Category Archives: Abiding In Jesus

1 Or 9??? It’s Your Choice! A Word from THE WORD!!! #119

09 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Thanks to God!, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Thankful, Thanksgiving

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1 Or 9???  It’s Your Choice! A Word from THE WORD!!! #119

I have a simple and brief word for you this morning; will you be a “1” or join in the “9”?  It’s a simple but profound choice that can change your life and affect those around you in amazing ways!  Let’s consider this scripture from Jesus’ life.

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem,

that he passed through the midst of Samaria

and Galilee.

12 And as he entered into a certain village,

there met him ten men that were lepers,

which stood afar off:

13 And they lifted up their voices, and said,

Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them,

Go shew yourselves unto the priests.

And it came to pass, that, as they went,

they were cleansed.

15 And one of them,

when he saw that he was healed,

turned back,

and with a loud voice glorified God,

16 And fell down on his face at his feet,

giving him thanks:

and he was a Samaritan.

17 And Jesus answering said,

Were there not ten cleansed?

but where are the nine?

18 There are not found

that returned to give glory to God,

save this stranger.

19 And he said unto him,

Arise, go thy way:

thy faith hath made thee whole.”  Luke 17:11-19

WOW!!!

Did you get it?  Here’s Jesus, The Son of God, traveling, as was his custom (remember no Uber!), and ten leprous men approach him (at a distance in compliance with the Jewish law of leprosy) and cry out for healing, for they didn’t have any other option, asking for Jesus’ mercy to heal them (now remember He is traveling through Samaria and Galilee).  Of course Jesus extended mercy and healing to them and commanded them to comply with the Law and to go and show themselves to the priest to be ceremonially declared ‘clean’!  So they believed HIS words and ‘took off’ without another word–kind of like we do when God hears and answers our prayers, or moves in some amazing way in our lives, or speaks to us about some particular burden that we have carried for a long time.  So often, we too ‘take off’ without a word!

But one! This ‘one’ came back, “and

with a loud voice

glorified God,

16 And fell down

on his face at his feet,

giving him thanks”

This ‘one’ returned with praise, glory, and ‘thanks-giving’ to Jesus for the healing! And Jesus noticed that there were nine who “didn’t” return! So, simply put, are you a “one” or part of the “nine” who showed no gratitude?

Just a bit of reminder for your consideration:

My Jesus–

My salvation in HIM–

Our family–

Our home–

Our job or work–

          Our children/grandchildren–

Our friends (and they are such a blessing, if you have 1 you’re blessed if you     have more than that you are abundantly blessed.)

My appliances—etc. …..

You continue.

Amen and Amen!!!

Enabler Or Transformer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #117

04 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Enabler or Transformer?, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus--our all in all

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Enabler Or Transformer??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #117

I would like to take our time today to address something that I have pondered this week due to a conversation I had recently; was Jesus an enabler?  It has weighed on my mind as I just couldn’t justify that thought with what I know scripture to reveal about my Lord and Savior, so I’d just like to share a few scriptures on that idea.  Jesus IS a transformer of lives by HIS blood, while yes, HE forgives our sins, HE doesn’t condone or ever enable saved people to continue to sin unchecked.  The lost also have a checking, but that judgment will come later, unless they turn to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice!

The first passage I want us to consider is the account of the woman caught in adultery; when she was brought to Jesus and accused by the religious leaders, Jesus simply stooped down and wrote in the dirt.  What did He write?  I don’t know, but I do know that His silence in response to their fevered accusations against the woman seems to have evoked a change of heart (and it’s interesting that they brought the woman and not the man, just saying).  So here’s the ‘rest of her story’!

“Now Moses in the law commanded us,

that such should be stoned:

but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him,

that they might have to accuse him.

But Jesus stooped down,

and with his finger wrote on the ground,

as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him,

he lifted up himself,

and said unto them,

He that is without sin among you,

let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down,

and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it,

being convicted by their own conscience,

went out one by one,

beginning at the eldest,

even unto the last:

and Jesus was left alone,

and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself,

and saw none but the woman, he said unto her,

Woman, where are those thine accusers?

hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said,

No man, Lord.

And Jesus said unto her,

Neither do I condemn thee:

go,

and sin no more.

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me

shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.”   John 8:5-12

While Jesus told the woman to “go and sin no more”, He didn’t condemn her, but called her to righteous living rather than the sin she had been caught in.  He also went on to define those who follow HIM as those who will “not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”! JESUS!

There is an account of Jesus granting forgiveness to one of His own followers, the disciple Peter–the one who denied Him at His trial leading up to the crucifixion! I won’t list the account of Peter’s failure, but when he knew that what Jesus had told him about denying HIM had happened–that he had failed, he went out weeping (and I believe repentant).  But the Risen Lord didn’t leave it there; He came to Peter (just like He will come to each of us who call HIM LORD, no not in person, but by the power of the voice of the precious Holy Spirit speaking to my heart and yours), for restoration and a task.  Salvation transforms lives, it doesn’t just cover up sin with a religious smile!

