THE GOOD SHEPHERD

FAVORITES

John: 10: 1-18

Having inherited two lovely children from my marriage, I often wondered if I would love the two as much as my own, which I at some point would have.

When my daughter arrived, I joyfully discovered that I loved them as intensely as I loved the new arrival, yet UNIQUELY.

This discovery coincides with God’s ability to love us totally without taking any love away from His other children, for He loves every believer uniquely. Every believer who asks God for help, receives help as if there were no others needing His attention.

Jesus declares in John 10: He is the good shepherd who calls, cares for, and knows His own sheep by name and is known by them  (v3,11 & 14).

Jesus likens this shepherd-sheep relationship to the relationship He enjoys with His heavenly Father (v15).

How special we are to Him!

“To renew your love for Christ, review His love for you”.

ONE WHO RELENTS FROM DOING HARM - STORY OF JONAH

ONE WHO RELENTS FROM DOING HARM

Jonah chapters 3 & 4

Prophet Jonah was grieved by the grace of God. Now we at some point of our lives,  can relate to this on more than one occasion, cant we? God told Jonah to preach repentance to the Ninevites but he stood firm to the belief the wicked in that city deserved no less than destruction. It was common knowledge Nineveh was synonymous with brutality and cruelty.

So firm was his belief, he ran off from the given task, but this proved futile as God brought him into submission to His will by checking-in Jonah three nights in the belly of a large fish, presumably a whale.

In towing the line the unthinkable happened; The people of Nineveh repented. Now what comes after this is interesting, and I dare  not ask how many of us would have similarly reacted?

Jonah infuriated by the end result of repentance, poured out his frustration before God: “I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, One who relents from doing harm” (Jonah 4:2).

As Christians we do not do the obvious by blurting out condemnation towards others we feel deserving such, but we have the capacity to carry this out in not so many words.

Through our inactions, stubborness, denial-mode, prolonged silence towards a pressing issue and being oblivious.

Its easier to act as such when the prevalent issues involves us, our reputation, meaning our mistakes gets exposed in the process. Like Jonah in the beginning,  we will not proceed to execute the appropriate measures.

James Edwards in his book Divine Intruder, reminds us the story of Jonah ultimately points a finger at us. He asks, “Will we bind God by our judgements, or will we free God to transform our enemies – even ourselves by grace?”

It is in humility we should approach this God who is supremely gracious, merciful and slow to anger, having received such would in turn gladly relent from doing harm to others.

What are you running from today? What are the issues prevailing around you that refuses to go away? Are you in such a dilemma? If so could it be like Jonah you are on the run from addressing issues?

Did you know God calls us to reach out to the people we come into contact with , whom He longs to show His mercy and love through our lives.

Running away only gets you into the stenchful belly of a fish, and that is the aroma you will exude, but obedience brings you into the fragrant presence of the Living God.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

In Calgary , Alberta a 26-year-old mother stared downat her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.

Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination.

Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up &  fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible..the leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true.

She took her son' s hand and asked,
'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would  do with your life?'

Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman  when I grew up.'

Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can  make your wish come true.'

Later that day she went to her local fire  Department in Calgary, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Alberta

She explained her son's final wish and
asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

 

Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make  him an honorary Fireman for the whole day.  He can come down to the fire station, eat with us,  go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards!

And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy - one-with the emblem of the Calgary Fire Department on it, and a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy,  dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.

Billy got to sit on the back of the truck
and help steer it back to the fire station.  He was in heaven.  

There were three fire calls in Calgary that day  and Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines,
the Paramedic's' van,  and even the fire chief's car.

He was also videotaped for the
local news program.

Having his dream come true,
with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to  drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed  in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent  as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and  asked if it would be possible to send a fireman  in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, 'We can do better than that.   We'll be there in five minutes.. Will you please do me a favor?

When you hear the sirens screaming and see the  lights flashing, will you announce over the  PA system that there is not a fire?'

'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will  you open the window to his room?'

About five minutes later a
hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------
16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room

With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.  

 

With  his dying breath,
Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,   'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'

'Billy, you are, and  The Head Chief,
Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said

With those words, Billy smiled and said,  'I know, He's  been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been
singing...'

 

Billy closed his eyes

one last time

Jesus said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

When The Rechabites Are Our Yardstick.

Jeremiah (active late 7th-early 6th century B.C.) was one of the four major Jewish prophets. A priest from Anathoth, Israel, he is the reputed author of the Book of Jeremiah.

When The Rechabites Are Our Yardstick.

