April 26, 2023 ~ LKMilam 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

John 10:14-16 ~ 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.  KJV 

"I am the good shepherd," . . ." Jesus said it so plainly there could be no mistake what He meant. He fulfills the ideal of shepherd-like care for the people of God as illustrated in the Old Testament and in that culture. He is the pattern to follow. If you do not see the attributes of Christ in your Pastor, you must examine your heart with discernment and ask God to reveal to you through His wisdom and guidance how to pray for the Pastor. Jesus was the antagonist and revealer of the false teacher "the robbers and thieves as mentioned in previous verses. He is the Head of all good shepherds. When Jesus talked of the good shepherd, He revealed this this Shepherd is remarkable, willing to take risks to protect His sheep. He isOne that would die for His sheep, and that is very rare in a normal shepherd; one that is not God called. 

“In the Latin tongue the word for money is akin to the word ‘sheep,’ because, to many of the first Romans, wool was their wealth, and their fortunes lay in their flocks. The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd: we are his wealth.” (Spurgeon) 

The good shepherd sacrifices for the sheep (gives His life). The good shepherd knows his sheep (I know My sheep). We think of sheep as being all the same. The shepherd knows they are individuals with their own personalities and characteristics. The good shepherd is known by the sheep (and am known by My own).  

The faithful pastor will, as an under-shepherd, display the same characteristics as the Good Shepherd. He will sacrifice for the sheep, know the sheep, and be known by them. He will be a shepherd and not a hireling who does not care about the sheep. He can never hope to display these characteristics to the same extent as Jesus, but they should reflect his heart and his goal.

The title pastor translates the same ancient Greek word used here for shepherd. It is a title that is only rightfully earned, not granted or assumed.  The work of Jesus as the Good Shepherd was based on His close relationship with His God and Father, and so should that be the same life of the pastor. He must have that one-on-one personal relationship with the Father of all Fathers. His life should so shine of the blessed love of the Father, that he would be willing to sacrifice his own life, time, and being for his flock, as Jesus models.  That late phone call of distress, listen, pray, go as needed. The call from the hospital, as a member lays in great illness, GO! Love on them and their families in the Lord! Make your life so caught up in your flock, that you would anticipate a call always keeping the flock in prayer! This is a pastor. 

But Jesus also knew there were others who needed Him. Thank God, He did not come just for the Jews! He came for all men! The Gentiles! That's me. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  

How about you? Do you know that you are one of the flock of Christ? If you don't know that for sure, you destination is hell.  Doesn't have to be so. Be saved today!

HE CARES! Lost person, Do You Want to 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. 

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. 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America and around the world! 

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

 

April 14, 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 34:22-24 ~ 22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.  KJV  

Although God spoke of the salvation of His flock, and the protection of that flock from the evil one, and here He speaks of one shepherd, David, who will care for them as their shepherd, I see the picture of my Saviour. God sent Him and Jesus willingly came to save the lost sheep of the world, His children. Those that have accepted Jesus as Saviour and He is coming again to save us from this evil world and the evil one who is trying to destroy all that is called good.

Folks, this is real. The Bible is REAL, Heaven is real and so is HELL. We are in a battle for the souls of men and right now, this day in time, all around the world, the devil is wreaking havoc on all people. Many have no contact or control and untold numbers have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. but God . . . We have a Saviour on the way. Are you ready? He is the GREAT SHEPHERD! The one that made a way for us to be with the Lord God in Heaven. I pray today is the day you make sure of your place with Him there.

". . .  I the LORD have spoken it."

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. 

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. 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America and around the world! 

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

 

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!

May 1 ~ Dr. Tom Milam He Leadeth Me Devotional

“The Shepherd’s Psalm”
-continued-

--And greater love has ne’re been seen, 

than from the depths, His bride redeem, restore to honor,

long unclaimed; fresh, and white

---and clean neither asked their shepherd why, 

Only trusted that He was nigh.

The billows ore’ me roll, the tempest round me blows; 

My heart is given, to trembling fear.

Not my Shepherd I hear declared!

--How then is that desperate cry, 

Master we perish, carest not we die?

And long ago accused unjust, I now await in darkening dust; 

Forgotten of man, I hear not from God.

Oh I see an angry look, - - ask Joseph of his brothers,

the baker, the butler, --find it in the Book!

Still I cry, the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;

--for with feeble hands the sailor shook, 

the one who slept beneath the stern; and standing on the wave swept ship, 

Peace Be Still!

The words He spoke; and delivered those who quaked and shook. 

---and Joseph wept his brothers to hold,     

and called for his father, a man grey and old; 

sent by the Lord, a way to prepare;

to deliver from famine,---and want, ---and despair.

Yet neither asked their Shepherd why, 

Only trusted that He was nigh.

I put forth my hands, and another girds, 

and take me where I would not go.

Why? Why?

---must it be so? 

Lovest thou me?

He asks;

Then come follow me.