Jesus didn’t leave Peter in a fallen state but restored HIM through forgiveness and an empowering commission.  And I believe when you search through scripture, you’ll find it’s almost always the case; and while we won’t take the time today to look at them, there are many accounts of God’s own going to far and facing an early judgment.  The Apostle John talks about a ‘sin unto death’ and this has to be for believers, for the lost are already spiritually dead.  We can keep ourselves close to our Lord, or we can fall into a state of spiritual failure, from where we can still call on Jesus to forgive and cleanse us (See 1 John 1:9).  Yet if we continually disregard God’s Word, call and work in our hearts and minds, HE says HE can take us home before our time.  It’s why we are to encourage one another to live holy, sharing truth as we have the opportunity. (And note Jesus says HE will do the judging and moving (not us), for HE will not enable our sin and failure to continue unchecked.)

“If any man see his brother sin a sin

which is not unto death,

he shall ask,

and he shall give him life

for them that sin not unto death.

There is a sin unto death:

I do not say that he shall pray for it.

17 All unrighteousness is sin:

and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God

sinneth not;

but he that is begotten of God

keepeth himself,

and that wicked one toucheth him not.

19 And we know that we are of God,

and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come,

and hath given us an understanding,

that we may know him that is true,

and we are in him that is true,

 even in his Son Jesus Christ.

This is the true God, and eternal life.”  1 John 5:16-20

We can choose to walk in The Light, and God will keep us safe from the enemy, but if we choose to wander, there is always a consequence.  Hebrews 12 is very clear about God’s relationship with we who are HIS own.  As I have often taught openly and shared privately as well–if you can sin without regard, then you better check out what you think saved you.  Jesus won’t allow HIS own to go unchecked, there is godly, Holy Spirit discipline toward the redeemed.

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto children,

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,

nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,

and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement,

whereof all are partakers,

then are ye bastards,

and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:5-8

Jesus will never be an “enabler”, but are we choosing to walk close to our Lord, or wander off in the dark?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test, and HE disciplines HIS own (and the Greek word for chastening here, is a word that means all that is included in ‘child training’ not just corporal punishment)!

I pray this will help enlighten us to understand that God is ever at work in HIS own, and we are to pursue holiness and purity; and if we miss the mark (which we all do) God will correct us and restore us as needed.  I’m so grateful for HIS grace that forgives, heals, and restores.  It’s why I’m still here.  How about you?

“If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

Amen and Amen!!!

Grace Is For Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #115

30 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Forgiveness, Grace, Greater is HE that is IN US!, Guard Your Heart, Look UP, Love

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Grace Is For Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #115

“And now, brethren,

I commend you to God,

and to the word of his grace,

which is able to build you up,

and to give you an inheritance

among all them

which are sanctified.”  Acts 20:32

“Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.”                     Romans 3:24-26

God is the great giver of grace, and Peter reminds us of this in HIS letter to scattered believers.

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

 that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions are

accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory

and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

One of my favorite passages is Paul’s amazing truths taught in Romans chapter 5–not simply about a grace that is “God’s riches at Christ’s expense”, but the beauty of God’s gift of salvation through Jesus–the Lamb of God who died for me and you– is that by HIS love and grace we can have an amazing relationship with God IN Jesus Christ our Lord!(not just a religion but a relationship)  As my Pastor friend, Bro. Scott says, “Glory, Glory, Glory”!!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

God’s grace is so much IN Jesus, not only His sacrifice for our eternal life in heaven, but HIS provision for us on a daily basis.  I’m so glad that God/Jesus knows what we need in sunshine or rain, in sorrow or joy, in victory or seeming defeat, in confidence or doubt, in frustration or patience, in tears or rejoicing, in the trials and the glory!  And praise God from whom all blessings flow–we know that Jesus IS our glory, not just later in heaven but right now; and He sends the sweetest and most timely blessings when we least expect them!  And another one of Paul’s assurances for us to ponder today! (And yes, it seems that we’re camped out in Romans today–but that’s ok, it’s a great place to camp!!!)!  While this is a lengthy passage, I think it worthy of our time and consideration.  God’s grace abounds and I’m so grateful that it is continually showering around us even when we’re not looking!  But keep looking, for it is such a sweet blessing to see God’s hand at work around us in the daily and the seemingly mundane!

“9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his…

…. 28 And we know that all things work together

for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him

also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing

to the charge of God’s elect?

