Day 1 ... Sometimes life can be like a wilderness. Isn't it wonderful to know that we don't have to walk through our "wilderness" alone. Our devotions this week have a few questions in them. You can answer the questions by filling in the blanks or you can just think and reflect on the questions without writing...the important thing isn't the writing...it's the thinking. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want..." Psalm 23:1
Here in Texas we see a lot of cows, but we don’t see many sheep…at least where I come from. Maybe you know a little about sheep…not me…so I did some research. It didn’t take long to learn that sheep just can't make it on their own. I mean really! If they don’t have a shepherd they are history.
Back in the ancient Bible days, sheep needed a shepherd just as much as they do now. Without a shepherd they would fall off cliffs, drown in wadis (a wadi is a narrow canyon that is dry except for in the rainy season…then it’s full of roaring water), they would be eaten for supper by jackals or leopards. Sheep depended on their shepherd for everything...I mean everything...because…now pay attention here…sheep are pretty dumb critters. And to be a sheep…in the wilderness…without a shepherd…it just didn’t get much more dangerous than that.
Life is a lot like that for us...and like the sheep we just can't make it on our own. We need a shepherd.
Does your world ever feel like a dangerous wilderness?
When the going gets rough and dangerous do you have a loving shepherd that you follow? If you do...think about how it helps.
If you don't...think about what it would be like to have a loving shepherd lead you.
During the day the sheep would follow their shepherd...but as it became night the shepherd would walk with his sheep…right there…next to them. They knew he was there. They could hear his voice and they felt calmer…safer. At night he would lead them to their sheepfold and then he would lie down in front of the gate. He guarded them through the night and kept them safe.
I have a Good Shepherd…and he is with me through each day and night. When the "night" comes...you know... those really tough, hard times that we all go through...the times when we can't see our way... what we need most is to find our shepherd and be comforted by his presence. He's always there, calling, waiting, for us to follow Him. He is my shepherd…and I am his sheep.
Let’s read Mark 6:34 (Jesus compares a group of people to sheep).
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34
Jesus knew the people were like sheep without a shepherd...and just like Jesus felt compassion for them...he feels that same compassion for you and for me. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Jesus feels compassion for you and me. There is a Shepherd…all we have to do is choose to follow him.
Good for you...you finished Day 1. It didn't take that long did it? As I drift off to sleep tonight, I am going to think about my Shepherd, Jesus... guarding the gate to keep me safe while I sleep. What a loving God we serve.
Day 2 ... One thing we have in common with sheep is that we get hungry each day. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures;" Psalm 23:2
The pastures of Israel are definitively not like the knee-deep lush, green fields of Ireland. They don't look like pastures at all. They look like rocky, barren hillsides. Have you ever hunted for Easter eggs? Well that is what it is like looking for grass in the wilderness. It's there but it's scattered amidst the rocks. The sheep would starve without the shepherd to find enough grass for them each day.
Somehow when I was growing up I never pictured sheep grazing in the wilderness…but that is exactly what they do. The fertile land in Israel is used to grow crops. Sheep graze in the wilderness…or on the edge of the wilderness. That puts a whole new picture on so much of the shepherd language in the Old Testament. Talk about trust! Every day the shepherd would have to find the grass for the sheep and then lead them there. And the next day he would do the same. And the next. And the next. It was a daily reliance on the shepherd for their very survival…what an incredible picture.
As followers of Jesus, God wants us to trust Him day by day. The Good Shepherd doesn't promise us a life that is problem free, but he will give us the green grass we need for this moment...for this day. Do we really trust Him?
I know that there are times when worry and despair seem to wash over me. When was the last time you were filled with worry about tomorrow? We have a shepherd…and we can trust him. We just have to remember that he IS REAL…and that we can follow him. In Matthew chapter 6 we find the "Lord's Prayer"...some of you may know it as the "Our Father". In verse 11 Jesus talks about each day's need for bread.
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
Are we told to ask for monthly bread, weekly bread...or daily bread?
God so wants us to bring our worry to Him. It is a daily walk...a daily relationship. You may not see it now, but a new tuft of grass will always be there in the morning. He really is our Shepherd.
Good for you! You finished Day 2. When you wake in the morning the Shepherd will be right there with you.
Day 3 ... There is one thing we need each day even more than food. That's right...water! Now I know some of you say you don't drink water...but you do...just look on your soft drink label...see there it is...water. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3
Ok...let's pretend...it's 5:30pm Friday afternoon and you’re at Wal-Mart...(I know your smarter than to go to Wal-Mart at 5:30pm on Friday but it's pretend) and you've been in the checkout line for 45 minutes...it's hot...you're tired...you're thirsty...you reach for a bottle of water (Coke, Dr. Pepper etc.) and just as you pick up your bottle the entire drink machine jumps off the ground and body slams you to the ground. Not a pretty picture is it. Aren’t you glad this was only pretend!
What do you believe is the most frequent cause of death in the wilderness? Did I hear you say starvation, thirst…maybe heat stroke? Would you believe that that most wilderness deaths happen because of floods? That's right...drowning in the desert. The sky can be clear, the sun shining, and suddenly a wall of water can roar through the narrow canyon. Anyone in the wadi will be washed away. That is what can happen to a sheep who finds his own water without the shepherd. Instead of getting a drink he is slammed to the ground and swept away.
It seems that people are so thirsty today…and they don’t always drink safe water…sometimes they try to quench their thirst with money, people, and business. And then there are those that stand in the middle of the wadi…while the flash flood siren is blaring…and quench their thirst on sex outside of marriage, drugs, alcohol. There is no quicker way to drown. Dangerous waters...safe waters...the choices are ours.
What are some of the "waters" people are thirsting for today?
Only our Shepherd knows what waters are safe for us to drink. There is a part of every person on earth that is empty or "thirsty" for God. I want you to read Psalm 63:1-8. It was written in the wilderness. If you have ever been really, really, thirsty try to think of that time when you read these verses.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want..." Psalm 23:1
Here in Texas we see a lot of cows, but we don’t see many sheep…at least where I come from. Maybe you know a little about sheep…not me…so I did some research. It didn’t take long to learn that sheep just can't make it on their own. I mean really! If they don’t have a shepherd they are history.
Back in the ancient Bible days, sheep needed a shepherd just as much as they do now. Without a shepherd they would fall off cliffs, drown in wadis (a wadi is a narrow canyon that is dry except for in the rainy season…then it’s full of roaring water), they would be eaten for supper by jackals or leopards. Sheep depended on their shepherd for everything...I mean everything...because…now pay attention here…sheep are pretty dumb critters. And to be a sheep…in the wilderness…without a shepherd…it just didn’t get much more dangerous than that.
Life is a lot like that for us...and like the sheep we just can't make it on our own. We need a shepherd.
Does your world ever feel like a dangerous wilderness?
When the going gets rough and dangerous do you have a loving shepherd that you follow? If you do...think about how it helps.
If you don't...think about what it would be like to have a loving shepherd lead you.
During the day the sheep would follow their shepherd...but as it became night the shepherd would walk with his sheep…right there…next to them. They knew he was there. They could hear his voice and they felt calmer…safer. At night he would lead them to their sheepfold and then he would lie down in front of the gate. He guarded them through the night and kept them safe.
I have a Good Shepherd…and he is with me through each day and night. When the "night" comes...you know... those really tough, hard times that we all go through...the times when we can't see our way... what we need most is to find our shepherd and be comforted by his presence. He's always there, calling, waiting, for us to follow Him. He is my shepherd…and I am his sheep.
Let’s read Mark 6:34 (Jesus compares a group of people to sheep).
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34
Jesus knew the people were like sheep without a shepherd...and just like Jesus felt compassion for them...he feels that same compassion for you and for me. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Jesus feels compassion for you and me. There is a Shepherd…all we have to do is choose to follow him.
Good for you...you finished Day 1. It didn't take that long did it? As I drift off to sleep tonight, I am going to think about my Shepherd, Jesus... guarding the gate to keep me safe while I sleep. What a loving God we serve.
Day 2 ... One thing we have in common with sheep is that we get hungry each day. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures;" Psalm 23:2
The pastures of Israel are definitively not like the knee-deep lush, green fields of Ireland. They don't look like pastures at all. They look like rocky, barren hillsides. Have you ever hunted for Easter eggs? Well that is what it is like looking for grass in the wilderness. It's there but it's scattered amidst the rocks. The sheep would starve without the shepherd to find enough grass for them each day.
