False Shepherds Out For Themselves

John 10:7-10 KJV; Jesus is the only door to the Kingdom of God. Follow him!

The Lord Will Seek Out His Sheep

Ezekiel 34:11-24 KJV; 14th Sunday after Pentecost; The Lord, the Good Shepherd knows you and will seek you out. He will save you even as He will judge those who persecute you.

Listen To His Voice

John 10:22-30 KJV; 4th Sunday of Easter; The sheep hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and listen to him.

The Lord Is Our Shepherd

Psalm 23 KJV; #4th Sunday of Easter; The Lord is our shepherd. He is with us always.

Good Shepherd

John 10:9-13 KJV; Jesus the Good Shepherd. Follow Him.

Freedom And Democracy

1 Peter 2:15-26 KJV; Serve the Lord in the freedom that was purchased for you by the Good Shepherd Jesus the Christ.

Fake Shepherds

Jeremiah 23:1-6 KJV; 9th Sunday after Pentecost; May the Lord change the hearts of false pastors who serve only for their own glory.

Wisdom To Follow The Good Shepherd

John 10:11-18 KJV; 4th Sunday of Easter; The Good Shepherd seeks you. Follow him and beware of wolves in sheep's clothing.

Yay! The Lord Is My Shepherd!

Psalm 23 KJV; 4th Sunday of Easter; Yes! Jesus is our shepherd!!

Hope Is Found In The Good Shepherd Not The World

1st Sunday In Advent; If you're looking for hope, joy, peace; look for them in the way the Good Shepherd leads not in the ways of the world.

The Good Shepherd Seeks You Out

Ezekiel 34:11-16 KJV; Psalm 23: You cannot hide in the darkness from the Good Shepherd. He will seek you out and save you.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23 KJV; 20th Sunday after Pentecost: The Shepherd's Psalm a prayer of affirmation that the Good Shepherd is with us.

The Good Shepherd

Psalm 23 KJV; 4th Sunday of Easter; The Shepherd's Psalm. The good shepherd is with us always.

The Good Shepherd Saves The Sheep

John 10:11; Watching over the sheep can be a lonely job as he seeks to protect and save the sheep.

The Good Shepherd Gives His Life For His Sheep

John 10:11-18 KJV; The false shepherds run when wolves approach; but, the Good Shepherd stays and protects the sheep. He even lays down his own life for them.

Help Us To Be More Like The Good Shepherd!

John 10:14-15 KJV; Advent can be a very depressing time for many. Help us to be more like Jesus the Good Shepherd who cares for all in need.

Jesus Seeks Out His Flock

Ezekiel 34:11-15; 22-24; Psalm 23 KJV The Shepherd seeks out his flock. That good shepherd is Jesus.

Shepherd Of Our Souls

John 10:22-30 KJV

Caring For Others

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.." John 10:14-15 KJV

The secular world has made Advent into a happy time; a time to celebrate. But, for many it is not so. It is a time when many are drawn to thoughts of loved ones who are no longer with them. The empty chair at the table draws them into even deeper sadness. This year many of our elderly have been imprisoned in nursing homes and long term care units. They are not allowed company. They are totally alone. Many families will take out "Christmas" loans, if they can get one, in order to provide their children with gifts simply because this is the tradition of the world. They do not want to disappoint their children and so they will go even deeper into debt so as not to disappoint them on Christmas morning. Did I mention the parties? No? Hmmm.... Well, the trouble that comes from all that "Christmas Cheer" speaks for itself. More trouble... More depression... More loneliness... More divorces... More deaths and empty chairs to grieve over during the next Advent and Christmas seasons.

Advent can be a lonely and depressing time for many. The world thinks we should be happy, happy, happy; so smiles mask the emptiness and sadness because that is what is expected by the world around us.

Advent, is actually supposed to be a time for hope. But, there is little hope if we expect the world to give us answers. The only hope to be found is in the good shepherd. He is humble and he is kind. He is not full of things of this world. His concern is for you. He will care for you. While the world is busy worrying about "things," Jesus is there for you. He is with you; watching over you. He loves you enough to lay down his life for you. What greater gift can there be than having someone love you so much they would give their all for you? Rejoice in that gift! 

May God help us to see as the Good Shepherd sees and to live as he lives caring for others enough to be with those who are hurting; those who are alone; those who are in any need, not just this Advent season; but, all year round.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love As The Good Shepherd Loves

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15 KJV)

What greater love can there possibly be than to willingly lay down your life for another? That is exactly what Jesus did. He died that all who believe in him would have eternal life.

The very sad thing is that this kind of love seems to be unfathomable to so many today. They do not know Jesus nor do they have his kind of love even for their family; even for their own children. Vengeance seems to be the norm for even the slightest infractions even among people who pretend to love one another. This narcissistic kind of attitude and behavior just drives everyone involved deeper into darkness. 

There is a way out of the darkness. Follow the good shepherd on a better path. Turn aside from the anger that envelopes you and do what is right; do the loving thing.

Take care that you do not persecute anyone for our Father in heaven loves them and watches over them. 

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matt 18:6)

Love one another as the good shepherd loves you!

God's Peace - Pr. J