The One Good Shepherd

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 

                                                                      (John 10:7-14 KJV)

Are you still wondering when that abundant life is going to be yours?  Have you considered that just maybe you are following the wrong shepherd?

Even in times of trouble those who follow the good shepherd, who is Jesus the Christ, will know peace. They will know peace because they know that Jesus is with them and no matter what dark valleys they travel through he will bring them to lie in green pastures and beside still waters. Jesus will restore our souls.

There is only one good shepherd. Follow him and live life in an abundance of peace!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Way

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5 KJV)

Last week, I was asked by a friend for directions to my house from Jacksonville. I told her to put my address into the GPS on her phone as I had no clue where in Jacksonville she was and no idea how to get to my home from where she was. I always use a GPS when traveling. Other than Highway 95, I really couldn't name any of the other roads that one might need to travel on. 

I was also in Jacksonville yesterday. Although, I've been to the exact location many times over the last few years, I still use my GPS. I know my way to where I was going and I know my way home from there. But, I still use my GPS because one can never know when there might be a detour due to construction or an accident. I trust it to show me the way to where I am going. But, I also know the GPS system is not 100% reliable. I have been led to a few dead ends and wrong addresses over the years. 

There is one though who can lead us faithfully through deserts and wildernesses. He will lead us through dark valleys and over high mountains. He will lead us on the way because he is the way. We can trust Jesus to show us the way 100% of the time. Listen to him and follow him in the way that he has shown you.

"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 

                                                                                          (John 14:4-6)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Level Ground

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

                      (Psalm 143:10)

Mountains and valleys can make for a very interesting journey. They bring many challenges; many opportunities for growth. But, sometimes, especially as I grow older, I would prefer to walk on level ground. I would much prefer to sit at Jesus' feet in quiet and in peace. 

However, as Christ was crucified on a hill according to our Father's will; in order to take up our crosses and follow we should not expect that the ground will be level. It will not always be easy to traverse.

As I get older, I sometimes lament that there are still many mountains to climb and valleys to find my way through. But, I must admit the journey has gotten less chaotic. I am able to stand on level ground much more often than I was able a few decades ago. I have found much more time just to sit at Jesus' feet and that sitting for a time has made the valleys and mountains much easier to traverse.

Isaiah prophesied that every mountain and hill would be made low and every valley raised up. (Isa 40:3-4)

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
   the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
   a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
   every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

   the rugged places a plain.

                               (Isaiah 40:3-4)

God in Christ Jesus can make our journeys smooth even when we encounter the many ups and downs in this world: if we would only listen to God and follow where the Spirit would lead us.

May the Spirit of God lead you on straight paths and level ground so that you might know the peace and the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Hand Of The Lord

Bond Falls, Paulding, MI

I will open rivers on the bare heights,
    and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
    and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
    the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
I will set in the desert the cypress,
    the plane and the pine together,
so that all may see and know,
    all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
    the Holy One of Israel has created it.
                                        Isaiah 41:18-20 NRSV

The promises of the Lord are as numerous as the stars in the sky that He created. He created all things. He created even the wilderness which we find ourselves wandering through. The hand of the Lord has done this. Let us give thanks to the Lord for all His promises; for all of his gifts to humankind.

God's Peace - Pr. J

High Places

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

    he enables me to tread on the heights." (Hab 3:19 NIV)

"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places." (Hab 3:19 KJV)

It has been many years since I read, "Hinds Feet On High Places," an allegory, written by Hannah Hurnard. The journey of Much-Afraid and her friends Sorrow and Suffering, as they follow Shepherd to the high places, where they will walk as on hinds' feet, takes them through many dangers.  It is a long journey. They must have patience. They must have persistence. But, in the end, they (we) will dance in the presence of God. 

This is a familiar story to many of us as even daily we journey through many difficult times in anticipation and the hope of the promised land.

Just as Habakkuk prayed and waited patiently for the LORD to deliver God's people from the enemy, from the many dangers that surround them; we, too pray and wait patiently (sometimes not as patiently as at other times) for the LORD to deliver His people from the turmoil and dangers they encounter as they journey through the dark shadows of the valley of death.

 

The Lord is our strength. With Him we shall walk through dark valleys to the high places where the light does surely shine. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

His Light Leads Us

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
    and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
    I will not forsake them. 
                                                       Isaiah 42: 16

Through the trees we could see the lights exploding in the darkness. Last night most of our neighbors were celebrating Independence Day, a day early, with fireworks. The light put off by fireworks is sometimes very bright; but, it is also very momentary. They might give enough light for you to see to take a few more steps in the darkness. But, the light is not enduring. God's light never burns out. It is there always to lead you on unfamiliar paths; to lead you through dark valleys.

May God help us to walk in the way of his light that He has set before us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Have a joyful Independence Day!