Somehow when I was growing up I never pictured sheep grazing in the wilderness…but that is exactly what they do. The fertile land in Israel is used to grow crops. Sheep graze in the wilderness…or on the edge of the wilderness. That puts a whole new picture on so much of the shepherd language in the Old Testament. Talk about trust! Every day the shepherd would have to find the grass for the sheep and then lead them there. And the next day he would do the same. And the next. And the next. It was a daily reliance on the shepherd for their very survival…what an incredible picture.
As followers of Jesus, God wants us to trust Him day by day. The Good Shepherd doesn't promise us a life that is problem free, but he will give us the green grass we need for this moment...for this day. Do we really trust Him?
I know that there are times when worry and despair seem to wash over me. When was the last time you were filled with worry about tomorrow? We have a shepherd…and we can trust him. We just have to remember that he IS REAL…and that we can follow him. In Matthew chapter 6 we find the "Lord's Prayer"...some of you may know it as the "Our Father". In verse 11 Jesus talks about each day's need for bread.
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
Are we told to ask for monthly bread, weekly bread...or daily bread?
God so wants us to bring our worry to Him. It is a daily walk...a daily relationship. You may not see it now, but a new tuft of grass will always be there in the morning. He really is our Shepherd.
Good for you! You finished Day 2. When you wake in the morning the Shepherd will be right there with you.
Day 3 ... There is one thing we need each day even more than food. That's right...water! Now I know some of you say you don't drink water...but you do...just look on your soft drink label...see there it is...water. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3
Ok...let's pretend...it's 5:30pm Friday afternoon and you’re at Wal-Mart...(I know your smarter than to go to Wal-Mart at 5:30pm on Friday but it's pretend) and you've been in the checkout line for 45 minutes...it's hot...you're tired...you're thirsty...you reach for a bottle of water (Coke, Dr. Pepper etc.) and just as you pick up your bottle the entire drink machine jumps off the ground and body slams you to the ground. Not a pretty picture is it. Aren’t you glad this was only pretend!
What do you believe is the most frequent cause of death in the wilderness? Did I hear you say starvation, thirst…maybe heat stroke? Would you believe that that most wilderness deaths happen because of floods? That's right...drowning in the desert. The sky can be clear, the sun shining, and suddenly a wall of water can roar through the narrow canyon. Anyone in the wadi will be washed away. That is what can happen to a sheep who finds his own water without the shepherd. Instead of getting a drink he is slammed to the ground and swept away.
It seems that people are so thirsty today…and they don’t always drink safe water…sometimes they try to quench their thirst with money, people, and business. And then there are those that stand in the middle of the wadi…while the flash flood siren is blaring…and quench their thirst on sex outside of marriage, drugs, alcohol. There is no quicker way to drown. Dangerous waters...safe waters...the choices are ours.
What are some of the "waters" people are thirsting for today?
Only our Shepherd knows what waters are safe for us to drink. There is a part of every person on earth that is empty or "thirsty" for God. I want you to read Psalm 63:1-8. It was written in the wilderness. If you have ever been really, really, thirsty try to think of that time when you read these verses.
Psalm 63 A Psalm of David When he was in the Desert of Judah.
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; withsinging lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right handupholds me. Psalm 63:1-8
In verse 5 the writer says "My soul will be satisfied..." Isn't that what just about everyone you know is searching for....they may be looking in the wrong places...but they want to get to a place where there is no anguish, worry, rejection, or pain. Maybe you can tell someone about that verse this week...someone who is really searching for satisfaction and peace...someone who needs a shepherd.
Good for You! You finished Day 3. I can think of nothing safer…warmer…than to sing in the shadow of his wings...thank you Lord.
Day 4... Do you remember in school when you had to walk in a straight line? No talking, no pushing...keep your hands to yourself...don't get out of line! Remember those kids who just couldn't do it? Sheep and Goats...a lot like walking in line at school. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Psalm 23:3
Did you know that sheep always travel in a straight line? Sounds good doesn't it. Well the bad thing is that they will not walk around a dangerous obstacle...even if it is a steep cliff...they will just fall straight down. That is why the shepherd guides them...to keep them safe.
In Hebrew the same word that is used for "straight" is used for "righteousness". The "straight paths" for the shepherd were the "paths of righteousness" mentioned in Psalm 23. Did you know that God is leading you down a straight sheep path? The question is...are we following?