Jeremiah 35:12-19

Wine Skin

12 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: 13 "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell¹ the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson² and obey my words?' declares the LORD. 14 'Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command.³ But I have spoken to you again and again,⁴ yet you have not obeyed⁵ me. 15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets⁶ to you. They said, "Each of you must turn⁷ from your wicked ways and reform⁸ your actions; do not follow other gods⁹ to serve them. Then you will live in the land¹⁰ I have given to you and your fathers." But you have not paid attention or listened¹¹ to me. 16 The descendants of Jonadab son of Recab have carried out the command their forefather¹² gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.' 17 "Therefore, this is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster¹³ I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen;¹⁴ I called to them, but they did not answer.' "¹⁵ 18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Recabites, "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'You have obeyed the command of your forefather¹⁶ Jonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.' 19 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Jonadab son of Recab will never fail¹⁷ to have a man to serve¹⁸ me.' "

Although I have spoken to you……you did not obey Me (v14)

How often have you encountered  a person who has all the credentials of a believer, active in church, holds office and portray a measure of piety, previewing a fantastic first encounter impact, but  he or she has never met the Savior?

Jeremiah and the people of Judah had such an experience.

The Rechabites, a nomadic tribe during the era of the prophet Jeremiah received commendation by God for their steadfastness in observing laws passed down to them by their forefathers. In this case they were admonished to drink wine, and held firm to this and refused even when the prophet Jeremiah offered them (v 5&6).

These group of people has a tendency to observe a self instituted moral standards with religious fervor and consistency, more than Christians observe God’s statutes.

A Case Study:

Jim had been an avid witness for the Lord Jesus for over four decades, beginning from a very early age. Through the years he had enlarged his involvement in the ministry in diverse

para-church activities, evangelism, missions both within and beyond the shores of the country he hails from.

Often when permissible, he would attach himself to the local church fellowship both to impart and partake of the blessings of God through sharing of  experiences. However, Tony, a  figure in leadership in the group, took exception to seeing Jim’s presence. This was evident in the endless spirited yet sublime competitiveness, trying to out do the other from sharing a point, exerting influence, and at times failing to extend a cordial welcome to Jim.

All this took place, in-spite of the fundamental tenets of Christian harmony, welfare, respect and love being preached. But the show went on.

The belief in Tony to seek that extra edge, over one who has lengthier exposure and is a wealth of talent, probably useful even in a minute setting, was over-powering. Or worse still inferiority complex was his window to the world.

Tony was only titular, as far as Christ-likeness was concerned, and nothing more. The promise of enlargement of tent (family, work, ministry wise), breakthrough in the giftings, encouraging reports in the missions field  was evidently missing. Worse still the ones in his charge has much to lose and over the years appear stagnated.

Strangely, many a sermons, bible study and lessons at the house meetings would have touched on the standards of God, but Tony’s  fervency in maintaining his course with all the hallmarks of intense piety and beliefs, prevented him from seeing the  truth beyond the tip of his nose.

Today, whilst many unsaved people fervently uphold a set code of morals and customs, Christians on the other hand continue to flout God’s commands and ordinance with relative  ease.

Because of such disobedience, let it not be said of us that the “Rechabites” in our time and day are more faithful than we are.

Let us not have to hear God say to us,

“I am bringing upon Judah and upon all inhabitants of Jerusalem all the misery that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them, but they have not listened; I have called to them and they have not answered” Jer 35:17

Faith in Action Follows Obedience

Concerning Hannah - A Barren Womb

Concerning Hannah

Psalm 113:9 "He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD."

1 Samuel 1:1-20

¹ There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite^[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. ² He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

One can understand Elkanah’s frustration when he asked his wife Hannah, “Am I not better than ten sons?” He could not see Hannah’s woes, simply because his first wife Peninnah bore him children and that took care of his wholesome family concept. But Hannah was a different set of problems.

Try telling a 14 year old to enjoy “family time” playing board games at home on a weekend while his friends are all going for outdoor games!  Bet you, to him recognition by friends matters more.



Kids Playing



Its often said, a woman is difficult to gauge, and Elkanah’s failure to understand his wife Hannah  is no exception either.

She was struggling with more then her inability to bear a child. Being barren was seen as a scourge, a terrible predicament to endure in a closed society which  is  fiercely zealous and tradionally religious. Enduring the stress of provocation and distress was too much to handle (1 Samuel 1:16).

Because God has expressed His intent for a married woman to be with child.  I am drawn to the creation story in Genesis chapter One, whereby God after creating a particular subject  would conclude that event by saying, “and it was good.” There was no flaw in His plans and purposes.