Daily Jewel:

“Yet neither asked their Shepherd why, only trusted that He was nigh.”

Bible Reading Schedule: II Kings 1-3

Weekly Memory Verses: Psalms 23:1-6

Psalms 23:1  A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

April 1, 2023 ~ Linda K. Milam March 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

Psalms 23:1-3 ~ <<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. KJV 

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “I like to recall the fact that this psalm was written by David, probably when he was a king. He had been a shepherd, and he was not ashamed of his former occupation.”

“It [Psalm 23] has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching griefs, of orphans in their loneliness. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter’s angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. It has made the dying Christian slave freer than his master, and consoled those whom, dying, he left behind mourning, not so much that he was gone, as because they were left behind, and could not go, too.” (Henry Ward Beecher, cited in Charles Spurgeon)

Who is your shepherd? Throughout the Bible, the use of a "shepherd" in comparison to our Saviour is mentioned a number of times, and one of my favorite verses is: Ezekiel 34:12  As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." This verse tells me that our Saviour will find me no matter where I am. But He can only do that because I am one of HIS sheep. Praise the Lord for the day of my salvation. He is all to me! It is also a familiar idea throughout the Bible that the LORD is a shepherd to His people. The idea begins as early as the Book of Genesis, where Jacob called the LORD the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel (Genesis 49:24). "But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)"

I am so thankful that He never gave up on me, and called me continually as a shepherd calls for his sheep. We are blessed among many!

May the God of all creation give you strength, power, peace and may He ever be FIRST in our lives!

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. 

• SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS:  'PRAY BIG'!S

• My Sister Edie hospitalized. . . pray for healing and wisdom for her caregivers!
• Shirley - had pacemaker surgery 4/3/23 pray for healing.