Most people don’t know that most of the shepherds are children. There is usually an over-shepherd…maybe the father…standing up high on a hill overlooking the flock. And then there are the under-shepherds…usually children. The shepherd children love their sheep. They know their personalities, and their likes and dislikes. When the sheep begin to wander from the flock, the shepherds gently throw stones to one side or the other to guide the sheep back to the flock.
Has God ever had to gently throw a stone to get you back on the path?
If the shepherd's flock were all sheep, their job would be fairly easy…but it’s not…there are also goats. Goats have a mind of their own. They get out of line. They wander away from the "paths of righteousness" and get in to trouble. They try to lead the flock away. They break up flocks. If your flock has more goats than sheep…well…your flock is in big trouble.
It is really important to never... ever... follow a goat. Have you ever known a goat? Have you ever been a goat?
If you've known a goat you are not alone...if you have been a goat you are not alone. God can turn a goat into a sheep...it's his specialty. We pray... ask forgiveness...dwell in his word...give total commitment to the Shepherd...God's formula for turning a goat into a sheep.
Bible teacher, Ray Vander Laan says that as Christians, we are often called to be leaders...maybe of a Sunday school class, or our family, or people we are over at work...really our flock is anyone we have influence over. In each of these "flocks", we will have both sheep and goats. Our sheep bring us joy and we are thankful. They have obedient hearts and aren't too difficult to guide back to the right path...But those goats are a different story. They are not easy...they bring sorrow and strife. They insist on doing everything the difficult way and they just don't seem to learn, even when the discipline seems harsh. A shepherd can spend 90 percent of his time on 20 percent of his flock.
Remember, as Christians, we all are part of God's flock. If we lose sight of the Shepherd, we risk leading our own flocks into great danger. If you act like a goat and cannot follow, can you expect anything different from your flock?
Let’s look at John 10:2-5.
The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger. John 10:2-5
Some questions to think about...Do you know the voice of your Shepherd? Does your "flock" know your voice? Where will you lead them?
Good for you! You finished Day 4. Some serious things to think about today...I am glad that I don't have to figure it all out. One day God will separate the sheep from the goats...I just want to make sure that I'm a sheep!
Day 5... Today we walk through the valley...Did you know that in God's Word the valley is where the battles were fought? That’s right…a group on one mountain and a group on another mountain…with a valley in between. They both want the valley...they both can't have the valley...they fight and one group wins and the other loses. Battle valleys. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
Remember the wadis...the deep narrow canyons with very steep sides...that can flood without notice. This is probably the image of the valley that the Psalm writer was talking about. Imagine being a sheep and walking through a dark canyon like this. Sometimes this is where the sheep have to walk. It sure would help to have your shepherd near.
Sometimes it seems as if darkness will go on forever. That is when we need the shepherd the most. When the sheep are in danger the shepherd goes straight the middle of the flock…and he calls out to them. Did you know that they hear his voice and that they know it? Did you know that he knows each of them by name?
As we spend time with our Shepherd each day…dwelling in his presence…living in his word…we will hear and know his voice too. When we are in danger we will know that we are not alone…he is with us.
One of my favorite names for God is Almighty. It is the Lord God Almighty who is with us in the valley. Let’s read a Psalm 91:1-8 together…it is a beautiful Psalm of protection.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:1-8
We dwell in the shelter of the_____?
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right handupholds me. Psalm 63:1-8
In verse 5 the writer says "My soul will be satisfied..." Isn't that what just about everyone you know is searching for....they may be looking in the wrong places...but they want to get to a place where there is no anguish, worry, rejection, or pain. Maybe you can tell someone about that verse this week...someone who is really searching for satisfaction and peace...someone who needs a shepherd.
Good for You! You finished Day 3. I can think of nothing safer…warmer…than to sing in the shadow of his wings...thank you Lord.
Day 4... Do you remember in school when you had to walk in a straight line? No talking, no pushing...keep your hands to yourself...don't get out of line! Remember those kids who just couldn't do it? Sheep and Goats...a lot like walking in line at school. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Psalm 23:3
Did you know that sheep always travel in a straight line? Sounds good doesn't it. Well the bad thing is that they will not walk around a dangerous obstacle...even if it is a steep cliff...they will just fall straight down. That is why the shepherd guides them...to keep them safe.
In Hebrew the same word that is used for "straight" is used for "righteousness". The "straight paths" for the shepherd were the "paths of righteousness" mentioned in Psalm 23. Did you know that God is leading you down a straight sheep path? The question is...are we following?
