Shepherd and Pastures…
When do we really begin believing the Word of God as written in the Holy Bible?
What does God say in our quiet time? What should we ask Him during our quiet time? When should quiet time be?
The Lord is my Shepherd
I shall not want – Psalms 23:1 NKJB
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We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
One of the most well known phrases, of any kind, the world over. My guess is people in remote areas around the world have heard these words, yet, do people accept them at face value?
Jesus Christ places great emphasis on the shepherd, and His sheep, who leads out of the fold, calls them, individually, by name to which they responded to Him and Him alone because they know His voice.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:2-4 NKJB
Do we know His voice and do we follow when He calls?
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. – Psalms 23:2 NKJB
That sounds like Jesus Christ, the shepherd, has our best interest at heart and means us no harm under any circumstance. When do we accept this as truth?
We know and understand – if we have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ – that it is His voice no one else. We will not follow any other voice because we do not know the other voice.
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ~John 10:5 NKJB
So, if the God who speaks, speaks to us, we know, by His Words, He means us no harm. This would mean that He intends only good for us. This would be a great way of knowing His voice versus a strangers voice. If God speaks to us and tells us that green pastures and still waters are in this direction why wouldn’t we follow?
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 NKJB
The shepherd is not interested in harming us in any shape, form or fashion. The shepherd only wants us to follow Him, and Him alone, for the very reason that He means us no harm and wants only the very best for us – “For His name’s sake“. He only wants us to taste victory.
- called us by name – by our true Christ identity
- lead us by His living, breathing Word – green pastures and still waters
- protected us from harm – don’t follow strangers
- provided shelter from evil – the strangers voice
Jesus Christ has now prepared us to leave our sin behind. Confess, repent and make amends…
Now, will we follow Him and throw off our sin?
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever. ~Psalms 23:4-6 NKJB
Either the Gospel is the divine Word of God teaching us how to live and how to be a reflection of Him, or it’s nothing more than a historical account of events.