Sheep in the fold of Jesus!

Read:

John 10:11-18 (NIV): “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my father.”

Act:

This week, let’s remain focused on:

God as our Good Shepherd, as He protects us! Jesus laid His life down for each of us. He offers us eternal life when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour! Jesus further explains this special relationship between ourselves and Him in John 10:27-30 (NIV): “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” As followers of Christ, we are therefore protected and our salvation cannot be taken away. May we learn to listen for the voice of our Father, knowing that we are safely cradled in His hand.

God’s call on us to be wise shepherds of all people. How incredible is it that God mentioned another shepherd, by name, in His Word… Isaiah 44:24 (NIV) reads: “This is what the Lord says – I am the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by Myself…” And in verse 28: “… who says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”  and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” Cyrus is mentioned over 20 times in God’s Word. He was the shepherd that the LORD used to conquer Babylon, and granted permission to the people of Israel to return from Babylon to Jerusalem in 538 BC.

It’s amazing to think that God can use each of us as a “shepherd” to His people, to guide, rebuild and establish His Kingdom here on earth. May we allow God to renew our hearts and souls to be transformed for a life of righteousness and holiness. May we explore the privilege of living ‘in and through Christ’ so that we can be filled with truth and wisdom – discovering the hidden treasures of a fruitful and abundant life! May we persevere as co-labourers, preparing the way for our Lord so that others may experience God’s redemption plan and the promise of eternity! God as our good Shepherd grants us divine power to accomplish His purposes according to our calling. Always remember… 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV): “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praising our Lord because we are sheep in the fold of JESUS. That means that we are secure, protected, cared for, encouraged, chosen, called and used for His eternal purposes.

Pray:

Father, we thank You that we can turn towards You as the Good Shepherd. We know Lord that You are the One that protects us,  guides us, and loves us. We just bring our wandering minds to You Lord. Our hearts are so troubled with everything that happens and is happening in the world. Jesus, You said that these things must come to pass. Why? Because a greater glory is coming. You are ready to come and take Your sheepfold, Your children, Your everything unto Yourself. I thank You Lord, that we have this hope that You are with us and that You care for us. We are safe, despite everything happening in the world. Our safety resides in the fact that You are good. You and the Father are One. You have called us unto Yourself and the Spirit testifies of this. We thank You for that Lord. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, we are so grateful for Your wonderful and generous transformational work within us, that You have done and continue to do. You created us to be like You in righteousness and holiness. Lord, may we share Your love, may we share Your life-giving transformation with the people around us. We praise You and love You and honour You Lord. We pray this in Jesus’ name.

Father, we just thank You for how much You love us. I pray for each of us, that that would be the focus every day.  Your love is vast and wide and high – and nothing can take it away. We ask that You would put in our hearts the desire to share with those we meet. Give us opportunities to share and speak of Your great love, and speak the truth. Give us courage and boldness. When we share (and maybe it doesn’t go as well as we would like), help us to love despite what is thrown at us. Help us to do good and bless, and help us to persevere and continue to walk in courage. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, thank You that You call us as labourers in Your kingdom. Thank You that it’s not for us to go and fight: You are the One that fights the battle. Lord, we pray that You will show us exactly where and how to dig in Your kingdom. We pray that You will help us to keep on digging even when we get tired. Thank You Lord, that You will set people free Lord. We are really in awe of what You are doing around the world, with soldiers and labourers in Your kingdom. We praise You in the name of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I don’t know who is listening to this message today, but I know that every single one of us needs wisdom and knowledge. We need Jesus.  I pray that we will stop, rest, and renew our minds according to the truth of who Christ is. Christ did not just die to forgive my sins (and there’s nothing greater than that), but to give me access to godliness and everything I need in Christ. I pray Lord that You will give us wisdom for our needs today. You are so faithful. Thank You that nothing – no situation – is excluded from the treasure that is in Christ. We love You Lord, and thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.

(This WRAP is with great appreciation to Barbara-Mari, Jack, Retha, Jackie and Denise)

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