Friday, September 8, 2017

“I Am the Good Shepherd”

Image result for i am the good shepherd,Warner Sallman painting
http://www.warnerpress.org/category/180_1/
Warner_Sallman_Art_Collection

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father,
 and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:14-15 (ESV)

                Jesus tells us that one of His roles is that of a Shepherd. He then gives us a job description of what being a good shepherd entails.
            He puts himself in danger to protect his flock. A hired hand wouldn’t do this.

            The sheep know his voice and will follow him. If the sheep don’t know the shepherd, they will run away.
           
            A good shepherd goes to all extremes to protect those of his sheepfold. Even placing himself (or herself) in danger to rescue one of his charges.

            The Lord Jesus tells us that a hired person will not look after the sheep as closely as their owner. We see this thought carried out in our modern world. In the marketplace, the good employees are a blessing to those who patronize their stores. Lately, I have seen both good employees and not so good employees.    

               We can only pray for those who rankle our nerves that God will make them better representatives. God tells us to pray for those who spitefully use us. We also need to pray that God will remold us and make us into better servants for His kingdom.



Thursday, September 7, 2017

“I Am the Door”




mysaviorspeaks.com/2015/04/

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved
 and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:9 (ESV)

                Jesus Christ explains to his listeners that there is only one way to reach God and to enter heaven; that way is through Him and Him alone.

            In our world, we see buildings with doors and windows. Doors are present in order to allow desired people in and, when necessary, to keep unwanted people out.  Looters and robbers climb through windows in order to gain entry to buildings and homes where they do their questionable deeds.
           
            Jesus tells that if anyone enters the fold via any way other than through Him, that person is a robber and a thief.

            A song, actually its chorus, from years past comes to mind. The words are simple and yet meaningful. “So high, can’t go over it; so wide, can’t go around it so low can’t go under it; you have to go through the door.  I found the lyrics to the song. (Lyrics by the Bishops)
   Well don't you know it’s so high (so high) you can't get over it?

So low (so low) you can't get under it
So wide (so wide) you can't get around it
You must come in at the door
So high (so high) you can't get over it
So low (so low) you can't get under it.
So wide (so wide) you can't get around it
You must come in at the door

Well, you can't get there by walking
And you can't get there by land
Now if you want to get to Heaven at all
You must go hand in hand.
And you can't get there by walking
And you can't get there by air.

Now if you want to see Heaven at all
You must go there by prayer.

So high (so high) you can't get over it
So low (so low) you can't get under it.
So wide (so wide) you can't get around it
You must come in at the door

Well, Rebecca she said she saw Him
Come riding up in the air
Well it was so high you couldn't get over
The Bible does declare.
Brother Jonah in the bottom of the deep blue sea.
In the belly of the whale he stopped.
Well he was so low he couldn't get under
He had to come to the top
So high (so high) you can't get over it
So low (so low) you can't get under it.
So wide (so wide) you can't get around it
You must come in at the door

Now old Pharaoh he drove those children
Across the wide sea and he found
That it was so wide he couldn't get around
So he went right through and drowned
Now I told you folks how hard it was
I made it plain to see
So if you want to get o Heaven at all
Come on and follow me

So high (so high) you can't get over it
So low (so low) you can't get under it.
So wide (so wide) you can't get around it
You must come in at the door
So high (so high) you can't get over it
So low (so low) you can't get under it.
So wide (so wide) you can't get around it
You must come in at the door



God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...