27 July: The World’s Greatest Shepherd

Apparently 500 million sheep are killed for food every year across the globe. But I wonder who would bother to concern themselves with the question: Is anyone looking after them?

READ PSALM 23   Make notes of what stands out for you. Please feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts. 

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

If sheep were human, our current consumption of lamb meat amounts to the equivalent of wiping out the entire population of the human race in 15 years. But who would raise up the status of sheep to that of a human, or lower the status of a human to that of sheep? It was King David of Israel who spoke with the Creator God about His people being the sheep of His pastures[a], and Father God confirmed the sentiment over the next centuries in different ways.[b] Unlike modern consumer societies though, the World’s Greatest Shepherd knows that sheep can’t take care of themselves. Left to themselves, they will follow each other even to their deaths. What this life requires of them exceeds their understanding and their ability, which is why they need a good shepherd. Our Great Shepherd, Father God Himself, guards us, provides for us, and comforts us as He leads us by His Mighty Right Hand through the dangers and perils and hard terrain of this life. More than that, The Good Shepherd treats His sheep as prized possessions[c] – so much so that He laid His life down for His sheep.[d] The simple question left is: Will we follow?

Read More? …CLICK on “27 July – Additional Notes”

But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.

Would you like to speak to and hear from the World’s Greatest Shepherd? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[e]

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

  1. Praise: “Our Father in Heaven, how great is Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…”
Because, Lord, Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. I will lift up my hands in Your Name and I’ll bless You as long as I live! [Psalm 63:3-4]
  1. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
  • The world: Pray for the suicide rate in Japan[f]
  • Your nation: Homeless and poverty in your community
  • Yourself: Your “daily bread”.
  • Your concerns for today
Thank-you Father God for being able to do immeasurably more beyond all I ask or think, according to Your power at work in us. To You, O Lord, be glory in all generations forever and ever. [Ephesians 3:20-21]
  1. Admit: “…Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Yes, I admit it and can’t hide it, I am sorry that I have sinned against You, O Lord my God. [Joshua 7:20]
  1. Protect: “… Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil…”
Thank-you Lord that You are able to ‘establish me’ according to Your Good News and the preaching of Your Living Word, and by the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for ages long past… to the only wise God, through our Lord, be glory forever. [Romans 16:25,27]

“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen!”

When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked, or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[g] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = God’s Word

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” [James 1:22]

[a] 2 Samuel 24:17

[b] Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 23:1 & 50:6; Ezekiel 34:31; Matthew 9:36; John 1:29

[c] 2 Samuel 12:1-6

[d] John 10:11&15

[e] Matthew 6:5-15

[f] http://www.operationworld.org/country/japa/owtext.html

[g] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31

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