It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay,

in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                    Romans 8:9, 28-39

May you spend some time this week relishing and glorying in the wonderful, amazing grace of God! He loves you and me so much, and we can rejoice in the grace that, while underserved, abounds at every hand!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

“Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us,

we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:10-11

Rehearse the wonders of God’s amazing grace all around you!

Amen and Amen!!!

Who’s Watching Right Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #114

28 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Children, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU

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Who’s Watching Right Now??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #114

“Give ear,

O my people,

to my law:

incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable:

I will utter dark sayings of old:

3 Which we have heard and known,

and our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children,

shewing to the generation to come

the praises of the LORD,

and his strength,

and his wonderful works

that he hath done.

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob,

and appointed a law in Israel,

which he commanded our fathers,

that they should make them known

to their children:

6 That the generation to come

might know them,

even the children which should be born;

who should arise and declare them

to their children:

7 That they might set their hope in God,

and not forget the works of God,

but keep his commandments:” Psalm 78:1-7

God wants us to lead our children to HIM, and yet if our lives don’t match our ‘words’ or the mask we wear at church or in other public places, those little eyes and ears will know what’s real and what’s fake.  It seems that we are often more concerned with impressing people who don’t care, rather than impressing our own children.  When was the last time you shared your story with your children?  Have you been open and honest about your failures–even when we need to apologize to our children!  Yes, I said there are times when we need to apologize to our children for our failures, misunderstandings, and negligence–after all they usually already know and know we’re just covering up!  Truth is not only a powerful tool, but even more importantly HE is the very person of Jesus Christ!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Do you believe this?  Have you told your children that you believe it?  Have you helped them come to HIM personally?  There is nothing more important than helping our children to be prepared to hear HIS call, to recognize HIS voice, to desire to know HIM because they see HIM IN US?  Are you living out the never changing character that Jesus desires for us to possess?

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

“We love him,

because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:18

Paul paints a great picture of what we are to be before the world; and who more importantly than our own children?  Renewing our minds in Jesus and helping our children to know HIS ways through not only The Bible, but according to what they see in us!  And what they see in us has way more impact than we think!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

 and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

And in closing, as we try to do right with the “measure of faith” that has been given to us by God’s grace, love, and the power of the cross, may we pursue one of my favorite passages on parenting; not that I’ve always lived up to it, but my desire is to pursue it diligently.  May HIS Word and way pervade our life?

“Hear, O Israel:

The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign

upon thine hand,

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts

of thy house,

and on thy gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-9

And God goes on to tell us that there will come a day–when we will have the opportunity to share what God has done and IS doing in our lives; and I believe if we’re living what we profess, it will bear fruit!!!

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying,

What mean the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God

hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:”   Deuteronomy 6:20-21

Will our testimony match what our children see?  There are little eyes and ears watching and listening to you and me!  Every Day! TODAY!!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Hirelings??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #113

26 Wednesday Jul 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Faithful Pastor's, Hirelings, Pretend Shepherds, Showers Of Blessing, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Good Shepherd, The Gospel, The greatest gift!!!, Wolves in sheep's clothing!

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The Hirelings??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #113

I want to start this article that I had already planned to write with a story from life; but first one of my favorite scripture passages; and I’m sitting here writing and listening to an “old” Cathedrals song, “I Know My Savior IS There”!  How great is our God!!!  And I’m smiling.

“And he that searcheth the hearts

 knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession for the saints

according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

 to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

 that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.” Romans 8:27-29

This verse came to me as I smiled in the midst of total chaos!  I was about to take a walk before the heat made that imprudent, but I heard the sound of water (not any usual sound) and realized that the drain hose on the running washing machine had popped out (again) but this time I was a bit slow getting it stopped and it not only ran over in the laundry room (which is tile) but it ran into the hall which is wood plank flooring!  So I got the hose back in and started grabbing towels and got the water out of the hall, then kind of kept scooping it back into the laundry room, picking up the soaked towels and getting dry ones!  Well, I got it mostly cleaned up and just kept smiling to myself and thinking about how good our God is!  He knew I didn’t need to take that walk at that particular moment, and because HE was watching over me, I was home to stop the flow and clean up the mess!  How often, I think, we are so busy looking for a great “miracle” that we miss the work of God in our every step!  Yes, I believe in great miracles, but I also have observed that some people are so busy running around looking for “miracles” that they miss the daily, everyday miracles of God’s sweet, timely and growth producing work in the lives of His own (and just FYI, God doesn’t need Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat to do HIS work–in fact I think we often miss HIS work with our obsession over social media of all kinds).  And that is what I want us to consider today–God’s own, and God’s own work in HIS own–as well as the ‘hirelings’ who appear to tend the flock but run at the first sign of danger.  Jesus talked about this!

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 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.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12 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.

