Shepherd….

 Shepherds…

Over the years in various bodies of believer’s, we have had various pastors with various gifts….the gift I look for is “shepherding”….my question when seeking a new pastor or moving locations is, “ is he a shepherd?”. Do they or have they taken care of their “flock” ? Not hovering, or restraining the believers but, encouraging, building up, equipping to flock to grow spiritually in truth…

 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;he will gather the lambs in his arms;he will carry them in his bosom,and gently lead those that are with young.

Isa.40.11

As I thought about the shepherds coming to find the baby, Jesus, they came  quickly, with awe, seeking the Lamb of God…Christ the Lord…

 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Luke.2.8-18

These shepherds, diligently watching  their flocks by night, were awarded the sight of seeing the Baby first…announced by Angels…They were caring for their flock, making sure all was well, nurturing them, tending to the lambs, finding water, food, keeping them safe from predators….night and day…as good shepherds do…

what an honor…for diligence in shepherding…Seeing Jesus and telling others…

These shepherds, bowing down to the true Shepherd…what a picture…those who cared for the lambs, worshiping the Lamb of God…

Thank YOU….

 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.

John.10.14-15

 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Eph.4.11-16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8wlM8ZSovw

A fun video song…

https://www.maynardsgroovytunes.co.uk/video/letsgo