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About Those Sheep
copyright Millie Plastaras 9/02/04
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For You are with me. Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You prepare a place for 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. Psalm 23
We often hear in this modern society that people that follow a certain way of life, are just sheep. They are brainwashed and have no mind of their own. They are led about by their nose, following the leading of those who have brainwashed them. They seem to think being a sheep is a bad thing.
I am here to proclaim to you today the good news of Jesus Christ:
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward Him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Jesus was called the lamb (sheep) of God. His gentle loving nature was one that set an example that forever would ring of truth, nurturing love, great strength, and hope.
When someone calls me a sheep, I say hallelujah. I know God, I know His provision and I have met His son. I am a sheep in the flock of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Psalm 23 is a very interesting and hopeful part of the Bible. People should speak this out loud at least 3 times a day. It has such meaning. A lot of it not known to modern society.
Let me try to explain to you a lesson I heard many years ago about this Psalm that forever changed my thinking about the provision of our Great God.
The Lord is my shepherd... I shall not want.
A shepherd knows the needs of his sheep and provides those needs before they are even spoken. They are anticipated by the shepherd and provided for in advance.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
A sheep is very careful where they lay down. And a shepherd prepares the ground they lay on, so that no thorns or thistles will get in their wool. A shepherd prepares a place for His sheep to rest that is perfect and comfortable and safe.
He leads me besides still waters.
A sheep will not drink from moving water. A shepherd makes a dam with rocks or whatever is available so when the sheep goes to drink, the waters they so desperately need are calm and soothe the sheep. The shepherd knows how to calm the greatest disturbance and what the solution is.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake.
The shepherd knows just the perfect path. This is one thing the sheep don't need to concern themselves with. The shepherd knows the path, what to look for and how to get there. All the sheep have to do is move, and trust. They will be led in safety and peace to their destination.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me! Your rod and your staff will comfort me.
A shepherd knows that there will be dangers along his chosen path. There will be predators who long to kill the sheep, there will be rocks, and detours, and storms and many things yet to face. But the shepherd has made provisions for them. His rod will hold off any powers of darkness, or enemies, or predators or storms of life. His staff will draw us to him when we start to stray and bring us back into the fold where we are safe, and within His will.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
When the sheep need to eat, the shepherd prepares that place, just as he does their resting place. He knows there will be enemies around, but he chooses a place where he can watch over the whole flock. He makes sure that any poison thistles or dangerous plants are removed. And he makes sure it is a place where the sheep feel peaceful enough to relax and eat. The provision of the shepherd makes the meal even more precious and joyful.
You anoint my head with oil.
A sheep often gets cuts or skin problems. A shepherd will put soothing oil upon them to heal the sheep. The oil that heals and sustains and brings restoration. The shepherd knows exactly physical needs of each sheep. He knows them all by name, and knows each of their individual needs, and habits.
My cup runs over.
A sheep likes the water where it is easy to get to. So the water at an easy vantage point where it is easy to partake of reassures the sheep. The shepherd knows how to fill that sheep with the living water that will nurture its body and bring health. The shepherd is always aware of the depth of the water and any surroundings and dangers. He knows the sheep needs water to sustains it, and has great mercy towards that sheep, providing the water that will attract it most and make it feel comforted. Water that fills that thirst of a sheep on a long journey, till it is overflowing and sustaining in His body.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
For as long as that sheep is alive, the shepherd will give it good care and show mercy and love to it. The Bible says that those that follow the Lord will find mercy and strength. And that all the promises of the Lord's are their inheritance. His goodness and mercies are new every morning. His provision unlimited. His compassion never ending. His solutions and power all encompassing. All He is, is all we will ever need.
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The sheep knows the voice of His master. And when that sheep listens to the soothing comforting voice of the master, and follows his leading. He will make it home. He will find a path set before Him known by the shepherd. And he will find peace and comfort for his soul.
And the oil of the shepherd heals, and restores what has been bruised or broken.
The sheep only need to learn to trust. And rest in the provision of the Shepherd. And to be obedient, and listen to the powerful lessons the shepherd teaches it.
This then is a life of hope, victory, and a life lived well. A life with the Shepherd of our souls. Who will lead us all home.
Oh if we could only keep that in our hearts and minds daily and let it sustain us. Never again to worry or fear. But to cling to that Shepherd and know our sufficiency is from Him, not from anyone else. That our circumstances will not defeat us, our losses will not destroy us, our illness will not keep us down, our enemies will not be victorious and no one can take us out of the Shepherds care.
How truly blessed we are.
I am the Good Shepherd, The good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and my Father are One. John 10:11, 27-30
The Lord is my Shepherd.... I shall not want.
remember Only one life, will soon be past Only what is done, for Christ will last When you reach the end of your rope you will find the hem of His garment.
I have often felt that many things that bring us to our knees, teach us while we are down there to learn to pray. These possibilities are open to everyone. Don't tell God you are not good enough, do what He asks. Don't tell God to send someone else, He asked you. Don't tell God you don't have time to pray, He said seek me first. Don't neglect the things of God. He said we are to pick up His cross daily and follow Him. Don't tell God anything is bigger than His ability. God is the Great I Am, I am whatever you need.
There is no pit so deep, God's love is not deeper still.
Not my will but thine oh Lord.
´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·°°´·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°`·.,¸¸,.·´°
Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God |
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I am the Good Shepherd, The good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and my Father are One. John 10:11, 27-30
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