April 8, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam April Devotions: "The Good Shepherd"

And so, I continue. . .  

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7

Ezekiel 34:4-6 ~ 4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. 5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. KJV  

Chapter 34 of Ezekiel exposes God's great concern of the "shepherds" leading the people. They were more interested in what they could obtain or gain than what they could do for God's people. These "shepherds" (princes, kings, leaders) main goal was to "fleece the flock" so to say. God was very unhappy about this, and it shows not only here in Ezekiel, but He also revealed in the book of 1 Peter; When Peter wrote, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;" (1 Peter 5:2), he meant spiritual shepherds. Peter also wrote this keeping in mind that Jesus is always the THE Shepherd among God’s people (1 Peter 2:25); "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

If we are leaders of people in any capacity, we are to use the good judgment God gives us, AND in every way deal honestly and decent to others! If you are in a position where people come to you to seek help in any way; we must obey the Word of God and lead with humbleness, using Jesus as our Guide when we minister to others. In His teaching on the Good Shepherd in John 10,"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."  Jesus explained this principle. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Peter later wrote of this same idea (1 Peter 5:2) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;" All faithful "shepherds" are to care for the flock, sometimes at our own significant self-sacrifice. 

Will you be able to stand before God one day Christian, and say you fulfilled your duties as a "shepherd" by the Word of God? Today is the day you can change that if you are not. Turn it all over to God, let Him help and lead you! Be blessed,

HE CARES! Do You Know HIM?  Lord, help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You. Amen.  With love and prayers, may we be your faithful Philippians 2:16 Missionaries?

Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

Tom and Linda Milam ~ Missionaries to America and around the world! 

Listen to Bro. Tom on www.wbofradio.com "The Jewel For The Day" program, every Monday - Friday at 6am and 2pm EST.

In the name of Jesus, may we be HIS emissaries and used by Him to help others. 

PRAY BIG FOR OTHERS AND YOURSELF! GOD WANTS TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS!