Good Shepherd

John 10 is a passage full of promise for a world ravaged by fear and anxiety. Our fears are often a direct result of our choice to forget the promises of God and reject His presence. The Good Shepherd illustration is about presence. That presence is the salvation of the sheep. The Good Shepherd does not abandon the sheep to the wolf, thief, or other preditor. The Good Shepherd (there is none good but God), stays with the sheep and this presence is the source of salvation. It's not about the green pastures, still waters or any other blessing. It's about the presence of the Shepherd. The task of the sheep is to listen to the voice of, and follow the lead of the shepherd. There are a lot of voices, most are just noise that intensifies the anxiety and fear. This voice brings assurance, hope, peace, life. It is the voice that shouted from Mt. Calvary. It is the still small voice that connects with the inner ear of mankind. It is the voice of truth, the voice of life. The Shepherd's presence is the promise of life for sheep. I'm learning to trust, listen to his voice, follow his lead, enjoy His presence. I am resisting the corrosive power of fear and anxiety as I rest in His love. Discovering the Good Shepherd is life giving.

Good Shepherd

John 10 is an incredible section of God's Word that is full of promise for mankind. Often our fears and anxieties are a result of our failure to embrace the promises of God. God's primary promise to us is about His presence. The Good Shepherd is a story about God's presence. The sheep need a shepherd to guide, protect, discipline, feed and lead. The presence of the shepherd is the savlation of the sheep. If the shepherd abandons the sheep, the wolf, thief or other preditor comes in and destroys. The Good Shepherd (there is none good but God) never abandons the sheep. His presence is the salvation for the sheep. The salvation is not in the green pastures, still waters or any other provision. The salvation is a result of God keeping His promise and providing His presence. Anxieties and fears subside when we learn to listen to the shepherd's voice and follow His lead. I'm learning to trust, listen to His voice, follow His lead, enjoy His presence and rest in His Almighty power. I am resisting the corrosive power of fear as I recognize His presence. Discovering the Good Shepherd is life giving (John 10:10).

FRUSTRATION

Sometimes I wonder who we are as the body of Christ. This past week the guy in Kansas that killed the abortion doctor was labeled by our news anchor as a 'born again Christian.' I was frustrated when I heard it. The man's own verbage had been frustrating. The last thing He is, is born again. He forgot that Jesus said love your enemies, and whoever thinks about killing someone is guilty of murder. Murdering doctors is no solution to abortion. I was frustrated when one of the talking heads of Christian television recently said God was punishing Haiti with the earthquake. I would think that Haiti is last on the list of needing punishment from God. What about America?! The same group said God was punishing America with the 911 attacks. Frustrating is probably not the best word, but it's a start. How will the world see Christ if this is the messasge that is heard. A born again Christian shoots a doctor in church?! A holy God who is seeking to redeem a lost world turns the most impoverished nation on planet earth up side down? Maybe God is frustrated also, but not with Haiti. How stupid can those who claim to know Him be? As His people we are called to live a life of love. When we do that, I believe the devil is frustrated. When we are truly loving, the nay-sayers against Christianity are silent. The guy in Kansas bought into the world's system of power and control-kill the enemy. The talking head bought into the world's system of hype and sensationalism. Holy Spirit help me to follow Jesus!