He lived out in the fields with his sheep so he came to know his sheep well. Even in the beginning of his service for Saul he still went back and forth to his flock. (Google image, Out to pasture)
David had the heart of a shepherd both for his sheep and later for his people as their shepherd-king. He risked his life when he faced a lion and later a bear to defend the flock (Sam. 17:34-36). He repeatedly risked his life fighting for his people.
So ideal was David the shepherd-king that in the prophecies of Christ's future reign as King, He is called David, i.e., a Shepherd-King life David (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23-24; Hos. 3:5). It is David the shepherd who describes God as our Divine Shepherd in Psalm 23. He outlines for us the shepherd-role which we should emulate.
THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES ABUNDANT
SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
"He makes me lie down in green pastures" (Ps. 23:2). Adequate spiritual food is a primary reason for needing a shepherd. Lying down suggests eating to satiety and then resting in satisfaction and blessing. The sheep that lies down in good pasture has all he desires.
Hungry sheep do not lie down; they go searching for more pasture. A church or group losing members is probably a church not being adequately fed. The spiritual diet may be true to the Bible, but something is lacking in quality of deep exposition and in variety of doctrinal teaching.
Or the seal of the Holy Spirit may not be strongly on the ministry. Anointed ministry constantly brings out things new and old. (Matt. 13:52); it is full of the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10). It provides rich, abundant food.
The leader or pastor who during his daily prayer and meditation constantly experiences the Holy Spirit revealing to him those things which "no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived," but which "God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor. 2:9) is himself feasting on the deep things of God as found in God's Word.
He is so thrilled and excited by the Spirit's illumination of the Word that he is anointed to preach or teach "by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven" (1 Peter 1:12).
When his people sense the holy thrill of God in his voice and the excited joy of the Spirit in his face as he unfolds God's great truths which the Spirit is making so real to him, they feast with him on the spiritual grapes of Eshcol and the milk and honey of Canaan.
People who are richly blessed week after week by the sense of God's feeding them through their shepherd become the best advertisement to invite other hungry people to come and be fed.
A surprising number of true Christians are unsatisfied with the ministry they receive and feel hungry and semi-starved on the spiritual diet they are given in their church. Are your people left still hungry after they hear you?
God has created us so that a spiritually alive Christian longs for rich spiritual food. Woe to the shepherd who does not know how to get deep and spiritually thrilling messages from God and His Word.
God always has a message for his people, and a real person of God who is diligent in prayer, Bible reading, and Bible study will be given God's message for the people week after week.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
#41 The Shepherd's Role
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 143-145) ZondervanPublishingHouse
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| Let's pray together |
Father, help us receive inspired instruction from Your Word, and by our fixing our eyes on Jesus, so we can grow more and more like Him.
We know that we need adequate spiritual food from our shepherds, so we pray that they'll take the time needed to be inspired and excited by the messages You'll give them for us.
May it be true that we'll be blessed week after week with Your feeding us through our shepherds, and may it also be true that our being fed causes other hungry people to come and be fed too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
We know that we need adequate spiritual food from our shepherds, so we pray that they'll take the time needed to be inspired and excited by the messages You'll give them for us.
May it be true that we'll be blessed week after week with Your feeding us through our shepherds, and may it also be true that our being fed causes other hungry people to come and be fed too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
1 Peter 1:4 (KJV) "Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust."
James 1:2-5 (NIV) "Count it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because
you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask
God, who gives generously to all without finding
fault, and it will be given to him."
1 Cor. 13:12 (NLT) "Now we see things imperfectly,
like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will
see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know
now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know
everything completely, just as God now knows
me completely."
1 Peter 1:4 (KJV) "Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust."
James 1:2-5 (NIV) "Count it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because
you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. (5) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask
God, who gives generously to all without finding
fault, and it will be given to him."
1 Cor. 13:12 (NLT) "Now we see things imperfectly,
like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will
see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know
now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know
everything completely, just as God now knows
me completely."
~ Dave Branon- "As we 'contemplate the Lord's glory,' by fixing our eyes on Jesus, we can grow more and more like Him. What an amazing thing it would be if people could observe us and say, 'I see Jesus in you'! (Taken from Our Daily Bread®, © 5/242018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. www.odb.org)
~ Jennifer Eivaz- "The praying Church overturns demonic plans, puts angels on assignment, cleanses atmospheres and creates conditions for the visible invasion of the Word of God into the nations. As spiritual kings and priests on the earth, it is our honor and privilege to govern our whole world through prayer." (p. 151, THE INTERCESSORS HANDBOOK).
Today's question-
As a Christian, what do you value the most?
There are many advantages of being a child of God. The main ones, no doubt in many hearts and minds are forgiveness of our sins, and the promise of heaven and all it holds for us!
As we study the Scriptures, hear anointed messages from our pastor/shepherds, as well as our personal Bible study, we see more and more the love of God demonstrated.
All throughout the Old Testament, we have what is called "shadows" of the Lord Jesus, pointing to Him Who was to come. Knowing that He's to return for His Bride anytime soon, the faithful believers are prompted to obey the Holy Spirit's guidance, so many more folks will yet be saved. We're each to do our part, whatever that may be.
As a Christian, what do you value the most?
There are many advantages of being a child of God. The main ones, no doubt in many hearts and minds are forgiveness of our sins, and the promise of heaven and all it holds for us!
As we study the Scriptures, hear anointed messages from our pastor/shepherds, as well as our personal Bible study, we see more and more the love of God demonstrated.
All throughout the Old Testament, we have what is called "shadows" of the Lord Jesus, pointing to Him Who was to come. Knowing that He's to return for His Bride anytime soon, the faithful believers are prompted to obey the Holy Spirit's guidance, so many more folks will yet be saved. We're each to do our part, whatever that may be.
Upcoming posts-
#42 The Shepherd Leads Constantly to Spiritual Refreshment
5th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Thoughts and Prayers are Nice, But . . .
7th- Saturday's post by Ron Hutchcraft
#43 The Shepherd Aids Spiritual Restoration
10th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#44 The Shepherd Must Give Guidance to His People
12th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
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| Spring flowers |
Jean's published book Paper back $7.95
(Be sure to "look inside" to see contents
through the 2nd devotion)
through the 2nd devotion)
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