New Arrival

Now when a woman experiences otherwise, it is not reflective that God was flawed in His creation, but something had to be done to undo this. Something else had occurred which has a direct implication on situations like this.

In this case Hannah’s rantings to her husband and her plea bargain, as it were, with God was that act of doing something to restore normalcy to what is not. The agony of her prayer in silence did not go unnoticed. Infact Eli the priest who was seated nearby thought she was drunk when he noticed her quivering mouth with no audible sounds. In 1 Samuel 1:14 Eli confronts her asking how long she would behave intoxicated.

This is the pressing-in the  prayer realm which drew the temple priest’s attention. Likewise we draw God’s attention when we press-in out of desperation and with a contrite spirit.

Barrenness today creates much problems and anxiety  in a marriage. Somehow a woman knows she was purpose built to bear children, and the absence of this results in untold miseries. The silent longings which cannot be replaced or substituted  is a rather wicked form of torture. The man she is married to is not spared from this agony either, simply because he becomes one flesh with her, Genesis 2:24.

Some would simply refuse to come to terms having given up hope trying all sort of available help medically or otherwise. Others have a false sense of acceptance being barren, living daily lives to the best of their abilities. Then there are those who put on a mask or find substitutes. Now this would constitute a form of escapism. But wait a minute, all these alternatives will not right the wrong and the issues will remain.  

When a root cause is not dealt with and uprooted, it creates multi facetted situations. Some of these will appear to have no links to the originals issue. You may say its psychosomatic, a situation whereby one appear to have flulike symptons, but  common cold is not the cause. (Diseases or sickness caused or aggravated by extreme or prolonged mental stress).

The symptons does not manifest the actual cause. In warfare the unseen enemy is the most dangerous, likewise  spiritually.

In my tent-making years, I have come across a number of couples in such predicaments, but one comes to mind rather distinctly. In a meeting amongst the body of believers, the wife publicly is critical of the husband and self. She would confess her preference of not wanting certain responsibilities or work requiring her to mingle with the masses. This is a form of escapism or running away without knowing from what. So much so she would initiate a job change if need be. At times the reverse happens when heartfelt compliments, a rather tear-jerker of a moment dampens the entire mood in the camp. There appear to be a deep knudging by both to overlay a deeper lack experienced with such untimely out of place, actions.

I sense bondage and it is apparent, the husband being entwined as one through the act of marriage, is subtly drawn into it. This is seen by his constant denial to a given responsibility, many a times wishing he could relinquish, offering  some kind of excuse or blame as to why he ended up in that role. He does not measure-up to a illusionary standard or measure.

All it takes is for the enemy to have a foothold to throw a spanner in the whole works.



Foetus in the womb



My take on this, is the actual cause of being childless, a departure from what is seen as the Godly norm, has a cause and effect on this couple. Inability to bear children is seen as a fault or handicap, best not talked about. What can be worse when in a church setting they are subject to hearing the word  of God to be fruitful and multiply.

Genesis 1:28 - God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Sweeping off the  prevalent  issue obscures our approach to other matters of daily living.

Matters are made worse  when subjects like this are rarely discussed openly in the Asian culture, and is deemed taboo, thus causing many couples to suffer in silence.

Hannah’s deep need was to have God’s approval. A childless woman  in her culture felt dishonored by God, because she thought He was denying her a part in fulfilling His promise of the Messiah.

The few other instances of barrenness and its dire effects in the history of mankind:

Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, married Rebekah. The Scriptures tell us in Genesis 25:21 that Isaac pleaded to the Lord for his wife who was barren. It was 20 years after their marriage that the Lord blessed Isaac and Rebekah with twin sons, Jacob and Esau. 

Isaac & Rebekah

The Scriptures do not tell us the name of Samson's mother, but she was childless until an angel appeared to the wife of Manoah promising a male child, a Nazarite, who would judge the children of Israel (Judges 13).



Samson



Jacob married sisters Rachel and Leah. Leah had six sons and a daughter, but the Lord had closed Rachel's womb. Rachel tried everything she could think of to have children. Once in anguish, she cried out to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die" (Genesis 30:1). Jacob in anger replied, "Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?" It wasn't until the Lord opened her womb that she bore Joseph and Benjamin. She died giving birth to Benjamin.



Rachel & Leah



King David married Michal (daughter of King Saul). The Bible tells us in 2 Samuel 6:23 that Michal never bore children.

Michal helps David escape

The Bible describes Elisabeth, the cousin of Mary who bore Jesus, as well-stricken in years and barren. She and her husband Zachariah had long already given up hope of ever bearing a child, when an angel appeared to Zachariah promising a son. That son was John the Baptist, the forerunner and greatest prophet who prepared the way for Jesus (See Luke 1 for the story.)

