the beginning of learning discipline.

Children are curious and they are learning at a rapid rate throughout those first few years. Both their minds and their bodies are growing. They continue growing for several years physically and should continue to learn for the rest of their lives. This means each of us should continue to learn. As we learn, we pass our knowledge onto our children.

But knowledge alone does not make for good decisions nor a life lived well. For that to happen, we need wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to think through the facts and make a right judgment or decision. It includes a good sense of right and wrong, which begins being instilled at a very early age. Wisdom can be taught but often includes experience in the learning process. All of can continue to increase our wisdom by learning from the experiences of others, learning new facts, and continuing to think through them.

I pray we all decide to teach our children right from wrong. I pray we choose to teach our children think through the facts. I pray each one of us continue to learn and pursue wisdom. Teach your children right from wrong. Teach your children to think. Learn to think through the facts. Pursue wisdom.

Proverbs 4:10-11

Hear, my child, and accept my words, 

that the years of your life may be many. 

I have taught you the way of wisdom; 

I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

The Good Shepherd

Have you wondered or wished you had a guardian angel? Do you want someone who looks over you and keeps you safe? Have you searched for that person? Do you believe that person is your spouse or your parents? Would you believe there is someone who is looking out for your best interests?

Having someone be our shield, protector, and provider is not only nice but a requirement. We may not always think it is needed, but we are wrong when we think that way. We need someone who is continually looking out for us. We need someone who will run off the wolves who stalk us.

That someone is Jesus. He uses the analogy of being a good shepherd. It is one the people of the first century understood. The good shepherd guarded the sheep. He or she was constantly on the look out for predators. The good shepherd sought out abundant fields for the sheep to feed and clean water for them to drink. If a wolf or bear or lion came to prey on the sheep, the shepherd would fight them off to protect the sheep.

We have a Good Shepherd in Jesus. He continually seeks to shield, protect, and provide for us. However, just like the sheep, we sometimes wander away. We become the stray that has left the safety of the Good Shepherd. But He has not abandoned us. He will search for us and call us back. If needed, He will put us on His shoulders and carry us back to safety. When He does, He and the entire host of heaven will rejoice.

We are to listen for His voice. We are to know His voice. It takes practice. It requires us to focus on Him. But when we do, His call will be heard and will always find our way back to His open arms waiting to welcome us.

I pray we all listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. I pray we know He is continually our shield, protector, and provider. I pray each one of us will seek the safety of the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. Listen for the Good Shepherd. Know He is your protector. Know He is your provider. Know He laid down His life for you.

John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Power of Jesus

How many times have you thanked God for raising Jesus from the dead on the third day? I have done it more times than I can count. Do you believe God raised Him on the third day? What if it wasn’t the Father who raised Him, but He raised Himself? Would that be significant for you?

We often thank God for raising Jesus on the third day. Depending on our view of who God is, we are either incorrect or correct in our thinking. We believe in the Trinity. We believe God is one God made up of three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Belief in the Trinity is universal across Christianity. Unfortunately, when we think of God or say God, we are far too often thinking only of God the Father. We don’t think of the Son or the Holy Spirit. If we are only thinking of the Father when we are thankful God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day, then we are incorrect in our thinking.

Jesus tells us Himself that He had the power to take up His life again. Now, He also states that His authority came from the Father. Yet, it was not the Father who raised Him but Him raising Himself. That may sound illogical from our human point of view, but it is not according to God’s power. Since Jesus was both fully human and fully God, He could raise Himself up from the dead. His Spirit could raise His physical human body. We need to remember that the next time we thank God for raising Jesus from the dead.

I pray we all are thankful Jesus rose from the dead. I pray we are thankful He went to the cross for us. I pray each one of us will remember that Jesus had the power to raise Himself from the dead. Be thankful for Jesus. Be thankful He died for you. Be thankful He rose on the third day. Remember He has the power.

John 10:17-28 “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”