13 The hireling fleeth,

because he is an hireling,

and careth not for the sheep.

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.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me,

 because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received of my Father.”  John 10:7-18

Jesus wants us to understand that HE IS the “good shepherd” who cares for the sheep–doing always what is best for them; yet there is a ‘hireling’ who will only want to take advantage of the flock!  So much so, that when he sees the “wolf” coming he runs away, leaving the sheep defenseless, because he didn’t care for them!  Oh how much we see this today, hirelings who aren’t real ‘under-shepherds’ of The Lord Jesus Christ, just those who want to live on the sheep, not care for them.  Jesus was The One who would lay down HIS life for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith in His Substitutionary, Atoning Sacrifice!  The ultimate love for HIS own sheep, those who will hear His voice and heed to HIS call, HIS care, and HIS glory!

The Old Testament prophets said a good bit about this same scenario of “the hireling”, so I’d like us to peruse a couple of these passages and take them to heart!  May we examine our own heart and soul and be sure that we are one of HIS sheep, and that we are walking close enough to Jesus so that we know HIS voice and learn to run from the “wolves”!  Jesus warned us of these:

“Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  Matthew 7:15

Ezekiel received a message from The Lord which succinctly describes the “hirelings”!  I know this is a bit lengthy, but I think we need to hear it, and ponder what God says about these ‘hirelings’!

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man,

prophesy against the shepherds of Israel,

prophesy, and say unto them,

Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds;

Woe be to the shepherds of Israel

 that do feed themselves!

should not the shepherds

feed the flocks?

3 Ye eat the fat,

and ye clothe you with the wool,

ye kill them that are fed:

but ye feed not the flock.

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.

7 Therefore, ye shepherds,

hear the word of the LORD;

8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD,

surely because my flock became a prey,

and my flock became meat to every beast

of the field,

because there was no shepherd,

neither did my shepherds

search for my flock,

but the shepherds

fed themselves,

and fed not my flock;

9 Therefore, O ye shepherds,

hear the word of the LORD;

10 Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Behold, I am against the shepherds;

and I will require my flock at their hand,

and cause them to cease from feeding the flock;

neither shall the shepherds

feed themselves any more;

for I will deliver my flock

from their mouth,

that they may not be meat for them.

11 For thus saith the Lord GOD;

Behold, I,

even I,

will both search my sheep,

and seek them out.” Ezekiel 34:1-11

And just a few words in this same regard from the ‘weeping Prophet’, Jeremiah; one who heeded the word and work of The Lord but was NOT heeded by his people!

“Heal me, O LORD,

and I shall be healed;

save me,

and I shall be saved:

for thou art my praise.

15 Behold, they say unto me,

Where is the word of the LORD?

let it come now.

16 As for me,

I have not hastened from being a pastor

 to follow thee:

neither have I desired the woeful day;

thou knowest:

that which came out of my lips

was right before thee.”  Jeremiah 17:14-16

And another warning from God through Jeremiah to the “pastors” who were ‘hirelings’, oh that we might heed this reminder that in this world “saying so, doesn’t make it so”!  But when God speaks, we better. Heed The Word, and go right back to what Jesus said in John 10–sound familiar!  The Word will interpret The Word if we will but read it, study it, and be willing to heed it in our own lives each day!

“Woe be unto the pastors

that destroy

and scatter the sheep

of my pasture! saith the LORD.

2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel

against the pastors that feed my people;

Ye have scattered my flock,

and driven them away,

and have not visited them:

behold, I will visit upon you

the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock

out of all countries

whither I have driven them,

and will bring them again to their folds;

and they shall be fruitful and increase.

4 And I will set up shepherds over them

which shall feed them:

and they shall fear no more,

nor be dismayed,

neither shall they be lacking,

saith the LORD.

5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,

that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch,

and a King shall reign and prosper,

and shall execute judgment

and justice in the earth.

6 In his days Judah shall be saved,

and Israel shall dwell safely:

and this is his name whereby he shall be called,

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:1-6                         (See 2 Corinthians 5:21)

And Jesus’ message to the church.  May we consider our ways!  Our King is coming soon–will HE find me faithful?

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ,

which God gave unto him,

to shew unto his servants

things which must shortly come to pass;

and he sent and signified it

by his angel

unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record

of the word of God,

and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,

and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth,

and they that hear the words

of this prophecy,

and keep those things which are written therein:

for the time is at hand.”  Revelation 1:1-3

Yet remember Jesus’ own words–we won’t always be popular when we speak truth.  If people are applauding you, watch out!

“If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not

him that sent me.”  John 15:19-21

Are you listening to Jesus, your shepherd, or the ‘hirelings’?  Open up the true standard–The Bible–and heed what it says to you; then speak the truth “in love”!

Amen and Amen!!!