We know of Sarah trying to fix her problems by suggesting to Abraham to take Hagar  the maidservant for a wife. Look what that seemingly innocent act has produced. The Christians has the Ishmaelites (Moslems) as pretenders to the inheritance and this is the bone of contention on a global scale to this day.

Mary & Elisabeth



Sarai gives Hagar to Abram

Hannah was willing to give up her child (the one she so badly wants) to God’s service if only she could know that He hadn’t rejected her. The only way she purposed to know that God had not rejected her was to have the ability to be with child or reverse the state of bareness.

Fancy that, making a bargain with God to give her child while she was still barren. This kind of belief or faith is a trigger mechanism.  Her prayer was finally answered, and her heart overflowed with joy (2:1-10).

God summons Eli ‘s attention in answering the prayer. Upon realizing  her condition, he responds by saying, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel will grant you what you have prayed of Him”.



Hannah dedicating Samuel to the Lord's service

What we learn from this godly woman is, although human relationships are important, our critical need is to know that we have the approval and acceptance of God. He alone can satisfy our deepest needs. Like Hannah, the many couples in such predicament need to know of God’s approval and acceptance.

There is a need to sever and renounce the deep inner hurts and ancestral past. Thereafter, receive by faith His approval and acceptance. Seek counsel in your local church - NOW

For this to happen you need to adopt the pivotal act of pressing-in, like Hannah did until He takes notice.

“WHEN WE HAVE NOTHING LEFT BUT GOD,

WE’LL FIND THAT GOD ALONE IS ENOUGH”.



This could be you



Other links:http://www.tentmaker.org/inspirational/inspirational2.html

 ³ Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD. ⁴ Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. ⁵ But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. ⁶ Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. ⁷ This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. ⁸ Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

 ⁹ Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s house. ¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

 ¹² As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. ¹³ Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk ¹⁴ and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

 ¹⁵ “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. ¹⁶ Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

 ¹⁷ Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

 ¹⁸ She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

 ¹⁹ Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. ²⁰ So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,^[b] saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.”

REMEMBERING GOD’S GOODNESS IS A CURE FOR DOUBT

PSALMS 77:11 – I WILL REMEMBER THE WORKS OF THE LORD

Since 1970 Ronald Dunn has been keeping a log of all the answered prayers and special blessings. He misplaced the book only to discover it years later, at a time his faith was floundering.

As he was reading most of the forgotten incidences he had written, something happened. His memory of God’s faithfulness was revived and his  sagging faith was restored. Just remembering had done that.

I encourage you to do likewise, keep an entry of all the times God has answered you and of all the marvelous things He has done.

It may mean the difference between Victory and Defeat.

In Psalm 77, Asaph’s faith was also floundering, so much so he questioned if God had abandoned him and stopped being gracious (v9)

Suddenly he stopped and declared he will remember the years of God’s right hand and the wonders of old (v10-11).

In these days, every professing believer who succumbs to a sudden and savage assault of the evil, often obscuring the faithfulness of God in one’s life, in the process wiping out the memory thereof, must avail time to remember His faithfulness, be grateful, practice regular worship with thanksgiving, dwell on His word in search of more of Him, and live a life of faith –simple mustard seed faith.

When faith grows weak and doubts arise,

Recall God’s love and tender care,

Remind yourself of all He’s done,

And of those times He answered prayer – De Haan

Why not create you own journal of remembrance, recording God’s wonderful works? Read it often , especially on days of doubt.

Psalm 77^[a]

    For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

 ¹ I cried out to God for help;
   I cried out to God to hear me.
² When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
   at night I stretched out untiring hands,
   and I would not be comforted.

 ³ I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
   I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.^[b]
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
   I was too troubled to speak.
⁵ I thought about the former days,
   the years of long ago;
⁶ I remembered my songs in the night.
   My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

 ⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?
   Will he never show his favor again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
   Has his promise failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?
   Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

 ¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
   the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
¹² I will consider all your works
   and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

 ¹³ Your ways, God, are holy.
   What god is as great as our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles;
   you display your power among the peoples.
¹⁵ With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
   the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

 ¹⁶ The waters saw you, God,
   the waters saw you and writhed;
   the very depths were convulsed.
¹⁷ The clouds poured down water,
   the heavens resounded with thunder;
   your arrows flashed back and forth.
¹⁸ Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
   your lightning lit up the world;
   the earth trembled and quaked.
¹⁹ Your path led through the sea,
   your way through the mighty waters,
   though your footprints were not seen.

 ²⁰ You led your people like a flock
   by the hand of Moses and Aaron