Most people don’t know that most of the shepherds are children. There is usually an over-shepherd…maybe the father…standing up high on a hill overlooking the flock. And then there are the under-shepherds…usually children. The shepherd children love their sheep. They know their personalities, and their likes and dislikes. When the sheep begin to wander from the flock, the shepherds gently throw stones to one side or the other to guide the sheep back to the flock.
Has God ever had to gently throw a stone to get you back on the path?
If the shepherd's flock were all sheep, their job would be fairly easy…but it’s not…there are also goats. Goats have a mind of their own. They get out of line. They wander away from the "paths of righteousness" and get in to trouble. They try to lead the flock away. They break up flocks. If your flock has more goats than sheep…well…your flock is in big trouble.
It is really important to never... ever... follow a goat. Have you ever known a goat? Have you ever been a goat?
If you've known a goat you are not alone...if you have been a goat you are not alone. God can turn a goat into a sheep...it's his specialty. We pray... ask forgiveness...dwell in his word...give total commitment to the Shepherd...God's formula for turning a goat into a sheep.
Bible teacher, Ray Vander Laan says that as Christians, we are often called to be leaders...maybe of a Sunday school class, or our family, or people we are over at work...really our flock is anyone we have influence over. In each of these "flocks", we will have both sheep and goats. Our sheep bring us joy and we are thankful. They have obedient hearts and aren't too difficult to guide back to the right path...But those goats are a different story. They are not easy...they bring sorrow and strife. They insist on doing everything the difficult way and they just don't seem to learn, even when the discipline seems harsh. A shepherd can spend 90 percent of his time on 20 percent of his flock.
Remember, as Christians, we all are part of God's flock. If we lose sight of the Shepherd, we risk leading our own flocks into great danger. If you act like a goat and cannot follow, can you expect anything different from your flock?
Let’s look at John 10:2-5.
The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger. John 10:2-5
Some questions to think about...Do you know the voice of your Shepherd? Does your "flock" know your voice? Where will you lead them?
Good for you! You finished Day 4. Some serious things to think about today...I am glad that I don't have to figure it all out. One day God will separate the sheep from the goats...I just want to make sure that I'm a sheep!
Day 5... Today we walk through the valley...Did you know that in God's Word the valley is where the battles were fought? That’s right…a group on one mountain and a group on another mountain…with a valley in between. They both want the valley...they both can't have the valley...they fight and one group wins and the other loses. Battle valleys. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
Remember the wadis...the deep narrow canyons with very steep sides...that can flood without notice. This is probably the image of the valley that the Psalm writer was talking about. Imagine being a sheep and walking through a dark canyon like this. Sometimes this is where the sheep have to walk. It sure would help to have your shepherd near.
Sometimes it seems as if darkness will go on forever. That is when we need the shepherd the most. When the sheep are in danger the shepherd goes straight the middle of the flock…and he calls out to them. Did you know that they hear his voice and that they know it? Did you know that he knows each of them by name?
As we spend time with our Shepherd each day…dwelling in his presence…living in his word…we will hear and know his voice too. When we are in danger we will know that we are not alone…he is with us.
One of my favorite names for God is Almighty. It is the Lord God Almighty who is with us in the valley. Let’s read a Psalm 91:1-8 together…it is a beautiful Psalm of protection.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:1-8
We dwell in the shelter of the_____?
We abide in the shadow of the _______?
The image is this...
You are standing in the shadow of a mountain (threatening obstacle) but God Almighty is standing on top of that mountain. You are no longer in the mountain's shadow...you are now in God Almighty's shadow...because he is overshadowing the mountain. The Psalm writer says he knows our name...what a thought.
In many ways each one of us is a "battle valley". Satan stands on one mountain and God stands on the other mountain...and we are in the middle. The battle is for our soul. Each one of us gets to choose who occupies the valley...who gets our fertile ground. Jesus paid a tremendous price to win this battle for us...but he does not force His victory on us...we have to ask for it. We have to ask for the free gift of salvation and turn from our sins.
After receiving that free gift there is still another battle to be won. It is for our heart and our devotion. Do you want Jesus just so you can stay out of Hell…or do you want to give God your all? Do you want to let God sit in the driver’s seat and let yourself become the passenger? Do you truly want to be lead down His straight paths? Let him fill you with His Spirit and let Him change the self-centered heart into a God-centered heart...what a difference it makes in the Wilderness. Let him continue to fill you with His Spirit…it’s part of the daily bread.
