Jesus is my Shepherd. I am not ashamed of being a sheep in His flock! It is the flock of the Almighty God! As I look around at the sheep in the flock, I see friends. We might not all have the same color fleece, but our hearts all belong to the Shepherd. When you are a part of this flock, it’s important to follow the Good Shepherd; He will never lead the flock into danger. There are dangers all around, but the sheep in the flock of the Almighty God are safe within His fold.
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
Does that bring you comfort? It should. A human shepherd will do everything in his power to protect his flock. The sheep are valuable.
When King David was young, he was a shepherd, and he learned much about protecting his flock from danger and providing for them. He had to fight wild animals to protect his flock, and he had to find food and water for them. Our Good Shepherd will guard us against a wolf in sheep’s clothing and false doctrine, and He will provide for our needs. One of the most beloved psalms talks of God as a shepherd.
“[[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
As we read through this psalm, we find peace and find comfort knowing that our Good Shepherd is watching over us. The psalm talks of lying down in green pastures and having all our needs filled by the shepherd. When we look at Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we can find peace that only comes from trusting Him in every situation.
As a member of the Flock of the Almighty, we need to follow our Good Shepherd. Too often, we think we know more about safety than Jesus, and try to be a part of the flock and a part of the world at the same time. That’s never a good idea; there’s danger in the world. When we give our life to Jesus, we need to repent and change our mind about what the world has to offer. Women need to dress modestly and be submissive to their husband.
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel” (1 Peter 3:1-3).
Of course, men are to behave properly, too. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25).
When God’s perfect order is followed, life runs smoothly. As soon as God’s ways are abandoned, chaos and madness prevail. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
The congregation in Corinth was a mess because they took pride in following the world instead of the Good Shepherd. If you find your life is full of unrest and chaos, it isn’t God who is causing it. Look to your attitudes and way of life. Prayerfully eliminate the things you do that aren’t pleasing to God. Then, repent and ask Him to forgive you.
The father of lies is behind the madness. His goal is to steal the sheep from the Good Shepherd and prevent others from joining the Flock of the Almighty. Jesus said this quite plainly.
“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”(John 10:10).
When the enemy comes into the flock, he comes for only one reason, and that is to destroy the sheep. Confusion is his tool. There are many false teachers standing in pulpits today, and the enemy has an easy time stealing the joy from the flock. Without a strong preacher who stands firmly upon God’s truth, the sheep wander. I saw this very clearly in a church I attended. God’s truth wasn’t preached in full, and the guidelines laid down by the Good Shepherd were ignored. Right now, it’s a dying church, and that’s very sad.
The enemy is destroying the sheep. Too many pastors tickle ears and only feed the sheep with milk, and nothing too deep; God’s truth is sacrificed in an attempt to appease the congregation. If the congregation won’t abide a full teaching of God’s word, maybe they aren’t really a part of the Flock of the Almighty and don’t love the Good Shepherd.
In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter said he did, and Jesus told him to “…feed my lambs” (John 21:15b).
It’s important to feed the lambs milk because it’s what they can digest, but they can’t live on milk forever. Lambs must grow into sheep. Jesus continued the conversation with Peter by telling him to feed the sheep. Sheep need more nourishing food to survive, but many pastors are still drinking milk themselves, so they can’t possibly feed sheep, just lambs. The joy is stolen, and the flock dies.
Many pastors refuse to teach Bible prophecy. It’s been estimated that about a third of Scripture is prophecy, so it seems as if God wants us to be aware of the times in which we live. Many Christians today are very fearful of what’s happening in the world. I’ll admit, it’s very unnerving. This is why we have prophecy. God foresaw the war in Iran, sexual perversion being made acceptable, abortion being considered a woman’s right, and so much more that’s happening today. He told us there would be wars, earthquakes, famine, etc. I was talking to a friend a few days ago, and she said God doesn’t want us to understand prophecy. Yes, she is a member of that dying church I mentioned. She’s only been fed milk.
The Apostle Paul didn’t waste time when he established a congregation. He taught all of God’s word immediately. He was in Thessalonica only three weeks, and by the time he moved on, they understood their need for salvation through Jesus, and also the Rapture. Then Satan crept into the congregation and began stealing their joy by telling lies and confusing them. They felt they had missed the Rapture because people were being persecuted and were dying. Instead of believing God’s truth, they allowed their joy to be stolen. The Pre-tribulation Rapture is a fact that is seen throughout Scripture, but doubt was placed in their minds. Paul wrote two letters and set them straight.
Unfortunately, that same lie is popping up today. Some teachers would have us believe that God will send Christians to face the final seven years of life on Earth. It’s known as the time of Jacob’s Trouble because it’s about Israel, not Christians. Christians have the Blessed Hope of the Rapture, which is when Jesus comes and takes us Home prior to God’s judgment. That doesn’t mean that we won’t see troubling times, and some of us may die first, but we won’t face God’s wrath.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).
Jesus will soon come to take us to His Father’s house, where He’s been preparing a place for us. Satan tries to steal our joy by whispering lies to make us doubt God’s truth. Study God’s word and believe Him.
If you do study prophecy, you know that it’s being fulfilled rapidly. There’s joy in knowing that very soon we will be with our Lord in the Mansions He is preparing for us. Judgment is coming, but it will come upon the unbelieving world, not those of us who are saved by grace through the Blood of Jesus. Time is running out, and instead of allowing Satan to kill your joy and confuse you, it’s time to witness to the unsaved. God is very patient.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, gave His life for the Flock of the Almighty, and all people have a choice whether to join the Flock and live eternally, or stay in the world and die. The world might look inviting, but there is only eternal death waiting for those who refuse to be a part of God’s Flock. He is waiting for one final person to come to salvation.
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25).
I’m praying for the salvation of some very dear people. My prayer is that they come to salvation before the Rapture happens. Maybe one of them will be the final one to make up the fullness of the Gentiles. Maybe it will be someone you are witnessing to and praying for. Don’t give up.
There is a method behind the madness in this world, and it’s Satan’s way of keeping Christians from being effective at bringing more sheep into the flock. If he can kill your joy and steal your hope, he can destroy your faith. Trust the Good Shepherd, and stay near to Him for protection.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).