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Like a Shepherd, Lead Us

January 16, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

Sheepherding was a chief industry of the Hebrew people in ancient times. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all shepherds. When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, the servant mentioned the fact that the Lord had given Abraham’s family flocks and herds as evidence of his honored status (Gen. 24:35). Isaac’s possession of many flocks and herds caused the Philistines to envy him (Gen. 26:14). Later, Jacob would manage Laban’s flocks (Gen. 30).

In the Ancient Near East, kings and other leaders were styled as shepherds of their people. When God sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel after Saul, he went to Jesse’s house, but the youngest son was not present. David was out keeping the sheep (1 Sam. 16:11). He knew that God would be with him in a battle against Goliath for the Lord had already delivered him from bears and lions in his defense of the flock (1 Sam. 17:34-36). Later, when the tribes of Israel gathered at Hebron to make David king, they said, “Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel’ ” (2 Sam. 5:2). It is no surprise that God is often referred to as a shepherd (Psa. 28:9; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:15). David famously wrote, “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psa. 23:1).

We might not like to think of people as sheep, but the figure is fitting. God’s children cannot be appropriately represented by the metaphor of dogs, lions, or tigers. Predators, who are dangerous to all other living things, are not characteristics of God’s people. The helplessness of the sheep is the chief characteristic that causes them to represent God’s people so well. A deer’s quickness can allow him to escape danger. An animal with fangs and powerful claws, like a lion, allow him to stand up against any beast of the jungle. However, a flock of sheep run together until they are killed. Such a defenseless type of animal is used to describe us. We are defenseless on our own and need the Lord to protect us. The shepherd stayed by the sheep day and night to protect them from predators or robbers. We need God to stay by our side, to guide us, protect us, and provide for us.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). Jesus shepherds our souls (1 Pet. 2:25). Elders in the church watch out for our souls (1 Pet. 5:1-3). They operate under Jesus, the chief shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4). The Lord wants His flock fed and protected from spiritual harm (Jn. 21:15-17; Acts 20:28, 29). If a shepherd finds one sheep is missing, he leaves ninety-nine to go looking for the missing one (Mt. 18:12-14; Lk. 15:4-7). Stay close to the Lord our Shepherd and His flock. Spiritual dangers and death lurk if you should wander off alone.

Attitudes that Promote Unity

January 7, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians has a lot to say about unity found in Christ. God’s plan is to unite all things in heaven and on earth in Christ (Eph. 1:10). Major differences existed among people in the first-century church. These differences presented obstacles that had to be overcome. Jews and Gentiles had no fellowship with each other; however, they became one body by the cross of Christ (Eph. 2:16). In the church God brought oneness where there was once separation. He broke down the middle wall of partition (Eph. 2:14).

In today’s world, the body of Christ brings together people who are vastly different. People of different races, cultures, and backgrounds make up the church; moreover, even among individuals in the church who share similarities in these, differences still exist in personalities, likes, and dislikes. Yet in all of this, God’s plan is unity in the church.

Notice the unity described in Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” The items listed here are tremendously significant points of unity in the body of Christ. However, the unity God desires and has given in the church is not something that comes without effort. Just prior to this, Paul urged these Christians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:2-3).

Lowliness is humility. Pride causes a man to exalt himself. This will not help unity. When people exalt men, division occurs. A prime example of this problem was the carnally-minded church at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 3:3,4).

Next to lowliness is gentleness. Gentleness is meekness, power under control. Those who are meek are not eager to display their power to others, but rather learn to control themselves so that the greater good may be accomplished.

Longsuffering is also essential to unity. Being patient with our brothers and sisters in Christ will go a long way toward maintaining unity. Problems among brothers may come because of misunderstanding of the Bible or of each other. If my brother misunderstands, I should patiently help him to understand. Problems that arise from a brother who genuinely misunderstands are to be handled differently than those that arise from one who deliberately causes division. Notice the difference between the instructions regarding a weaker brother (1 Cor. 8:11-12) and a factious man (Titus 3:10).

Finally, we must bear with each other in love. Genuine love is the best cure for a divided body. No wonder the famous chapter on love was written to the aforementioned Corinthian church that was divided over spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 13).

Let us make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit by having attitudes of humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and love.

Preparing the Way for the LORD

January 3, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:3-5.)

These words are a prophecy of John, the forerunner of Jesus. When a king traveled, men were sent ahead of him to make the path smooth. John was no literal road construction worker, but in a spiritual way he prepared hearts for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:3 quotes the above passage in Isaiah regarding John. The two preceding verses describe his work thus, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:1, 2). John had a message from God to deliver. The Holy Spirit said of John in prophecy “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me…” (Mal. 3:1).

John was preparing hearts by preaching repentance. Repentance is one of the most difficult charges God asks of us; it involves a change of the will regarding sin that results in a changed life. John told the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to him in the wilderness to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Mt. 3:8). People who repented would become merciful in their giving (Lk. 3:10, 11). Tax collectors would no longer exact more than what was appointed (Lk. 3:12, 13). Soldiers would be content with their wages and no longer do violence nor falsely accuse (Lk. 3:14). Self-righteous religious leaders would not humble themselves; therefore, they would not truly repent. John told people what they needed to change in their life in order to please God. This takes courage. John had enough courage to tell Herod that it was not lawful for him to have his brother Philip’s wife; as a result of his courageously speaking the truth, he was thrown into prison and eventually beheaded (Mt. 14:3-12).