• Nancy Health
• Butch Mays - UPDATE 3/27/23 : BUTCH WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL ON THE 26TH AROUND 2PM. WE PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS PROTECTIVE HAND ON HIS LIFE!  Pray for continuing healing from open heart surgery. ~ Pastor JP Mays dad out of Maranatha BC in Princeton WV.
• David Wiles - ANNOUNCED CANCER FREE AFTER TREATMENTS - my nephew! 
• Remember a post I put out a few days ago!  YOU PRAYED BIG, AND GOD CAME THROUGH! WE WILL GIVE DETAILS LATER! 
• Carolyn healing from skin cancer removal - praise the Lord.
• David Harrison - cancer 3/26/23 UPDATE - Pastor Harrison has stage 4 cancer CAT SCAN revealed NO CANCER IN ANY MAJOR ORGANS! PRAISE THE LORD.   Pray for treatments that will start soon and that his body will be able to tolerate the treatments with no side affects. A praise - His health team are phenomenal - that is so important!
• Also, praise the LORD for the paper Maranatha Baptist IN Princeton WV gave us - Gospel tracts are on the way to the cartel on this paper. . . pray for souls saved and safety for the missionaries who carry it with God's protection. This trip they have been approved by two heads of state in these cartels, to set up a "church" building. They have been meeting in open air areas, and many have trusted Christ as their Saviour! The more that are saved, peace reins in their homes and communities. O the stories that can be told! Pray that God will provide all that is needed! 
• PRINT SHOP ANSWER TO PRAYER!  ANOTHER NEW PAPER PALLET ARRIVING MONDAY 3-13-23, GIVEN TO US BY AN ANONYMOUS donation.  Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD the Print Shop Paper Vendor has located some much needed paperstock, but price per case has gone from around $92 to over $140 - God will supply with your prayers! We are required to take a pallet of 20 boxes! $2,800 
• Dale ~ continued help and healing after losing his precious wife.
• UPDATE: 3/26/23 Baby Knox had to be re-intubated. . . HOWEVER, HE HAS WOKEN and is actually sucking . . . genetic tests still are not back... keep praying
• Sal fell, broke his hip, had surgery. Praise the Lord, Sal is still in rehab, AND as of Sunday 3/26/24 he was up on a walker and sometimes walking without one. Please pray for a speedy recovery! One of our much needed volunteers. Pray he can continue showing improvement and get out of rehab soon.
• David Pierce, Sr. - Losing his vision 3/1/23.
• UPDATE 3/4/23 - little Chloe Rochester's results on tumor revealed that it is stage 3 and will most likely move to other organs quickly. She begins 52 weeks of intensive treatments. Chloe has had her second  treatment. Please continue to pray for her, please pray God will give wisdom to the doctors and her parents.
• Missionary Stan Skriloff recently diagnosed CANCER free, rang the bell yesterday after taking his LAST CHEMO treatment! He is suffering with other issues due to chemo treatments! PLEASE PRAY God will heal him fully and give him strength to carry on the work He loves so much!
• Linda Sue Williams - Please pray Doctors can find answers to her illnesses. 
• Please, pray for our daughter Lita in her health journey with Guillain-Barré syndrome. ANSWER TO PRAYER - MUCH NEEDED EQUIPMENT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. Please pray that God will move with regards to her future situation in health and finances. Thank you for praying. 
• Bro. Tom's EYES AND SHOULDER - Please continue to pray for his shoulder, and that God would heal it completely. His doctor says Surgery is out of the question at his age.
• Lillian Kendall (my sister) pray for her health.
• Edie Smith (my sister) needs a touch from heaven to heal her body.
• David Douglass - had a knee replacement surgery -  healing
• DJ needs a special touch from heaven. (Shannon's son and she has asked us to pray for DJ - God Knows!) - please pray especially for his mother who is greatly burdened for the right result for DJ.
• Brady Rochester - diagnosed with Parkinson's and Neuropathy.
• Jim Bove ~ Needs a special touch from heaven for some personal issues. God knows! Please pray for his understanding and wisdom in health choices.
• Dolly ~ God knows and has the answers.
• Kaycee Scalise and hi-risk pregnancy. 
• Barbara - last stages of organ cancer. 
• Lorraine - praise the LORD for your healing touch.
• Lorrie - salvation.
• Wayne Corfman - pacemaker check went well but, he has a few more months of monitoring and will get his pacemaker changed out soon. He will be seeing his cardiologist more often. It is hard to believe it is time to get a new one. (Ten years since he died in my car and was revived!) Please pray for wisdom for his caregivers!
• Sharon J. Her mom Kathryn's health.
• Larissa, Helene, Calvin, Dominic, Rocky, Cindy - Our group home folks. Also, please pray for all of their caregivers.
• Pastor Mike Schneider, power and confidence to preach the whole counsel of God!
• Judy Lewis - Pray that her health recovery continues to improve.
• Dickie and Debbie Reynolds - Dickie's pacemaker replacement has been a real help, praise the LORD. 
• Robbie Colt ~ needs double lung replacement after total damage of lungs by covid, also pray in the loss of his father to covid, and his stepmother. 
• Walter - is doing very well after treatment.
• Brenda Milam - wisdom and health (Tom's sister)
• Pam Shumate - Brenda's daughter health
• The Henshaw's health
• John Odom - aneurisms. 
• Louise Odom - cancer treatments. UPDATE: Radiation treatments are starting take a toll on Mrs. Odom's body. 1/2 way through the treatments... pray for her health
• Connie - continued healing. Pray for continued success for Nana's Legacy as well.
• LeeAnn health.
• Pastor Greg Booher - health
• Pastor Bernard Antonis ~ Pastor's lungs are not well!  Pray for Mrs. Carolyn as his caregiver and a healing touch on her body. Most do not have a clue about caring for a loved one through many years. She is exhausted many times.
• These families have lost loved ones to death in the last few months: John Isler, Larry Goodman, Frank Sparks, Lucinda Lane, Randy Rolle, Ruth Kemp, Bill Alley, Keith Cook, Cathy Harrison, Rachel Vance, Gail Tipton, Bob DeSalvio, Gail Tipton, Peters Family, Davis and Tichnell Family, Tudino family, Fuentes Family, DeSalvio Family, Thompson Family, The Toler Family in the homegoing of Donnie, Lucinda Lane Family (my beautiful sister-in-love), Keith Cook Family (our nephew and Tom's sister Florences' son), The Leo Family, The Echeverria Vallejos family in the homegoing of Patricia's father, The Baker Family, Richard Rosenmeier family, Jerry Kruchkow family, the Clingaman family, Carter Family, Mary Nutter Family, PJ's family
• Shannon - health problems, grieving in loss of father. 
• Carolyn Holerger - having numerous "cancer" spots removed from her face, neck and shoulder. Please pray for her pain level, anxiety, and especially her heart. 
• Pray for Sister Cora and her hip healing from a fall and surgery. Keep her in your prayers please. She is still experiencing a lot of pain. Sis Cora has an appointment with surgeon - her pain is not getting better at all.
• Pray for the Printing Ministry - PLEASE Pray our paper supply will continue - we are still not able to purchase COVER STOCK, but we praise the Lord for our previous pastor's wisdom in buying several truckloads of this precious product. Only God knew what we would be facing today with shortages, and we have the "widows' mite" we are working from. We have started negotiating with equipment vendors, particularly for the color and black and white printers! We seek wisdom and discernment in this area!
• Pray for the Mission Team coming in June that we will be able to finish all the work they will do for the few days they are with us.
• Robyn-Health
• Carol and Richard-Health
• Cathy-Health
• Dicky and Debbie Reynolds - health
• Marsha-Health and ankle pain
• Carol and Richard-Health
• Lucinda Lane Family - pray for my brother Joe. This is a hard transition for anyone, but his health is poor as well.
• Paul Tipton - pray for Bro. Paul home giving ministry updates and getting ready to go back to serving God in Nicaragua without his helper and bride.
• Penny - pray for her husband Mike - health
• Benjamin - surgery went well, pray for his recovery which may be long.
• Elaine - continued good health and strength.