DAILY BREAD OF LIFE

(KJV.)  ST. 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.

CARETAKERS, TAKE YOUR CARES

Brethren, as shepherds, anointed men and women of our Father, with spiritual gifts and talents to watch over , look after, guide congregations of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior;  few questions we need to ask ourselves are as follows;  as twenty-first century shepherds; What do we focus on most in our callings?  What are on lists of agendas to attend in the body of Christ?  What are our motives for service to him?  What do we prioritize over his will and purposes?  What matters most to Jesus Christ in our ministries?;  these are few points to ponder on!

As Shepherds let us have the interest of our congregation members at heart, seek ways and means to pray for them within and without worshipping hours, do outreach, visit the sick at home and in hospitals; for we cannot be sheperds without congregations, our callings are to take care of people first, while Jesus Christ takes care of our needs, let us have mindsets of keeping the souls before his presence, encourage and inspire them to know the essence of worshipping our Father;  he is aware of challenges we face in doing his will, and will step into our churches, intervene so long as we call upon his Holy Name, bring our problems before his mercy seat;  Jesus understands our warfares against the enemy in other to keep souls coming into his presence;  therefore, he will never leave his faithful shepherds alone, without strength to pesevere in prayers, for our Father is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, (Psalm 46:1);  therefore, if our Father be for us, who can come against us? (Romans 8:31); no one!  At times, we have to review ourselves to know if we have sidetracked from our duties and responsibilities as chosen servants of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior; correct and align ourselves with the Holy Spirit our guidance, do what we have to do faithfully, receive crown of glories in everlasting life.

 In the above text, Jesus referred to himself as the good shepherd; a good shepherd is a shepherd who is ethical, with moral standards considering affairs of other people, an enemy of evil works, very compassionate, willing to go above and beyond to help people in sufferings, always ready to sacrifice his needs to make other people comfortable; shepherds, do we possess these attributes? Jesus knows his sheep; are we sociable, lovable, kindhearted towards our congregations menbers? or do we walk away briskly after worship services, ignore people who we shepherd over?  let us get more involved with our congregational members, show that we care about them, as we care about them, they will inturn care about us and congregations as well;  if we love them, show that we are for them, they will stand together with us during downcasting moments;  therefore, let us care for the sheep diligently, this is what our callings are in the body of Christ;  though Jesus dead and rose again, ascended into heaven, he is still involve with affiars of souls on earth; for, he is seated on the right hand of our Father, pleading our trespasses before him, that the sheep given unto him but still on earth, walk in his righteousness into life forevermore.

CONCLUSION:

Dearly beloved, you may say that, I am not a shepherd, not called to take care of sheep;  wrong, all believers are shepherds over their own callings, if we are called to sing songs of praises in the house of our Father, that requires time and efforts to do the will of Jesus Christ;  therefore, let us give our best unto him;  likewise, if we are called as ushers, so on and so forth;  whatever our callings are in congregations over the world, Jesus requires believers to serve deligently in their callings, for there are greater rewards in heaven awaiting those who served deligently on earth;  if we do our best for him on earth, collectively, the body of Christ will attain its potential before second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to reconcile believers unto himself forever and evermore:  therefore, Sherpherds, shine forth!   Amen and Amen!

QUOTES OF THE DAY:

(KJV.)  Isaiah 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd:  he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.