While John is often called “the Baptist,” this was not his name, but rather describes his work. He immersed people in water for the remission of sins. “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mk. 1:4). Baptism is a burial, an immersion (Rom. 6:3,4; Col. 2:12). The purpose of John’s baptism was the same as the baptism the Lord later commanded in the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Lk. 24:47); it was “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Today, we are to administer the Lord’s baptism for the remission of sins to those who will repent at the preaching of the gospel.

John pointed the way to Jesus. When he saw Him, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water” (Jn. 1:29-31). John was willing to point his disciples away from himself to the greater one: the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:23-29). John said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30). We too need to point others to Jesus instead of ourselves. We too must preach God’s message, even the unpopular message of repentance. By your words and actions, you can prepare the way for those around you to receive the Lord Jesus and submit to His commandments.

Time Management

December 22, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

As another year passes, we should think about how we are using our time. We need to redeem the time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). Redeem means “buying up” or “buying out.” Every opportunity must be snapped up as if we have found a bargain. We should make the best of our opportunities while supplies last. Life appears for a little while, then vanishes away (James 4:14).

Time Management

David prayed, “LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor” (Psa. 39:4, 5). Think of how much David accomplished in his life—from his youth as a lowly shepherd boy to his ascension as the great king of Israel. His name is one of the most mentioned in the Bible. His accomplishments are retold today, thousands of years later. However, he was mortal and frail. At his best, he was only vapor. His son, Solomon, commented on the meaninglessness of accomplishing great works and accumulating wealth that will only be left to someone else (Ecc. 2:17-23). No matter how great some people look or how much they seem to have it all together, everyone is fragile. Each person’s life on this earth has an expiration date.

In desiring that the life God had given him would be meaningful, Moses prayed, “establish the work of our hands for us” (Psalm 90:17). In Psalm 90, Moses is speaking on behalf of the Israelite community. God’s is beyond time. He is from everlasting to everlasting (Psa. 90:2). In light of God’s immorality, Moses reflected on man’s mortality and the fragility of life (Psa. 90:3-6). Moses and Israel faced various trials throughout their earthly lives. Israel brought some of the suffering on themselves through their disobedience. His desire was to not waste time in sin that brings on the wrath of God, but rather to please Him who is eternal, to whom we must give an account. God’s people in all subsequent ages can identify with the request of Psalm 90:10-12: “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Numbering our days means evaluating how we spend our time. We will be judged by how we use what God has given us (Matt. 25:14-30). If we are too busy with other pursuits to spend time pleasing God, then we must reconsider and repent. Do you take time for God’s word at the time of day when you are at your best mentally to take it in? When you spend time with family, are you distracted? Are you present with them so that you can be the kind of family member God wants you to be? When you attend church services, is your heart into what you are doing? Or is your mind somewhere else? Make the most of the little time you have left.

Faithful Endurance Like Abraham

December 16, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

The book of Hebrews shows how the Old Testament pointed to Christ. The author of the book declared of God, “he is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23). God’s faithfulness to His promises encourages those who read His word to continue to hold fast to Him in faith (Hebrews 13:22). Even though Hebrews shows how Christ is far better than the Old Testament system He replaced, there is still benefit in learning from the Old Testament. Comfort and encouragement come to us from those scriptures (Romans 15:4). We want to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit God’s promises (Hebrews 6:12), such as Abraham who patiently endured and obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:15).

The New Testament opens with establishing the fact that Jesus Christ is a descendant of Abraham (Matthew 1:1). God had made a promise to Abraham that in him all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Though Abraham was childless at the time, God promised great things would come through his progeny. Abraham waited a quarter of a century from God’s initial promise to the actual birth of Isaac (Genesis 12:4; 21:5). Abraham was not sinless, but he was faithful; God regarded him as righteous based on this (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; James 2:20-24). The blessing of Abraham comes to us through Jesus Christ so that we might receive the promise (Galatians 3:14). Those who walk in faith like Abraham, receive the righteousness that comes by faith (Romans 4:12-13). When one is baptized into Christ, one becomes a child of God by faith (Galatians 3:26-27). One then belongs to Christ, becomes part of Abraham’s seed, and an heir of the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Abraham obeyed God, keeping His commandments, charges, and laws (Genesis 26:5). To be of the seed of Abraham, one must do the same. Jesus said if one follows his own desires rather than following God, then one is a child of the devil, even if one’s physical lineage could be traced back to Abraham (John 8:39-41, 44). Descendants of Abraham had to bring forth the fruits of repentance from sin (Matthew 3:8-10). Even though Abraham died in peace, his descendants were servants in Egypt for over 400 years (Genesis 15:13-15). However, sin is an even harsher taskmaster (John 8:24; Romans 6:19-21). Sin leads to death and torment (Romans 6:23; James 1:15; Revelation 20:10; 21:8). The descendants of Abraham hoped in death to be at rest, comforted alongside Abraham (Luke 16:22-25). However, Jesus is the only way of truth that sets one free from sin (John 8:31-32; 14:6). He offers rest to all who follow Him (Matthew 11:28).

We realize God’s promise of rest remains for us (Hebrews 4:1). Some of the descendants of Abraham fell short of receiving rest because they lacked faith, giving in to various sins (Hebrews 3:16-18; 1 Corinthians 10:1-14). Therefore, we do not turn away from God in unbelief, but rather “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6). Considering the faith of men like Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-10) should spur us on to continue in obedience and faithful endurance to the end of our race, focusing our attention on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).