Good for you! You finished Day 5. As I drift off to sleep tonight, I am going to think of the mountains…and the valleys…and my heart. Thank you Jesus…for going to battle for me.
Day 6...We will finish Psalm 23 today and think about the wilderness, and the acacia tree...that's right we are sheep and we are also to be like a tree...God keeps it simple to help us remember and to understand. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on these verses.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:5-6
Don't you love it when you read a good book and it has a happy ending! This Psalm has a really happy ending for the little sheep that is following the shepherd. He finds grass, water, safety, comfort and he can survive even with enemies surrounding him.
Do you have any enemies? How do you treat them?
God's word talks about people that treat us wrong or sin against us...Lets see what it says. First of all there are two types of people....unbelievers and believers...people who are not Christians and people who are our brothers in Christ. Would you believe Jesus tells us to handle them each in a different way. Let’s look at Matthew 5:39.
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39
What does Jesus tell us to do when an unbeliever (evil man) slaps us on the cheek?
Yep...that's where the saying came from...turn the other cheek. Now read let’s look at a few more verses.
"And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (just as a footnote...rain is a good thing...it helps crops to grow...so God is saying he does good things for the righteous and unrighteous)
"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect (complete) , therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (complete)." Matthew 5:39-48
This is how we are to treat an "unsaved" enemy. Do you have any unsaved enemies?
What about our brothers and sisters in Christ...are they ever our enemies? There definitely can be problems in our churches...remember the sheep and the goats? Let’s look up Matthew 18:15.
“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Matthew 18:15
If our brother (that is someone who is within our Church) sins what are we to do? Do we turn the other cheek? Jesus tells us to do something totally different than before.
There are three steps.
Step 1 - “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” Matthew 18:15
Step 2 - “But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’” Matthew 18:16
Step 3 - “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “ Matthew 18:19
Remember the sheep and the goats...these steps were given to keep the goats from leading the sheep away and breaking up the flock. What if our "brother" asks for forgiveness...which is the goal of these three steps. Does that mean that we can hold grudges against our brothers in Christ when they have sinned? Let's see....
Right after these verses one of Jesus disciples named Peter asks Jesus how often we are to forgive the brother who has sinned against us? What does Jesus tell him? Look in Matthew 18:21-22.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22
How many times? Wow!
There is one more thing we have to look at before we go confront a sinning brother....Let’s look at Matthew 7:3-5
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Matthew 7:3-5
What does Jesus tell us to do before we go talk to a sinning brother?
That's right...we have to check our own eyes for logs. Even in confrontation, reconciliation is the ultimate goal. Do you think it is easy or hard to follow the shepherd in these instructions? I think most of us would say it is not easy. It's hard to confront a sinning brother and it is hard to turn the other cheek to an "evil" unsaved man. That is why we have to spend time with the shepherd...we can't do all of these hard things on our own.
Before we go, let's think for a few minutes about the acacia tree. If we are following Christ we are living in a wilderness and we won't really be in a garden until we receive our reward in Heaven. The acacia tree of the wilderness has deep roots...seeking water...can take the heat...can take the cold...doesn't get knocked down and swept away by a wall of water. God’s word tells us that we can be like this tree.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Psalm 1:3
This wilderness tree has roots that go down to the water. It flourishes in the desert.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched...For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:2
Good for you...You finished Day 6. I want to be like the wilderness tree...I want my roots to go down so deep into God's love...and his word...that nothing can knock me over. He is my shepherd...I am his lamb...oh how I love my Shepherd.
Never forget...you are Sought After.
Until next time,
Cynthia
If you want to dig a little deeper...
Shepherd Lifestyle - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1658
Water for the Sheep - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1659
Feeding the Flock - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1660
Watching the Flock - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1661
Sheep Paths - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1662
Sheep or Goat - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=2010
Wadis - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1572
Faith Lesson – The Lord is My Shepherd
Water for the Sheep - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1659
Feeding the Flock - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1660
Watching the Flock - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1661
Sheep Paths - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1662
Sheep or Goat - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=2010
Wadis - http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1572
Faith Lesson – The Lord is My Shepherd
Part 1: The Wilderness http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageAD=1779
